Study in England/"Year Abroad" Questions!
 

Hi! I hope I can get some ideas and expertise here. My daughter's heading to Leeds, England for the 2002-03 school year starting this September and I have two questions. The big one is,<BR><BR>(1)What about plane tickets? Our travel agent gave us a choice of an open ticket (at twice the cost of a regular fare in tourist season), or a one way ticket. I can't imagine the UK would be awfully pleased with the one way ticket and I can't understand why, knowing the exact return date in 10 months, we can't get a round trip ticket? (I'm not asking the travel agent b/c she and I literally don't speak the same language. Dh does, but he couldn't get an answer either.)<BR><BR>She'll be flying out of either ON, Canada or MI, USA (we live near the border).<BR><BR>(2)What to pack? What to buy in Leeds? She'll be staying in a self-catering residence. Weight going over will not be as big a problem as it could be b/c some of the family will be going over in August and can take a few things. When travelling, we usually take one carry on and never use nearly our full baggage allowance. Cost is a major consideration.<BR><BR>Thanks any one for your ideas.<BR><BR>muumi

muumi: Unfortunately I can't help much with the tix questions? (The only time I went for an extended time was for a 2 year stay that turned into 5 years so R-T wasn't possible). Since then all of my trips have been 7 weeks or less.<BR><BR>As for what to take - advise her not to take any of her small applainces -- hair dryer, curling iron, electric toothbrush, iron, etc. She could use adaptor plugs if the appliances are daual voltage - but they won't work as well and very likely will burn out. She probably won't need an iron since she is in self-catering but she should budget to buy a hairdryer curling iron, etc. after she is there. Boots, Dixons and a lot of other chains will have what she needs.<BR><BR>She won't need many of her summer clothes until next spring so have her take mostly warmer things. There will probably be some nice weather in Sept and Oct. but after that it will be cool/cold/wet or even snowy. Then next year she can ship the winter stuff home and you can send her what she wants for warm weather clothes.

Since she's going with a student visa a one-way ticket should be fine, but that usually works out more expensive than a round-trip. Why not purchase a round-trip for 1 or 2 weeks after her departure date and disgard the unused portion. When it's time for her to return let her purchase a ticket from the UK and do the same thing.

I think that a roundtrip tkt is only good for 180 days--ie 6 months.<BR>Check with any airline's international desk and they can answer the question.<BR>If she is going with a school group,aren't they taking care of the airline tkts?<BR><BR>The cheapest route would be to ask your TA for get you a one way using a consolidator in the US-that is way cheaper than a standard tkt from the airline....

Its been 10 years, but I spent my junior year at the University of Sussex. From Houston, I purchased a roundtrip ticket to Gatwick leaving the end of September and returning the following July for $600 through Council Travel. During my student years I had lots of success with them for cheap student tickets. She could always change her return date for a fee, if needed. If your travel agent is trying to tell you that you can't get a RT ticket, I'd abandon the agent and go online for your tickets or contact the airlines directly. At the very least, find a new travel agent.<BR><BR>Your daughter will be severely limited by space, even with your assistance. I brought my comforter and sheets and towels, and bought a pillow there. Other items I purchased once there: a pot and pan, a few dishes and some silverware and glasses, a radio/cd player, alarm clock, light and hairdryer. I'd bring as many clothes as you can manage. I'd also suggest buying a huge travel backpack - she'll have long holiday breaks, usually 3 weeks in December and 6 weeks in March-April, which are perfect for backpacking around Europe. <BR><BR>I was in a flat with five others - some already owned a microwave and toaster and television. We all had to split the television and telephone fees. I seem to recall the license for the tv was something like 150 pounds a year and the license for the phone about half. We had gone the cheap option on the phone and couldn't dial out, but we could receive calls and that was a huge help. Some British residents may be able to shed more light on these costs for you.<BR><BR>One final note: your daughter will need to spend a lot more time than you and the rest of your family going through customs, so don't be too suprised if you're separated for a while. When my dad did the same with my brother, my brother took an extra 1 1/2 hours - plan on a meeting place, because they won't let you accompany her. Students have to have medical exams at the airport and meet with the police as part of the arrival process. I'd imagine that security is even stricter these days.<BR><BR>Good luck and wish your daughter a great time!

