Study Abroad in Scotland
#2
Waterproof and a couple of warm sweaters, good sturdy shoes. (Not just trainers) and plug adapters. Most anything else just you would have/ use at home.
Don't bring a hair dryer or curling iron/flat iron . . . Buy those when you get to the UK.
Don't bring a hair dryer or curling iron/flat iron . . . Buy those when you get to the UK.
#3
A sense of humour and exploration.
Tell your bank that you are coming and see if they can get you a PIN triggered credit/bank card and if possible with "contactless" features though this is not vital.
Tell your bank that you are coming and see if they can get you a PIN triggered credit/bank card and if possible with "contactless" features though this is not vital.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
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You'll have a great time - it's a very special place. There's a very sizeable US student community at the University, but if you make an effort to meet people from all over the world you'll benefit more from the very cosmopolitan - and sociable - atmosphere. There are several unique traditions - including the infamous Raisin Monday:-
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...nday&FORM=IGRE
In terms of stuff to bring, a big yes to waterproof jacket and boots (maybe trousers as well!). An umbrella is a waste of time as it's usually windy in this part of the world. There are several outdoor clothing shops - as well as other shops servicing the university community - in town however if you want to buy things on arrival.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...nday&FORM=IGRE
In terms of stuff to bring, a big yes to waterproof jacket and boots (maybe trousers as well!). An umbrella is a waste of time as it's usually windy in this part of the world. There are several outdoor clothing shops - as well as other shops servicing the university community - in town however if you want to buy things on arrival.
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
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You can buy plug adapters for US appliances here in the UK too, but it's wise to have at least one to start with. Just buy a simple US > UK adapter — those universal adapters are a waste of money.
Good advice from janisj about leaving your 110V hair dryers and curlers at home. Also be careful what devices you use the plug adapters with, as they don't change the voltage. Most cellphones, computer and camera chargers, etc are rated 100-240 V 50/60 Hz, and can be safely plugged into the wall sockets with an adapter, <i>but you have to check the specs to make sure.</i>
Plug a 110V only device into a 220V socket and it will burn out instantly. I don't like the voltage converters/transformers sold in some travel stores, because they gradually ruin your appliances. There are heavy duty voltage transformers we American expats use here in the UK, but they are too heavy for travel. Best advice from me: anything that takes 110V only should be left at home!
Good advice from janisj about leaving your 110V hair dryers and curlers at home. Also be careful what devices you use the plug adapters with, as they don't change the voltage. Most cellphones, computer and camera chargers, etc are rated 100-240 V 50/60 Hz, and can be safely plugged into the wall sockets with an adapter, <i>but you have to check the specs to make sure.</i>
Plug a 110V only device into a 220V socket and it will burn out instantly. I don't like the voltage converters/transformers sold in some travel stores, because they gradually ruin your appliances. There are heavy duty voltage transformers we American expats use here in the UK, but they are too heavy for travel. Best advice from me: anything that takes 110V only should be left at home!
#7
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<<What sorts of things should I make sure to bring with me?>>
These:
http://www.wineenthusiast.com/glassw...ey-glasses.asp
These:
http://www.wineenthusiast.com/glassw...ey-glasses.asp
#8
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Of course it will depend on your living situation but ... the biggest hassle our daughter had at St A's was carrying food home from the store. It can be a bit of a hike from the four grocery stores to residence.
If you have a favourite carry bag at home you might want to bring it.
If you have a favourite carry bag at home you might want to bring it.
#11
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From my experience in this very business, I'm sure St Andrews will be providing plenty of information and advice:
https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/s...t-handbook.pdf
https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/s...t-handbook.pdf
#12
Join Date: Jan 2007
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check out the BritRail Youth Pass - valid for 2 months for X number of days I believe- great for spur of moment weekend or vacation trips and also the National Express Bus passes -buses are cheaper but often take much longer. Buy before you leave if want or order online - traditionally not generally for sale in UK except perhaps BTA in London.
London is about 5 hours by train and there are also overnight trains on that route.
