icusu freshers' guide
DESCRIPTION
The Freshers' Guide for International Students from Cambridge University Students' Union.TRANSCRIPT
www.international.cusu.cam.ac.uk
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Congratulations! You have made your way to one of the best universities on this planet!
In the next 3-4 years, you are going to make some of the best memories of your life. You are going to meet and make friends with awesome people and join events that you have never done before. Obviously, you will also be working hard (I mean really hard) for your exams. These experiences will be unforgettable and you will look back at them with smiles and laughter.
But it is never easy to live and study in a completely new environment. You might feel homesick and lonely for a while before getting used to and enjoy your life here at Cambridge. Don’t worry!!! We all felt the same. We all have been through this. I can still remember how nervous and frightened I was six years ago when I first came to the UK by myself at the age of 14.
iCUSU is the university society ran by internationals, for internationals, and it is always ready to help you.
In this guide, you will find:
• Information on how to start your life at Cambridge
• A checklist for things we recommend you to prepare before coming to the UK
• Information on how to start at Cambridge
• Instructions on how to get registered with the police
• A detailed plan for international freshers’ week
• Introductions for events that iCUSU will be organising throughout the forthcoming academic year We look forward to seeing you in the International Freshers’ Week.
Torrey CheniCUSU Chair 2014-2015
Welcome from iCUSU
a great way to find new friends
very useful!
To receive updates and event information from iCUSU, simply send a blank email to [email protected] when you get your cam address (hermes) , or sign up when we first greet you at the coach or train station at Cambridge.
Freshers Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/camfresher2014/
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Chair: Torrey Email: [email protected]
Hi everyone, my name is Torrey, a third year economist from Queens’ College. I lived in Beijing for 14 years before coming to the UK for GCSEs and A Levels. Congratulations to all of you for joining us at Cambridge! I am the incoming Chair of iCUSU, responsible for the general management of the society and our relationship with all other international societies. This year, we have planned many interesting activities to make your life here more exciting! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding anything (literally anything!).
Vice Chair: Claire Email: [email protected]
Hi I’m Claire, a third year Undergraduate doing Education with Physical Sciences from Homerton College. Congratulations to you all for coming to Cambridge! Hopefully you can enjoy various things going on in Cambridge and all the activities carried out by iCUSU this year. Feel free to contact us if there is anything you wanna say about iCUSU :)
Publicity Officer: Michael Email: [email protected]
I’m Michael Zhang, third year Mathematician from Queens College. I’m your Publicity Officer. Here at iCUSU, one of our aims is to provide all the students (not restricted to internationals) with information about news and events regarding the celebration of international culture at Cambridge. We will try our best to make this process more efficient and effective for all of you in the coming academic year. Also, I’m happy to include some information about your society events in our weekly newsletter. Any suggestions of possible improvements will be hugely appreciated.
Secretary: Cherry Email: [email protected]
HELLO, I’m Cherry, a third year mathmo at Newnham. I lived in China before coming to the UK four years ago. Starting a new life in a foreign country was challenging, but in Cambridge I met the friendliest people ever. Many a time, chatting with friends over a cup of tea simply drove away all the troubles. As a secretary, I am responsible for taking minutes at meetings, organising elections and assisting other committee members when needed. If you are interested in joining the committee next year, feel free to talk to me. Hope you enjoy our events!
Your CUSU International Committee 2014-15Executive Committee
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Social Officer: Eve E-mail: [email protected]
Hi everyone! I am your new Social Officer, 3rd year Engineer from Downing College. Remember to come and enjoy all the upcoming iCUSU events ^_^ Hope we will have a fantastic year together!
College Coordinator: Rebecca E-mail: [email protected]
Hi everyone! I am Rebecca, the College Coordinator of iCUSU. It’s my responsibility to liaise with iReps from each college regarding our events and any issue related to international students. I was born in Guangzhou and only came to UK for university. I love travelling and meeting people from all over the world. It’s very lucky of me to have friends from different countries in my uni life. I hope to contribute to our student community, as a member of iCUSU committee, by making it even more diverse and inclusive!
Society Coordinator: DanE-mail: [email protected]
Hi I am Dan Cao, a third year LandEc from Jesus College! As the international societies coordinator, I am responsible for liaising with international societies and helping organising joint societies events. Hope you have enjoyed Cambridge so far and stay tuned for more fun international events!
Access Officer: Laura (Xiaoyu) E-mail: [email protected]
Hi, I’m Laura, a third year economist from Magdalene and I’m the Access Officer this year. I was born in China and went to Singapore for my education. Coming from an Asian background, I have met many intellectually bright people who would have come to Cambridge if they were aware of such opportunities in their university application process. I am honoured to be this year’s Access Officer and to be able to be involved in helping them by providing more comprehensive application information. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or ideas regarding the access campaign.
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Welfare Officer: Xiangyu E-mail: [email protected]
Greeting guys!! I’m Lyndon, a third year Engineer at Churchill College. It will definitely be a great experience to be the Welfare Officer of ICUSU. I am the only undergraduate coming from the JiangXi Province in China but my father works in Hong Kong. My background enables me to understand cultures of different places and allows me to see different perspectives.
My life in Cambridge started with the events organised by ICUSU, which included pub crawl, punting tour and the international food festival. These were great days and helped me to quickly settle down and adapt to the life here. I really appreciate how ICUSU benefitted me and so I will fully commit my third year to this great society.
As a committee member, if you have any concerns or would like to know more about cambridge at any time, please feel free to contact me. I am always happy to have a chat with you! Come to our event and enjoy yourself. Wish you an excellent year!!