I just did some quick online research. British Airways will let you book R/T leaving in September and currently returning in April 2003. The main problem is that the airlines never book more than 11 months ahead, because their computers cna't handle having "May" for 2002 and 2003 - a problem I've run into when trying to book my frequent flyer tickets as early as possible. <BR><BR>If you wait 6 weeks or so you should be able to get the r/t ticket you need with the correct return date.

I also did study abroad as a college student. I was told you can NOT buy a one-way ticket. You need to have a return ticket. I bought one for the intended date of return to the US, buit wound up changing it. It only cost about $50.<BR>Also, make sure your daughter has her acceptance letter from the university with her. She will NOT be allowed in if she does not have proof she is a student. This is directly from the university I went to in England. <BR>You might also need to have proof from your local bank that you won't be a burden on England. You might need to show you have enough money to support yourself while studying there.<BR>As for what to take... I took two suitcases jam-packed with clothes... a carry-on and a backpack. She should bring pictures from home... a map of her home city.. and a good calling card. If you have any more questions... i'd be happy to answer.

Muumi<BR>The institution your daughter is studying at should be fully signed up to a Code of Practice for International Student Recruitment, which includes providing proper induction/welfare information covering most of the points you raise (other than getting the tickets). My guess is that they are getting the information booklets ready even now, but the admissions or recruitment office at the institutions concerned should be able to answer your questions and may be put you in touch with someone who's studying there now or did so recently.

Annalyn's advice sounds good.<BR>Clothes cost more in the UK than in the US. So do books.<BR>Doug

My daughter's junior year abroad involved living in a student residence, so I'll not be able to address all your concerns.<BR><BR>Your daughter's U.S. university study abroad office may be able to provide a suggested packing list. In addition to her own 'must-haves,' include rain gear, some thin (not bulky) wool layers, one outfit (skirt, maybe?) that could be a dressier choice. Try to get her to think of how &gt;little&lt; she must have; simplifying really does make things easier...<BR><BR>As Annalynn suggested, make one piece of her luggage a backpack, for those weekends and term breaks. <BR>Consider making a sleep-sack--a full- or queen-sized sheet, folded in half length-wise, and stitched along the bottom and half-way up the open side. Just the thing to take along to hostels so she won't have to pay extra for linen rental (and handy for guests, or to use as a spread).<BR>

I'm sure that Patrick is right and that your daughter will receive an information pack from Leeds. In the meantime, there is information specifically for students from North America at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/students/study-abroad/jya/index.htm<BR>

Thanks to everybody who so thoughtfully responded. There were some things mentioned that we had considered and some that we were really surprised to discover. The "more time to clear customs" was a real shocker. It wasn't in the university info (rec'd nothing from Leeds yet but have a general brochure on study in UK) and since dd is the most Arabic looking in a Eurasian family, and tends to get frisked, made to take out her braids for search etc. in foreign travel -- and Britain is the worst -- I anticipate we ought to make plans to do something else for awhile... Thanks again everyone!

I spent a summer working in England, and used a one-way ticket. No problem at all on the way over, but I was questioned for about 20 minutes at Heathrow on the way BACK to the US about why I had come over on a one-way ticket. Go figure. And I have a valid work visa and all, so they didn't care.<BR><BR>Don't go looking for Council Travel--they recently went bankrupt.<BR><BR>Maybe you should use a travel agent who speaks your language.

I am studying at the University of Wales College, Newport for the 2002-2003 school year. Have any of you heard anything about this university? All of your info has been great. I did notice that Annalynn mentioned a medical exam at the airport. Exactly what kind of exam are we talking about? This is the first I have heard of this. Thanks!