ADVICE FOR OUTGOING ERASMUS+ STUDENTS€¦ · Advice for Outgoing Erasmus+ Students. University of...
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ADVICE FOR OUTGOING ERASMUS+ STUDENTS
Transcript of ADVICE FOR OUTGOING ERASMUS+ STUDENTS€¦ · Advice for Outgoing Erasmus+ Students. University of...
ADVICE FOR
OUTGOING ERASMUS+ STUDENTS
Page Subject
3 Introduction to the Erasmus+ Programme
4 Your first day at the host iuniversity
5 Your Learning Agreement
7 Accommodation
8 Contact information
9 Keeping safe: what to do in emergencies
10 UWL Services
12 Frequently asked questions
13 Moving abroad checklist
14 Returning to UWL
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WelcomeWe are absolutely delighted that you have decided to study abroad under the Erasmus+ scheme. Whether you are going away for a semester or an entire academic year, we are sure you will thoroughly enjoy your time at the host university. We look forward to see you again soon when you return to the University of West London.
Advice for Outgoing Erasm
us+ Students
Did you know that the Erasmus+ programme is the world’s most successful student mobility programme? Since its inception in 1987, over 3 million students have studied abroad under the Erasmus+ scheme. Many Erasmus+ alumni have gone on to achieve highly successful careers, including becoming members of EU Parliament, business CEOs, country ambassadors, as well as famous athletes, musicians and artists. Now you are part of this great movement.
Studying abroad can be challenging. There are many hurdles to cross, including various language and cultural barriers. However, overcoming these challenges will give you a tremendous sense of self-satisfaction. The experience will give you boost of confidence in your own skills and abilities, and may even give you new skills that you will be able to use to your advantage in later life.
Be sure to take in all the cultural benefits of living in a different country. Spend time getting to know how people from different backgrounds study and live their lives. Try also to pick up the local language. Whilst learning a new language can at first seem incredibly daunting, the benefits can be life-changing. Many employers consider an employee’s foreign language skills to be highly valuable to the organisation. There are also many great personal advantages of being able to communicate with people from different social and cultural backgrounds.
Every Erasmus+ journey is unique and yours is guaranteed to be different from everybody else’s. Wherever you decide to go and whatever you decide to do, make sure above all else you enjoy every moment of it. Have fun, make new friends and have new experiences that you will remember for the rest of your life.
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Introduction to the Erasmus+ Programme
“Congratulations on making a brave and life-changing decision to study in another country. You have already demonstrated your willingness to adapt to a new environment and embrace all the cultural benefits of studying abroad. I am sure you will go above and beyond what is expected from you and achieve many great things during your time there.
The University of West London will endeavour to support you before, during and after your Erasmus+ exchange. I am certain you will have a unique, exhilarating and life-changing experience that you will never forget”
Joshua LloydErasmus+ Officer
Advice for Outgoing Erasm
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Your first day at the host universityThe first day at the host university may be nerve-racking for you. Do not worry about this at all if this is the case; it is completely normal to feel nervous on your first day.
You will be studying your course at a university you are not used to, in a culture you are not used to and quite possibly everyone will be speaking a different language from you. However, as time progresses you will grow accustomed to your host university and the cultural differences between the host country and the UK.
This may take as little as a day, a week or even a month, but soon enough you will get used to your new surroundings. Remember that your Erasmus+ Coordinator at the host university will be able to help if you have any issues, and you can always contact the UWL Erasmus Officer if you need any further assistance.
As part of the application process, you would have completed a document that is known commonly as the ‘Learning Agreement’ (LA). For Erasmus+ students undertaking a Traineeship, this document is known instead as a ‘Traineeship Agreement’ (TA). It clearly sets out how you will be spending your time in the host country. There is scope to make slight amendments to this agreement; for example, if you do not agree with a particular module that are studying at the host university and would like to change to a different one, then as long as your School Erasmus+ Coordinator agrees this can be updated in the Learning Agreement. You must seek approval before making any changes to your Learning (or Traineeship) Agreement.
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Your Learning Agreement
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Advice for Outgoing Erasm
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Whilst the University of West London cannot reserve or guarantee your accommodation for your Erasmus+ exchange, we will do what we can to support you throughout this process. It is strongly advised to spend a significant amount of time researching as many different accommodation options as possible. Make sure you read plenty of reviews from previous tenants of the place you intend to stay before you book, so that you are confident that the accommodation will have the necessary components to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
It is highly advisable to stay at a place that is within walking distance to the host university if possible, or at least in a location with good transport links. Remember lots of European universities have their own accommodation on-campus, which if the case is probably going to be the best option for you. It will guarantee your safety and will also give you a chance to socialise with other students from the host university. To find out if your host university has its own accommodation, you can research their website or contact their Erasmus+ Coordinator. The UWL Erasmus+ Officer may also provide some guidance.