Freshers’ Officer: Nat (aka Preaw)E-mail: [email protected]
Hi, I’m Nat (but for some weird cultural reason Thai people call me Preaw). I answer to both. As I mentioned, I am Thai, doing Chemical Engineering and this is my 2nd year at Emmanuel college, Cambridge. I am the incoming freshers’ officer, so if you have any problems at all or simply want to say hi, don’t hesitate to contact me :D
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Calvin
My name is Calvin. I’m a third year Economist at Clare College. I’m from Burma, and have lived in Burma and Thailand before coming to Cambridge. I’m one of the 5 members of the General Committee at iCUSU. We play a role in supporting the executive committee with various tasks, such as planning and supervising the events for the International Freshers’ Week.
Satowa
Hi, I’m Satowa, a second year Natural Scientist at St John’s, and I’m excited to be one of your iCUSU General Committee members this year!
I was born in Japan but moved to the U.S. when I was five, where I lived and studied, before coming over to the U.K. for university last year. While this dual background can sometimes be a source of identity crises, I have also come to appreciate being able to see different perspectives and diverse cultures.
Now having a year behind my back, I can also understand (and clearly remember) both the challenges and opportunities of being an international student at Cambridge. As a committee member, I want to make your transition to Cambridge as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns, or even just to have a chat, and hope to see you atour events!
Laura
Hey! I’m Laura and I’m a Spanish second year HSPS student at Downing. Coming from a very sunny and arguably relaxed place, I understand that the transition from home to the hectic life of Cambridge Uni can be difficult and exhausting. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns you may have in your process of settling into Cambridge, or that may arise throughout the year. Especially, I aim to be a source of support for any European student that needs information or help with Erasmus, health cards or any general admin or welfare issue that may arise. Welcome to Cambridge!
Biko
Hey! I’m Biko. I am in second year, studying Psychological and Behavioural Science (PBS) at Murray Edwards College. I’m half Japanese and half Chinese, and went back and fourth between these countries before coming to Cambridge. I’m one of the 5 members of the General Committee at iCUSU (also International rep at my college, international love! xx). We attend all the meetings, give our own opinions on various issues, and support the executive committee. I don’t have any specific role, but would like to get as much involved and do my best to help out others in the committee!
General Committee
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International Fresher’s Week and EventsGive yourself a head start! Explore the city and make new friends.
Each of your colleges will give you different dates to arrive, but we recommend coming earlier if you are an international student. Give yourself plenty of time to set yourself up with a mobile phone, a bank account, GP registration, police officer registration and other Cambridge essentials, as well as make new friends around the university!
Our Freshers’ Week will start on Monday 29th September featuring eight main events.
iCUSU committee members will be there when you first arrive: Look out for blue iCUSU hoodies- members of the committee will be there to welcome you between 11am and 5pm everyday near the beginning of International Freshers’ Week. They will be able to give you directions or help you with booking a taxi. If you have registered online, you will also be able to get the international fresher’s pack on the spot!
Also, don’t forget to check the newly introduced iTaxi website. This allows you to share a taxi with people arriving the airport at similar times with you. This will make your travel so much easier and cheaper! More information can be found on page 18 of this guide.
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Fresher’s Week HighlightsFreshers’ Squash Wednesday 1st October: 14:00 – 16:30(Union’s Building Blue Room )
Come join us for a chilled afternoon of socialising and meeting your fellow international freshers. The iCUSU committee will be on hand for any questions you may have as well!
Pub Quiz Wednesday 1st October: 18.30(venue TBC)
Come and join us for an evening of random questions and good food, learning more about Cambridge. Show off your worldly knowledgeand learn some cool facts.
Morning Punting(online registration required, please checkyour email for registration link)
Thursday 2nd October: 10:00 – 13:00(College Backs – exact meeting point TBA)
Punting is a must for everyone coming to Cambridge. That’s why we are offering apunting tour, during which you will be able to discover the college backs and learn a bit oftheir history and some anecdotes!
Informal DinnerThursday 2nd October: 18:30(venue TBC)
Informal dinner is an opportunity for you to chat with the freshers as well as the committee members in a more laid back atmosphere.
Garden Party (BBQ served)(online registration required - Jesus Green)
Friday 3rd October: 2pm-4pm
Why not join us for a BBQ in a beautiful park, make new friends and enjoy a relaxing afternoon?
Late afternoon Punting(online registration required, please check your email for registration link)
Friday 3rd October 4pm – 6pm(College Backs – exact meeting point TBA)
For those who could not make it to our previous punting event or who want to experience punting through river Cam in the afternoon, we are offering a late afternoon punting event that should not be missed!
Pub CrawlFriday 3rd October 7pm – 10pm
Get to know Cambridge by learning where the finest pubs are! The Eagle is certainly a must! Come and join us on the Pub Crawl, where you can chat to whoever you like in a more laid back atmosphere.
ClubbingStraight after the Pub Crawl
We shall finish our International Freshers’ Week with a wild party! Who can resist?
CUSU Fresher’s Festival Tuesday 7th October, 10:00 – 17:00 &Wednesday 8th October, 10:00 – 17:00(Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre and Parker’s Piece)
Find us at the iCUSU booth at the Societies’ Fair for information about our events in the coming term, get our goodies, or just to say hi!
Further details will be published online closer to date! Visit www.international.cusu.cam.ac.uk/freshersweek/
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iCUSU Events 2014-15World Food Festival(St. Andrew’s Church. 1st of November)
Come and immerse yourself in a wide variety of international culinary delights, courtesy of the Cambridge University International Societies. Join us at St. Andrew’s Church for a day of eating great food and talking to amazing people from different backgrounds. Tickets to be sold in advance.
iCUSU World Cup(Lent Term, Venue and Date TBC)
Our annual football tournament in which International Societies compete for the “Team of the Year” award. This event usually happens at the end of Lent term, when the weather is hopefully nice and sunny. Bring along some mates, either to play or simply to support your team! Guaranteed fun.
iCUSU International Talents Show West Road Auditorium, 9th of March 2015)
This is a brand new event and is set to be the highlight of the iCUSU academic year!
