We are delighted to welcome you to London, England. This pre-arrival letter is intended to help you settle into your new home!. It will be complemented by a full welcome on arrival.

WELCOME !!

London

London is the capital of England and is the largest metropolitan area in the European Union. It is located

on the River Thames where it has existed since it’s founding by the Romans under the name Londinium over 2 millennia ago.

Today, London is home to over 8 million residents from every corner of the globe.

London is one of the world’s most visited cities boasting history, art & culture, architecture, nightlife, and a dizzying swirl of international cultures that have come to call London home. London is the world’s leading financial center alongside New York, home to 43 universities, and is prominent in the spheres of media, fashion, hospitality, and the arts.

London attracts and produces constant innovation, while offering ever-changing opportunities for fun and enjoyment. As the saying goes, “If you’re bored with London, you’re bored with life.”London has a temperate oceanic climate with mild temperatures and precipitation dispersed throughout the year. Summer is warm, but not hot, with an average daytime high of 22°C (72°F). Winter is cool, but not cold, averaging a daytime temperature of 5°C (41°F).

This guide will give you everything you need to know before you arrive in London so good luck in preparing for your trip and we are excited to have you join us in the Greatest City in the World!

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CAPITALCITY

>> Taxis & Transport

Public transport in London is extensive, clean, and quick. Cabs are also plentiful but quite pricey and rarely necessary. The tube and bus systems will take you anywhere you need to go within London and the surrounding suburbs. Trips on the tube start at £1.70, and bus fares at £1.50.

Your Oyster Card provides unlimited travel on the capital’s buses and will cover any underground journey in Zone 1 & 2 for approximately your first month.

your Oyster Card will cover this extension. For any underground journeys outside of this, you will haveto top your card up before you make your trip.

The ubiquitous black cabs charge a base fee of £2.40 and run £3.00-£8.00 per mile based on time of day

on the street or called in advance. All other taxis are called Minicabs, and should only be

>> Conversion Rate

Please click this link to see a real time exchange rate between the Great British Pound & US Dollar:

>> ID

It is not necessary to carry your passport with you while out and about in London. It’s best to leave your passport and a photocopy safely at home. Some bars are strict onID, so you’ll want to have some form of ID with you when going out at night. This can be a driving licence or national ID card that proves your age.

http://www.xe.com

>> Dress

Dress in central London is casual but chic, as you would expect in one of the world’s fashion capitals. Shopping is world-renowned, so you will see creative and edgy outfits, as well as more traditional, conservative dress.For a night out at the pub, smart but relaxed clothes are the norm. To get past the doorman at a club, however, dress to impress!

ordered over the phone with a reputable company for safety reasons. The price is fixed by the driver and is often cheaper than the black cab rates, but be sure to confirm what the rate will be so you’re not overcharged. Uber is also a very handy cab service to use in London, more information can be found on their website - https://www.uber.comCheck that your taxi is a licensed one before getting in, especially at night.

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>> Drinking Water

Tap water in London is completely safe to drink.

>> Money Matters

How much money do you need?

Central London is notoriously expensive, but low-key and low-priced options can always be found. A casual lunchtime meal might range £5-10. A beer in a pub in central London will go for £4-6, but at a pub further out from the center, £3.50 may be the norm.

Most pubs do not charge an entrance fee, but dance bars in the trendy areas may ask£5-10 at the door.London has many free entertainment options like museums and open-air markets. And of course, we have planned lots of fun activities that are already included in your program fee!

>> What you may not bring to

England

There are restrictions on all the usual prohibited items such as weapons and produce. One thing to be aware of is that pepper spray/mace while common in the US is considered a concealed weapon in the UK and could carry jail time.

>> Arrival & Contact Information

When you arrive in the UK you will need to show the immigration authorities your passport and visa.

>> Airport pickup

You will be picked up by our trusted airport pickup service upon arrival to

London. Do not worry if your flights are delayed – we are in constant contact with the taxi company who will be tracking your flight so this will be taken into account. You will be greeted with your name on a board and driven to

your accommodation where a member of staff will meet you.

Company address Support

Busworks 37-41 North Rd.London - N7 9DPUnited Kingdom

For any emergencies or questions, please contact Ariana Christoffers.ariana.christoffers@theinterngroup.com +447478315962

Or you can call our London office via Skype or phone Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm.Skype: internlondonPhone: +44 207 700 0022

PAYATTENTION

1) Arts & CultureThis is simply a must-do activity. London theatre has been at the cornerstone of London arts and culture for centuries and no trip to London is complete without it. We will arrange this event within our community as a part of your program. In the past, we have seen top shows like the Lion King, Wicked and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.