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Advice for Outgoing Erasm
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Accommodation
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Advice for Outgoing Erasm
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For any enquiries regarding the Erasmus+ programme before, during or after your exchange, please contact UWL’s Erasmus+ Officer:
Joshua Lloyd, Erasmus+ Officer: [email protected] +44 (0)20 8231 2560
If you have an academic issue, please contact your School Erasmus+ Coordinator:
School Erasmus+ Coordinators:
● London School of Film, Media and Design – Dr Sumaya Alnahed:
● The Claude Littner Business School – Dr Jose Ruiz Alba Robledo:
● School of Computing and Engineering – Professor Thomas Roth-Berghofer:
● London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism – Antigoni Lykotrafiti:
● Ealing Law School – Dr Yarik Kryvoi: [email protected]
● London College of Music – Dr Sara McGuiness:
● College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare – Laila Paulsen-Becejac:
● School of Human and Social Sciences – Dr Anke Goerzig:
Contact information
Whilst the probability of running into any danger during your time abroad is extremely low, it is definitely worth reminding yourself of what to do in an emergency situation. By signing your Learning Agreement and Grant Agreement, your trip will be insured by the University of West London. You must register with Travel Guard Assistance through this website: www.chartisinsurance.com/Travel-Assistance_3660_446294.html, using the University’s insurance policy number: 0015865149. Once you have registered, you will be able gain full access to the website, which contains travel advice and important information on what to do in possible emergencies (lost passport etc.). There is additionally a Smartphone app that can be downloaded, as well as a 24/7 support helpline: 0044 1273 552922.
You must also register for an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), which guarantees your access to health services within EU countries. This can be done online and for free via this webpage: gov.uk/european-healthinsurance-card.
In the extremely unlikely scenario that there is a major disaster (civil unrest, natural disaster etc.), then you must get yourself away from danger as quickly as possible and call the emergency services. You will then need to contact your nearest embassy and await their instructions. It is absolutely vital that you are aware of your local embassy’s contact details when you arrive in the host country. This is so you do not waste any time if you ever are caught up in an emergency situation.
You should keep yourself up-to-date with the FCO (Foreign & Commonwealth Office) website, which regularly updates itself with important information and travel advice from the British Government: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
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Keeping safe: what to do in emergencies
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Student Services
Student services deals with all student enquiries relating to accommodation, general advice, funding advice, immigration advice, disability support, health and wellbeing including health and counselling, and chaplaincy.tel: +44 (0)20 8231 2573 / 2991email: [email protected]
Centre for Employability and Employer Engagementtel: +44 (0)20 8231 2700email: [email protected]
Students’ Uniontel: +44 (0)208 231 2276 email: [email protected] www.uwlsu.com
Student IT SupportStudent email: +44 (0)30 0111 4895MyRegistry: +44 (0)20 8231 2310 (option 2)Problem with your UWL ID card: +44 (0)20 8231 2070
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UWL Services
Advice for Outgoing Erasm
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Remember whilst you are studying abroad, you still have full access to all of UWL’s student support services. See below a full list, including contact information.
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Will my grades count towards my final degree?All marks obtained at the host university will be converted to the equivalent UK grades. These grades will also contribute towards the final degree classification.
What happens to my tuition fees if I go on an Erasmus+ exchange?Erasmus+ students who study their degree course at UWL for 10 weeks or more during their Erasmus+ year (and spend the remainder at the host university) will pay the full tuition fee for that academic year. Erasmus+ students who study for less than 10 weeks during their Erasmus+ year (including those who study for a full Erasmus+ academic year) will be charged £1000 for that year. If the student has taken out a tuition fee loan from the Student Loan Company, the student’s loan will be changed accordingly (if applicable). Students and graduates who undertake an Erasmus+ Traineeship (Summer, Course or Graduate) are not eligible for the tuition fee waiver. Students who participate in a Course Traineeship during their sandwich year will continue to pay the standard rate of £1000.
What happens to my SLC (Student Loan Company) maintenance loans whilst I am abroad on an Erasmus+ exchange?Your SLC maintenance loans will be unaffected by your Erasmus+ exchange. You will continue to receive your SLC maintenance loan instalments.
What currency will my grant be transferred as?All Erasmus+ grant payments (to both students and staff) are made in Euros.
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Frequently asked questions
Advice for Outgoing Erasm
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Moving abroad checklist
Advice for Outgoing Erasm
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❏ Sign up to the OLS (Online Linguistic System). You will be sent an email that will allow you access to the online language tutorial system. Using the OLS, you will be able to spend time practicing and perhaps begin to know some of the basics of the local language
❏ Confirm your accommodation abroad and set up your monthly bill payments if necessary
❏ Confirm all your travel arrangements
❏ Register for an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)
❏ Register with Travel Guard Assistance
❏ Cancel or pause any club memberships/subscriptions
❏ Arrange to have your post redirected
❏ Notify your local council
❏ Pay off any outstanding bills and contact your energy suppliers to notify them of the change of address (gas, electricity etc.)
❏ Pack your luggage and make sure you bring your ID and Passport
❏ Bring some foreign currency with you for the journey
❏ Set up a new bank account in the host country
❏ Relax and have an incredible time studying abroad!
You may have had an amazing time and found your new ‘home away from home’, but there comes a time when you need to return to the UK and start your course again at UWL (unless you have undertaken an Erasmus+ exchange in your last year or semester).
Coming back may be even more challenging than going away, and it will take some time to readjust to your old life at UWL. We will support you throughout this process and will even organise a ‘Welcome Home’ event for all our returning students. You are highly valued at the University of West London and we look forward to seeing you again.
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Returning to UWL
Advice for Outgoing Erasm
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All things must come to an end, and the Erasmus+ programme is no different.
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Advice for Outgoing Erasm
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University of West LondonBoston Manor RoadBrentfordMiddlesex TW8 9GA University of West LondonSt Mary’s RoadEalingLondon W5 5RF Tel: 0800 036 8888Int: +44 (0)20 8231 2947 www.uwl.ac.uk