This event, at the end of Lent term, will be a showcase of the wide variety of international talents in Cambridge: singing, dancing, acting… and many more. Everyone is welcome in a night where we will show what it is that makes our multicultural university community so diverse, yet united. All profits go to charity. The event is open both to members and non-members of Cambridge University.
Auditions will be held to perform in this event – keep your eyes open for this! Your International Societies will also keep you updated.
International Swaps(Colleges, throughout the year)
These swaps are aimed at getting international students from different countries to mix and match with other international societies and strengthen the community feeling of international students in the University.
Club Nights Watch out for events with special discounts and privileges for our International Students! Keep your Facebook updated to avoidmissing out!
World Food Festival
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Huntingdon NHS Treatment Centre, Hinchingbrooke Park, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 6NTDental Services, Princess of Wales Hospital, Lynn Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB6 1DN
An attractive smile with well-aligned, healthy teeth can be achieved at any age.
New technology and the appeal of discreet Invisalign aligners have made adulttreatment the fastest growing area in orthodontics.
We offer FREE ADULT ASSESSMENTS, which include a recommended treatment planand quotation. At Anglia Orthodontics, COMPLIMENTARY TOOTH WHITENINGcompletes your course of treatment.
Telephone: 01223 305526
Your smile is unique andmakes an immediate andmemorable first impression
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What to packHere are some tips for what to pack and wear for the Cambridge weather.
Cambridge is one of the driest cities in the UK, which unfortunately doesn’t mean sunny weather (although there are occasional heatwaves). It tips down with rain at the slightest opportunity, or remains cloudy utmost. Despite this, it’s still a great place to live in as long as you are prepared for it!
Michaelmas termMichaelmas begins with lovely autumn weather which means you will still be able to punt for 2 weeks or so. By the end of October, it rapidly gets colder. If you’re staying over Christmas Holidays, be prepared for snow and icy roads! Temperature during term varies but tends to be between 0 and 16 °C/ 32-61°F without wind chill.
Lent termLent brings some glorious sunny mornings – though do be aware that it is still rather chilly. By the end of term, it is distinctly warmer and summer clothes can be spotted. The Easter Holiday is the best time to travel within the UK if you wish to explore! Temperature: 8 to 16°C / 18 to 61°F
Easter termDuring the summer weeks, it tends to be warm and sunny which provides an opportunity for punting, cricket, croquet, tennis etc. Nevertheless do look out for the occasional cool and wet days. Temperature: 10-25°C/ 50- 77°F
You can find current (and past) conditions at http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2653941
What to wear FootwearComfortable and waterproof shoes are highly recommended, as walking in the rain and snow can lead to damp, sore feet in the winter. It is a good idea for women to bring some flatheeled shoes, as the heels can sometimes get stuck in the cobblestones on the streets. Boots are recommended for the cold and wet winter.
ClothingBe sure to bring lots of warm clothing for the cold and windy weather! A winter coat is essential - preferably waterproof. Gloves and scarves are useful, especially if you plan on cycling, though you might want to purchase a college scarf (available from Ryder & Amies) instead.
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What to bringEssentialsAs said above, warm clothes are a must. Don’t forget your legal documents for study (UCAS number, Passport, health documents etc.). It’s usually helpful to have a laptop, but this is by no means essential or compulsory (the colleges always have well- equipped computer labs). For more detailed information, check out the CUSU Survival Guide or information provided by your college.
Other optional itemsIt’s best not to bring crockery, cutlery, and kitchenware if you’re flying, as they’re heavy and easily available in Cambridge. If you’re bringing kitchen appliances (e.g. rice cooker), check with your college as some have restrictions. Most colleges provide bed linen, pillows and blankets, but you can purchase your own in Cambridge if you prefer.
The Backs in Winter
Courtesy of Chris Rowlands Photography
To cope with the common, spontaneous showers, a hat or raincoat can be more useful than carrying an umbrella all the time. Dress in layers during winter, as it’ll be heated indoors and you’ll find most people wear t-shirts under their coats and pullovers.
Formal wearAt the beginning of the year, there will be a matriculation photo and dinner where you will be required to dress formally. Boys will definitely need a suit, and girls a skirt or trousers and smart top or a nice dress.
You may also be required to buy a gown for formal occasions, but wait until you hear instructions from your college. If you do need one, you should be able to buy one from your college upon arrival, or you can purchase them separately. (see ‘Gowns’ in ‘Shopping’)
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HealthMoving to a new country can be very exciting and stimulating.
But with so many new things to cope with, such as different weather, customs, and food, you may find that you are paying less attention to your health. Make sure you come in good shape, and be prepared to look after yourself in a foreign environment!
Medical formsYour College will send you medical forms prior to your arrival.
Vaccinations Your colleges will ask you to take certain vaccinations. It is highly recommended that you complete these at least 4 weeks before you arrive in the UK, but if you are unable to obtain screening vaccinations in your home country, you will be able to do so when you register with a doctor at Cambridge. However, since student life is very busy here, you should complete them in advance where possible.
Due to the increase of Tuberculosis (TB) in the UK in recent years, it is important that you are screened for TB antibodies and where appropriate have the subsequent vaccination (BCG). The Health Protection Agency and the University of Cambridge very strongly advise you to ensure that you have been vaccinated against meningitis C before arriving in Cambridge. Also for those without natural immunity to Mumps, two doses of the MMR vaccine are strongly advised. Other recommended immunisations include tetanus, polio and diphtheria, but check with your doctor for medical advice.