WHAT YOU CAN FIND IN LONDON

>> Our Top 5 Tourist Attractions

2) Explore the River ThamesAlso included in your programme is a river cruise and London Eye experience. Explore one of the World’s most iconic rivers aboard a classic London boat.

4) Sports in LondonFootball (Soccer) is London and England’s foremost sport. On a Saturday and Sunday afternoon you will normally see groups of brightly colored fans travelling around London to see their favorite teams play. But it doesn’t end there. We have the tennis arenas at Wimbledon and Queens, cricket at Lords and of course, and the 2012 Olympic Park to visit!

5) Museums and GalleriesLondon is a hub for arts & culture and the museums and galleries are an excellent way to explore the different collections that London holds and hosts. A lot of these museums and galleries have free entry so is a great way to spend an afternoon. Top museums and galleries include: British Museum, National Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum, Tate Modern, The Science Museum, The Natural History Museum.

3) Royal Parks of LondonLondon is home to some of the most beautiful parks in the world. Whether you are having a classic English picnic at the iconic Hyde Park, stopping off at St James Park after visiting Buckingham Palace or taking a swim at Hampstead Heath, there is a huge amount to see and do in the ‘green lungs’ of London.

>> Eating

British food has an unfair reputation for rather bland and uninspiring food, but what London does have which no other city in the world has, is the sheer variety and diversity of cuisine. London is home to every type of food and cuisine imaginable for every price range. From delicious Indian food on Brick Lane or Chinese food at Chinatown to Middle Eastern cuisine

>> The Landmarks

London is home to some of the most historically relevant and important landmarks in the world. Make sure you take the time to check them out!

Buckingham Palace – the official home of the Queen of England. It is open for tours in London and no trip to London is complete without seeing it!

The London Eye – the world’s largest observation wheel. On a clear day, you can see as far as the coast of France!

Picadilly Circus - London’s most photographed landmark. The Statue of Eros stands in the middle, surrounded by dazzling lights and the commotion of London life. It truly is the heartbeat of London.

on Edgware Road, there is food for everyone! If traditional British food is what you are looking for, then there are a number of classic meals such as

Fish and Chips or a traditional Sunday Roast lunch that are available in

pubs and restaurants across the capital. We occasionally

arrange one of these meals with the community so keep an eye out for those!

St Paul’s Cathedral - built after the 1666 Great Fire of London, it is both the largest and most significant Cathedral in England. It is known as it’s ‘whispering gallery’ because of the acoustics of the construction. As beautiful as it is monumental.

Tower Bridge - A 19th century bridge located by the Tower of London Castle on the East Side of the centre of London. Even people from London stop and stare when the drawbridge is raised!

Trafalgar Square- home to Lord Nelson’s Column and the Lions of Trafalgar Square. It’s as close to a ‘centre’ of town as possible and on any day thousands of people will pass by this cornerstone of London.

EXPECTATIONS & PREPARATION

in the same neighborhood and you will always be living with and nearby to other programme participants. Our motto is to ‘live like a Londoner’ and you will have a unique chance to experience London in an authentic way. In the summer we also offer accommodation in student Halls of Residence (dorms) that offer a similar experience. Every accommodation has all the necessary amenities such as a shared kitchen (complete with washing machine, fridge etc), bathroom and a shared living room. The houses are secure and there is a dedicated maintenance team who are on hand to assist with any problems.Your accommodation will always be in highly accessible locations and in a central London location (Zone 1 or 2). Your commute to work will always be under 1 hour and most of the time it will be far quicker than that too. London is a huge metropolis and you will always be ideally situated to explore this fantastic city!

>> Hospital & Emergency Services

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) will provide emergency treatment for anyone in the UK, irrespective of whether they reside in the UK. The emergency phone number is 999 where you can also access the police, coastguard and fire-brigade.They are free of charge from any telephone. In cases of medical emergency, you can go to the Accidents & Emergency department (A&E), and be seen for any medical issues.

>> London Safety

London is a fantastically diverse and dynamic city that is very much a melting pot of culture and society. As in any big city, be aware of your surroundings and valuables at all times. Use caution on public transportation and when walking at night, and be aware that pickpockets operate in the heavily touristed areas.The emergency number for London is 999.

>> Arrival Induction & Welcome Pack

At the airport you will be picked up by your assigned driver. He will be waiting for you in arrivals with your name on a card so please keep a look out for this. Upon arrival at your house, you will be met by a housing representative and the Experience Coordinator. You will then be provided with an induction of your house and local area to help you settle in. If you arrive after 7:00pm, your induction is likely to take place the next day. In the week leading up to your programme start date you will be contacted by our Programme Coordinator and Experience Coordinator via email and sent your orientation pack and precise details about your induction. We will pick up from the following airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted & London City. We look forward to meeting you soon!

>> Housing

Your accommodation is in a convenient, residential area of the city. Our shared student houses are all