For lots about UK trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
London is about 5 hours by train and there are also overnight trains on that route.
For lots about UK trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
#13
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"London is about 5 hours by train..."
More like 7 hours door to door, as I think you're aware the nearest station to St Andrews is at Leuchars. In any case why on earth would someone want to spend time and money going to a dump like London when you have St Andrews, the Fife coast and Edinburgh on your doorstep.
More like 7 hours door to door, as I think you're aware the nearest station to St Andrews is at Leuchars. In any case why on earth would someone want to spend time and money going to a dump like London when you have St Andrews, the Fife coast and Edinburgh on your doorstep.
#14
Join Date: Dec 2005
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It isn't what you take over; it's what you bring home!
Our daughter came home from a year at Uni in Edinburgh with a boyfriend. They have now been married twenty years.
It wasn't in any of the brochures.
Our daughter came home from a year at Uni in Edinburgh with a boyfriend. They have now been married twenty years.
It wasn't in any of the brochures.
#15
Useful things to study...
http://www.scotranslate.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_in_Scotland
http://www.sirc.org/publik/ptpchap1.html
http://wikitravel.org/en/Fife
http://www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk/
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...ife/index.html
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/sho....php?t=1223548
Jogging route: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-7Vu7cqB20
http://www.scotranslate.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_in_Scotland
http://www.sirc.org/publik/ptpchap1.html
http://wikitravel.org/en/Fife
http://www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk/
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...ife/index.html
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/sho....php?t=1223548
Jogging route: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-7Vu7cqB20
#16
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"London is about 5 hours by train...">
ah yes I was thinking from Edinburgh.
For London from St Andrews you yes take a bus to Leuchars train station and hop train over the famous Firth of Forth cantilevered bridge over the Firth to Edinburgh-changing there for London. Taking the overnight train one way could be utilitarian time-wise and an adventure - especially if you have traveling companions and get a private cabin and bring any food or drink aboard.
Again if traveling around the UK on breaks on trains or buses look at the youthpasses for trains and bus.
ah yes I was thinking from Edinburgh.
For London from St Andrews you yes take a bus to Leuchars train station and hop train over the famous Firth of Forth cantilevered bridge over the Firth to Edinburgh-changing there for London. Taking the overnight train one way could be utilitarian time-wise and an adventure - especially if you have traveling companions and get a private cabin and bring any food or drink aboard.
Again if traveling around the UK on breaks on trains or buses look at the youthpasses for trains and bus.
#20
Join Date: Jan 2003
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>>Just confirming that a student visa would not be required for this (unlike a Schengen university).<<
If you mean you think a US student doesn't need prior entry clearance before arriving to take up a place at a British university, this appears to be the case for a course of six months or less (but you need to bring the relevant documentary evidence to show immigration on arrival), but not for longer courses, for which US students would indeed need a visa.
https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immi.../student-visas
But be aware that, for some bizarre reason, this government and its predecessor seems obsessed with the idea that overseas students should count against its self-imposed (and impossible) target maximum number of immigrants, and the idea is now being floated that student permits are the easiest target for getting the numbers down. This would mean closer checks by the government on institutions they consider to be less than reliable in managing overseas student registrations, at the very least; whether that translates into more bureaucratic hurdles for individual students either on arrival or beforehand, is not yet clear.
If you mean you think a US student doesn't need prior entry clearance before arriving to take up a place at a British university, this appears to be the case for a course of six months or less (but you need to bring the relevant documentary evidence to show immigration on arrival), but not for longer courses, for which US students would indeed need a visa.
https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immi.../student-visas
But be aware that, for some bizarre reason, this government and its predecessor seems obsessed with the idea that overseas students should count against its self-imposed (and impossible) target maximum number of immigrants, and the idea is now being floated that student permits are the easiest target for getting the numbers down. This would mean closer checks by the government on institutions they consider to be less than reliable in managing overseas student registrations, at the very least; whether that translates into more bureaucratic hurdles for individual students either on arrival or beforehand, is not yet clear.