Lastly, check with your local embassy and health-care provider (or visit http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/united-kingdom.htm) for up-to-date recommendations.
Healthcare in the UKYour first port of call when you require medical attention would be your college nurse, but for other more serious cases you will need to see your GP (General Practitioner) at Cambridge.
All full-time students at Cambridge (whose course lasts for 6 months or more, or who are from a European Economic Area country) are covered by the National Health Service (NHS) for the usual medical costs, except optical care (see next page). Remember to register with a GP upon arrival so that you have a doctor to go to when you fall ill – your college will help you with this. A list of local doctors is also available on www.camstudenthealth.co.uk.
If you are not entitled to NHS treatment you should take out international student health insurance before you leave home. EU students should ensure they have a European Health Insurance Card. Information about this is available at http://ec.europa.eu/social.
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It is advised that you bring an adequate supply of your regular medication with you, as well as copies of any prescriptions you may have and other important medical papers so that you have a record that you can share with your GP in Cambridge.
Dental care is also covered by the NHS for fulltime students under 19, for others it is subsidised. Ask in advance about costs as prices can be high. You may be eligible for a full or partial refund of costs incurred so ask your dentist. The Cambridge University Dental Service (http://www.dental.cam.ac.uk) provides dental treatment for undergraduate and post-graduate students of the University. A list of other local dentists can be found at www.bda-findadentist.org.uk.
Optical CareIf you wear contact lenses or glasses, you will need to have a British optical prescription before you can buy lenses or glasses. Either bring some from home or have your eyes checked when you arrive.
If you require any form of medication your GP will provide you with a prescription. This should be taken to any pharmacy where they will give you the medicine and charge a small fee. As a full-time student, you may be entitled to a reduction in price for dental treatment and prescription charges. To take advantage of this, you need to complete an HC1 form which is available from your College Nurse.
Pharmacies / OptometristsBoots (on Petty Cury) sells a large range of medication and health products. Eye tests are free for students under 19 and cost around £20-£25 otherwise.
Specsavers (in Lion Yard Shopping Centre): an eye check-up costs £20-£25; the contact lens fitting is another £20-£25. Under certain conditions you will be able to claim back your money, but these are very particular, so be prepared to pay.
Having said that, there are often heavy discounts to take advantage of, so keep an eyeon their publicity.
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Travel
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London AirportsThe closest airports to Cambridge are in London: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton. Long haul international flights usually arrive via Heathrow, whereas shorter flights, especially those coming in from the European Union arrive at Luton and Stansted. All four are linked to Cambridge by coach and train.
Getting to CambridgeiTaxiA completely new way to get Cambridge! iCUSU has set up the iTaxi webpage that is designed for international students to share cabs. It is normally very expensive (£110+) to take a cab from Heathrow to Cambridge and it is indeed frustrating to take coach if you have a lot of luggage (plus that it takes more than3 hours).
iTaxi is aimed at Cambridge students who are willing to share a taxi from the major airports or train stations in Cambridge. We want to create a platform to help you save money and get toCambridge as soon as possible. There is no need to worry about data privacy since you have full control on what information to provide.
Check out about this website via the link: http://www.dwz.cn/itaxischeme or simply scan the QR code using your smartphone
National Express If you do not want to take the benefit of iTaxi, we suggest taking the National Express coach directly from the airport so you don’t have to carry heavy luggage around the London Underground or train stations. The coaches take you straight to Parkside Coach Station, which is the last stop of the ride. The train station is about a thirty-minute walk from the centre, so you’ll need a taxi or a bus (which only operates during the day) to your college.
Timetables for coaches to Cambridge can be found on www.nationalexpress.com. It is possible to book your ticket online, but it might be wiser to buy tickets before you get on the bus in case of delay. Train timetables can be found on www.nationalrail.co.uk and also www.thetrainline.com on which you can book tickets.
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Ely Cathedral
Ways to save moneyWe recommend getting either a National Express NX2 card for coaches (£10 per year) or a 16-25 Railcard for trains (£30 per year). With these you get up to 1/3 off tickets.
Travel TicketsTravel tickets in the UK can be bought at very low prices when booked in advance, and return tickets are always cheaper than two singles, provided the return journey takes place within three months. National Express offers discount fares to/from London, sometimes for only £1! There are regular trains to/from King’s Cross and Liverpool Street Station (day return tickets start from £11). Coaches by National Express travel to Cambridge Parkside station from Victoria coach station in central London (funfare tickets may be bought from as little as £1 or £2 return).
Travel insuranceIt is advisable to take out travel insurance to cover your luggage and belongings especially during transit to the UK. Arrange this in your home country before you travel. We also strongly recommend that you take out personal insurance to cover you against the rare chance of theft, loss or damage to your personal belongings. Although there are many insurance companies in the UK, the National Union of Students recommends Endsleigh Insurance (www.endsleigh.co.uk).
Places to visitIf it’s your first time coming to the UK, no doubt you’ll want to travel! Cambridge will keep you busy for a while - the colleges boast brilliant architecture and history, and there are museums to suit all interests.
Tea and Scones at Grantchester, the cathedral at Ely, and Abbey ruins at Bury St Edmunds are recommended for short weekend outings! London is also very easily accessible.
The sunny holidays may be a better time to explore other sites in the country!For more information,visit www.enjoyengland.com.
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Police RegistrationWho is required to register?The Immigration Act 1971 requires foreign nationals aged 16 years or over from the countries listed below to register with the police.
One way to check if you need to register with the police is by looking at your visa page. If your visa states “register with the police” this should be done within seven working days of arrival in the United Kingdom.
Please note that failure to register is a criminal offence and could result in your removal from the United Kingdom as well as a £5,000 fine and 6 months imprisonment.
Whilst this may sound scary, it simply means that you need to make an appointment as soon as you can. Whilst delays are inevitable it is best to do this immediately. You can book an appointment at Cambridgeshire Police Stations by calling 101 and asking for extension 3220. Once you have an appointment arranged you have nothing to worry about, some students are not registered until December.
Cambridge University’s International Student Team has also scheduled two sessions of police registration during International Freshers’ Week for the afternoon of 30 September and throughout the day on 2nd October. An appointment must be booked online in advance at www.internationalstudents.cam.ac.uk/arriving/police-registration. If possible, we advise you to do this as this will make your life so much easier. You should bring:
1. Your passport / travel document 2. Two passport size photographs 3. Your letter from college (your college knows what letter to provide, just tell them you need it for
police registration) 4. Registration fee (£34)
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ShoppingMake up for your small luggage allowance by getting your thingsin Cambridge.
There are two major shopping centres: The Lion Yard/Grand Arcade in the city centre and the Grafton Centre, which is a short walk across Christ’s Pieces.
Lion’s Yard/Grand Arcade
Accessible from St Andrew’s Street and Petty Cury, the Lion Yard contains numerous stores and the Cambridge Central Library. The Grand Arcade adjoins the Lion Yard and was opened during summer 2008 along with the refurbished John Lewis department store. A list of stores in Grand Arcade can be found in http://www.grandarcade.co.uk/.
In addition to Grand Arcade, take a walk around Market Square and the shops surrounding it. Market Square sells random items from flowers to fresh fruits to decorative items. There are surrounding shops and restaurants nearby as well.
The Grafton Centre
The Grafton Centre has a range of stores, some of which are available in Grand Arcade, as well as being attached to the Vue Cinema. Primark is also located in the Grafton Centre.
Household goods
Argos (The Grafton)
Undoubtedly the best place to get your goods - very cheap and has a huge selection. You can even order online at www.argos.co.uk.
BHS (The Grafton)
An affordable department store selling good quality bed linen and other household goods.
Lakeland (Sidney Street)
Right across the street from Sidney Sussex College, Lakeland is bound to have the random items (food containers to shoe polish to laundry bags) that make us feel more at home.
John Lewis (Grand Arcade)
An alternative to BHS. Much closer to the city centre but more expensive. Sells everything from lamps to cushions, kitchenware to fabrics.
Marks & Spencer (Market Square)
Sells most household goods of decent quality; conveniently located in the centre of town.
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Supermarkets
Sainsbury’s (Sidney Street)
The student favourite (A new store has just opened opposite Downing College on St Andrew’s Street. The store is open 07.00 to 23.00 seven days a week, whereas the one in Sidney Street closes at 17.00 on Sundays)
Marks & Spencer (Market Square)
Sells mainly ready-made foods.
Tesco (Newmarket Road) and ASDA (Coldhams Lane)
These are bigger supermarkets, but further away from town. Tesco has an international section with ethnic foods.
Waitrose (Fitzroy Street, near Grafton Centre)
Newly opened in June 2010, sells high quality food.
Iceland (Histon Road)
Specialises in frozen food.
Aldi (Histon Road)
One of the cheapest supermarkets. If you live close by, it may be your favourite shop.
International Foods and Restaurants
Mill RoadAn impressive range of specialist supermarkets including Korean, Chinese and Indian stores. Some of you are sure to find yourselves frequenting these shops! This is the best place to get Halal foods, spices, tropical fruits and other cooking ingredients. More information about the different types of food sold by the stores can be found at http://mill-road.com/shops-1.html Cambridge also has a variety of restaurants dotted around the city; Chinese, French, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Thai, Turkish etc. etc.
Stationery and bookstores
Ryman’s (Sidney Street)
Stationery store that has a 10% student discount upon showing your student ID card. Covers all the basic stationery requirements - folders, papers, pens, computer discs etc. (you can get documents bound here too).
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WH Smith (Market Street)
Stationery and book store. Covers basic stationery but also has a selection of magazines andpopular books.
Heffers (Trinity Street)
Another book store, with a wider range of academic textbooks as well as fiction and non-fiction. Heffers have a card scheme where you receive stamps for purchases, which count towards a discount. Heffers has several shops in Cambridge specializing in a particular area. The main book store is located at 20 Trinity Street, next to Heffers Sound which mostly sells classical music CDs.
Gowns
Your college may require you to have a gown for occasions such as matriculation and formal hall. Each college has its own gown. Sometimes it is possible to buy them in college; you can also buy them from university outfitters such as Ryder & Amies (in King’s Parade) and A.E Clothier (in Pembroke Street). Make sure you check with your college though, because some colleges require you to buy the gown from them.
Bicycles
It’s a good idea to have a bike, especially if you have to rush to lectures. At the beginning of each term, the police station holds a bicycle auction, selling stolen bikes at very low prices. Students at the university may wish to sell their bikes to first-years, so look out for this as well. Make sure you have good locks, and have lights switched on at night! (or else you’ll be fined £30!)
Some of the bicycle shops are: Station Cycles (Corn Exchange Street); Ben Hayward and Sons (Trumpington Street and Laundress Lane); Mike’s Bikes (Mill Road); Cambridge Cycle Centre (Botolph Lane); The Bikeman (Market Square); Cycle King (Mill Road).
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Phone ServicesMobile Phones
Mobile phone companies offer quite good deals. Most of their stores are around the Lion Yard and Market Square. There are five main UK operators: EE, Vodafone, O2, 3 Mobile. However, international students can take advantage of companies offering cheap international, as well as national, calls. The most popular are Lebara, GiffGaff, Lycamobile and Asda and you can visit their websites for more information.
Two types of accounts are available:
Pay as you go
Where you have no basic charge and you top up your mobile with money. You have to pay for the phone. This is handy if you have already bought a smartphone.
Contract
Where you have a fixed monthly charge for a limited number of free minutes, text messages and internet access. This is handy for students looking to buy new phones. For the pay as you go SIM card, different service providers offer packages. Prices for pay as you go usually vary between 10p-20p per minute. Calls are sometimes cheaper between phones of the same service provider, so your choice of operator may depend on what your friends have chosen. Carphone Warehouse offers a pay as you go card called “mobile world”, with standard UK pay-as-you go rates, combined with very cheap international rates: www.mobileworld.co.uk. Pay as you go is good if you go back home often, since there is no fixed charge when you are not in the UK.
If you stay in the UK for most of the year, a contract phone may be the better choice. Retail stores often offer promotional prices for a mobile phone with contract tie-ins which can be cheaper than buying from the main operator; you can go to either Carphone Warehouse and Phones4You. To sign a contract you need the same documents for opening a bank account (ID, Letter from college) and a UK bank account.
Land Lines
Different colleges use different companies; ask your college how to connect the phone. Calls to university numbers are usually free from a land line in college. International calling cards are available from the Post Office and in certain stores around Cambridge.
The UK country code is +44.
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SkypeThe cheaper alternative to international calls is Skype. Download the application from the Internet and create your own account to chat/call/video call with friends and family.
It’s simple to do and completely free! If your friends or family do not have a Skype, you can still call them by their telephone numbers via Skype, but this is not a free service and you would have to top up your Skype account.
The price of the service is cheaper than international calls on mobile phones but more expensive than in-land calls on mobile phones. So it is worth using if you frequently make international calls.
Emergency?
Dial 999 for Police, Ambulance and Fire brigade!
Online Communication
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MoneyOpening a bank account is probably number one on your ‘to-do’ list.
Opening a bank account is vital to ensure a smooth, trouble-free transition into Cambridge life. You will need a UK bank account to buy a new mobile phone as well. Banks offer different benefits, policies and are situated in different locations, thus it is important to find one that suits you. We recommend getting an account with internet banking services, which are useful for making payments. Opening hours are generally 9am to 5pm (Monday to Friday) and 9am to 1pm (Saturday), which may vary across banks. All banks close on Sundays and Bank Holidays. .
Opening a new account can take up to 4 weeks (although it usually takes much less), and you must provide the following:
1. Original and copy of Passport
2. Original or certified copy of UCAS offer letter and university admissions letter
3. Proof of residence in headed paper and addressed to the bank, stating the duration of your course and your UK (i.e. college) as well as your non-UK address (request from college). Note that proof of residence should be provided separately for each person that is added to a bank account. For example, if you want to add an extra member of your family in your account, then proof of residence for them must be provided as well. Acceptable proofs of residence for third parties usually include recent bank statements and recent household bills and must indicate the home address (of that member) in Latin characters (banks may offer translations from
some languages).
4. Other documents the bank may request
Basic current accounts are available to students who have not been resident in the UK before coming to Cambridge. ‘Student accounts’ are generally available to those who have been resident for at least 3 years prior to opening the account or in some cases, already have a UK bank account. ‘International student accounts’ or other equivalent alternatives are also available from some banks – only Barclays and Lloyds offer free student accounts.
What to look for when opening an account:
There are many types of bank accounts offered by different banks. It’s important that you choose carefully and you may wish to consider the following:
1. Charges to withdraw money overseas/transfer fees - Do I need insurance? Do I get any perks?2. How much is it per month?3. How do I get an overdraft? Typically, international student accounts do not receive anoverdraft, so please beware!
For a list of banks with branches in Cambridge go to: http://www.cam.ac.uk/local/local/banks.html.
Note that the information provided in this page is subject to changes and account details and requirements differ from bank to bank. As a result, make sure that you visit each bank’s website.
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WelfareSettling In
University is a time of change. It is where you lead an independent lifestyle and assert your own personal identity. Settling in at university is an occasion full of anxiety as well as excitement, regardless of whether you are British or non-British. At Cambridge the settling in process must also be combined with maintenance of high academic standards. As an international Cambridge student there is a third challenge, which is to settle into a foreign environment. The good news is that virtually all Cambridge international freshers succeed in these three challenges. Even better news is that through iCUSU help and advice are always around to speed up the process!
Student Advice
The first advice would be to embrace the change. Go out. Make new friends. Do not isolate yourself in your room! Cambridge has an infinite number of open-minded and friendly students who will welcome and befriend you whatever your background. Go to the Societies’ Fair and sign up to several interesting societies. Always remember that you are at Cambridge: for example, British winter weather is good for making you study indoors! And always remember that you are at Cambridge – the best university in the world! If you stay mentally strong and brave you will have a bright future ahead of you. The Cambridge academic year is like a marathon race with everything building up slowly but surely towards the climactic exam week in the summer. Hence work-life balance is important to keep you going through the year. Thus work hard but play equally hard!
Professional Advice
Help is always close by. First try close friends, then welfare officers of your college’s JCR/MCR. The chaplain at each college always performs a vital welfare role, but should you want to seek professional advice, contact the iCUSU Welfare Officer or any committee member of iCUSU. They will then put you in contact with professional counsellors from the Cambridge University Counselling Service. There will also be iCUSU Welfare Session every term which is run by professional counsellors. Never hesitate to ask for help if needed!
Preparing yourself
There are many wonderful tools that exist to help you prepare to study in the UK. PrepareforSuccess is an interactive web learning tool for international students who are getting ready to come to the UK. Don’t miss out on this great resource: www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk. Prepare by finding out as much as you can about the United Kingdom
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English SupportAs an international student you will already have proved your english Language proficiency through tests such as IELTS, TOEFL or an advanced exam from the series offered by the University’s own syndicate.
Success in such tests, though, do not necessarily equip you for the encounters you may come across in your academic and social life at Cambridge. It might even be that the english we use in Cambridge is very different from the english you have learnt previously.
You’ll be polishing your english as you study in Cambridge, but don’t wait until you get here to start working on it. Meet english-speaking people in your home country before you leave, watch films in english, and read english newspapers and magazines on the Internet.
You might even want to take advantage of the CUSU Financial Times scheme, which offers the newspaper at a discounted rate for Cambridge students. www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/services/financialtimes/
More information
The Language Centre, University of Cambridge: www.langcen.cam.ac.uk
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International Societiesat Cambridge UniversityHere we provide you with a list and short description of some of the international societies we have here at Cambridge.
This list is by no means complete and there are so many more societies for you to explore. Actively joining their events will surely make your life so much more involved and diversified. You will have the opportunity to meet all of them at the CUSU Societies Fair.
Europe
Cambridge University Lithuanian Society (CULS)
Cambridge University Lithuanian Society is predominantly Lithuanian, but also welcomes everyone from any background. The society’s goal is to promote Lithuanian culture as well as to take part in cultural interchange. We have several meetings each term and organise social events for broader audience. Last term we had a couple of formal halls and swaps with other societies, a visit from Prof. Leonidas Donskis MEP, a picnic and a garden party and we are very excited about Michaelmas – our term card will be revealed soon. We are looking forward to seeing you at the CUSU Societies Fair on the 7th and 8th October. Iki!
Cambridge University Israel Society
Society for Israelis and those interested in Israel in Cambridge. Serving as a cultural society, we regularly invite speakers to inform and educate Cambridge students on topics of interest arising in Israel. We offer students a little taste of Israel, with Israel film screenings, traditional Israeli dancing and specially brought in musical artists throughout the year.E-mail: [email protected]
Cambridge University Dutch Society
If you, maybe just by coincidence, speak Dutch, why not keep it in shape or even improve it during one of our monthly “borrels” or special Dutch/Flemish social events? Het is tevens een gezellige manier om nieuwe gezichten te leren kennen! You can find more about us on our website: http://dutch.soc.srcf.net
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Cambridge University Scandinavian Society
We aim to promote Scandinavian culture in Cambridge and serve our members through offering relaxing and fun events for all!
Traditional events include the Christmas Dinner, various Formal Hall exchanges, the annual Ambassadors’ Dinner (formal dinner with Scandinavian ambassadors organized every other year in Cambridge and every other in Oxford) and watching Eurovision together, in addition to seminars, sports events and movie presentations. Everybody’s welcome to our events!Website: http://cambridgescansoc.org
Cambridge University Polish Society
The Cambridge University Polish Society brings together Polish students and people interested in Poland, affiliated with University of Cambridge. Our community is open to every new student coming to Cambridge, and our goal is to help you get used to the new environment. We are organising two freshers’ events, one in late September in Warsaw, and one in early October in Cambridge. For more details follow us on: www.facebook.com/CambridgeUniversityPolishSociety.
During term-time we host a variety of events on a regular basis, including talks and lectures, recruitment events, formal halls and celebrations of Polish holidays. In previous years these events have been very popular, therefore it is worthwhile to join our society. We hope to see many new faces at our future events. See you in Michaelmas!
Asia
Cambridge University Malaysia and Singapore Association (CUMSA)
Founded in 1948, the Cambridge University Malaysia and Singapore Association (CUMSA) has today stood for just over 24000 days. With a dedication to supporting Singaporeans, Malaysians and anyone else interested in Southeast Asia in Cambridge, we have been carefully building and nurturing a comfortable, friendly social environment for everyone.
Don’t worry about not being able to find something interesting! Annually, the Asian Food Festival, Annual Ball and Garden Party are just some of the many varied activities we hold. Besides, we also have many interest groups from board games to badminton that take place on a regular basis. To top it all off, we will be inviting notable speakers from industry and government as part of our Speakers’ Series. For more details, you can check our website at http://cumsa.org/ or email us directly at [email protected] Cheers! Join us directly at http://cumsa.org/membership/membership-registration/.
Cambridge University Thai Society (CUTS)
CUTS brings together people, whether they are from Thailand or elsewhere with interest in Thailand, to let them feel at home, feel like living in Thailand. Please follow us on FB to explore the events we will be organizing. https://www.facebook.com/CambridgeUniversityThaiSocietycuts
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Chinese Cultural Society (CCS)
Cambridge University Chinese Cultural Society, popularly referred to as CCS, is the largest undergraduate Chinese student organisation within Cambridge. Since its foundation, CCS has grown tremendously into a society with over 800 members, consisting of students from different Asian countries as well as Europe.
The society regularly organises a great variety of fun-filled and meaningful events, which include the Orientation Camp, Fresher’s Squash, Family Formal, ‘Scintillate’ show, Annual Play, and many more. Besides, numerous activities also unfold the rich and fascinating Chinese culture to other students, such as the Mandarin classes and English summer camp in China.
If you have any queries or are eager to join us, don’t hesitate to check out our website at http://www.srcf.ucam.org/cuccs/ or directly contact us through the email [email protected]. We will always be there for you with warmth and enthusiasm!
Cambridge University Chinese Society (CHISOC)
ChiSoc prides itself as being one of the most thriving cultural societies in Cambridge, boasting a member base of more than 300 active members (and counting!) As a member, you will enjoy being part of a closely-knit community - every year, we host an exciting array of events for our members, from annual formals to parties and competitions and not least the Variety Show.
ChiSoc is more than just a society. ChiSoc is a family, and we are committed to our principle of promoting friendship amongst our members and making our society as inclusive as possible.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up NOW and become part of ChiSoc! :DVisit our website for more information http://cuchin.soc.srcf.net/website2011/CUCS/home.html
Cambridge University India Society
The Cambridge University’s India Society was founded by India’s First Prime Minister, the great Jawaharlal Nehru during his time at Trinity College. It was set up to facilitate greater understanding of Indian culture within Cambridge. Being the third largest student run society in Cambridge, it serves as a dynamic social platform for both Indian and non-Indian students alike.
We hope to raise awareness of cultural and political issues relating to India with our numerous events.
These include academics talks, classes, film nights, club nights, formals, sports events, our annual garden party and of course our legendary Annual Ball. Membership is open to anyone, and not just those looking for a prospective spouse! If you are thinking of becoming a member, we promise a good time and look forward to hearing from you! Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/indiasoc
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Cambridge Taiwanese Society
Do you know where Taiwan is? Yes, you could Google that.Do you know Taiwan once had the highest building in the world?Do you know we’ve the best democratic government, which allow people to occupy the parliament.Do you dare to eat stinky tofu, which smells like awful cheese but tastes like heaven?People will think you are a hero when they know you have eaten that.
Can’t wait to know more about these interesting stories?Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/135430406468330/
Cambridge Anglo-Japanese Society
The AJS (Anglo-Japanese Society) provides a friendly interface between Japanese and non-Japanese in Cambridge: socially at the pub meetings, dinners and clubbing events, but also by organising Japanese cultural events during the term. These include sushi parties, film nights, language lessons and karaoke! We have an annual Joint Oxbridge Dinner with the Oxford Japan Society in London, as well as a New Year’s Party (involving Japanese food and umeshu!) and an end-of-term BBQ in the summer. It is a society that allows members to experience and learn more about Japanese culture! You can find information about us on our website: http://cuajs.soc.srcf.net/
Cambridge University Korean Society
Our members consist of both Korean and non-Korean students studying here in Cambridge, and we are a registered society of Cambridge University Student’s Union (CUSU). Our aim is to serve as a medium of social and academic interaction for all Korean undergraduate and graduate students within the university, and also to promote Korea and Korean culture to the students of non-Korean origin. Furthermore, we also actively seek to reach out to the wider expatriate Korean communities in and around Cambridge and promote our cultural identity through joint events, including the Korean Cultural Night that we expect to hold this year. Over the next year, we plan to hold various activities, some of them in conjunction with the Faculty of East Asian Studies.
You can become a member of CUKS by signing up at CUSU Freshers’ Fair, or alternatively by contacting us at [email protected]. We would like to meet everyone interested in Korean Culture and make good friends!
Africa
African Society of Cambridge University [ASCU]
ASCU intends to build an exciting interface between Africans and non-Africans in Cambridge, creating a platform for networking and debate, fostering research capacity within Africa as well as mentoring prospective students from Africa studying at the University of Cambridge. We are open to anyone interested in finding out more about Africa, no matter their discipline, nationality, or student status. Non university students are welcome to join too.E-mail: [email protected] page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/526417487420458/
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Cambridge University African Caribbean Society [CUACS]
If you would like to experience African and Caribbean culture and celebrate diversity in Cambridge, then come and be a part of a society which is turning heads and delivering some to the most exciting events the university has to offer! From fantastic social events to exclusive careers and networking opportunities, the ACS definitely has something for everyone. For more information about us and how you can get involved, join our official Faceook page or follow us on Twitter @Cambridge_ACS. Contact details for committee members and photos of some of our past events will soon be updated on our website!
America
Cambridge University Brazillian Society
The aim of the Cambridge University Brazilian Society (CUBS) is to unite the Brazilians and friends of this beautiful and diverse country, and promote the Brazilian culture at the University of Cambridge. Our main goal is to provide academic and cultural exchange between Cam bridge and Brazil, through academic and social events. Also, we would like to help Brazilians that just arrived in the UK as well as those which are intending to apply to study in Cambridge. Website: http://brazilian.soc.srcf.net
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Collection or delivery
Buy One Pizza, Get One
FREEAvailable on medium and large pizzas
Please hand coupon to driver or member of staff. Student ID may be required. Valid at Domino’s Pizza Cambridge Central store only. At regular menu price. Pizza from menu or create your own up to 4 topping. Free pizza must be equal or lesser value than the first. Available on medium and large pizzas only. Not valid with any other offer. See website for full T&C’s. Offer expires 31/05/2015.
24 HOURDELIVERY
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S023197-1 A4 Landscape BOGOF 5am Advert-Cambridge Central.indd 1 29/07/2014 15:33
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11
Collection or delivery
Buy One Pizza, Get One
FREEAvailable on medium and large pizzas
Please hand coupon to driver or member of staff. Student ID may be required. Valid at Domino’s Pizza Cambridge Central store only. At regular menu price. Pizza from menu or create your own up to 4 topping. Free pizza must be equal or lesser value than the first. Available on medium and large pizzas only. Not valid with any other offer. See website for full T&C’s. Offer expires 31/05/2015.
24 HOURDELIVERY
Call dominos.co.uk Pop in Tap the app@DominosPizzaSK/DominosPizzaCambridge
32 - 34 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1LAOpening Hours:24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 01223 355155
S023197-1 A4 Landscape BOGOF 5am Advert-Cambridge Central.indd 1 29/07/2014 15:33
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