GUIDE FOR STUDENTS NEW TO GLASGOW · By Train The nearest rail station to the airport is Paisley Gilmour Street, about a mile from the terminal and easily reached by taxi or bus (service

2014/15

GUIDE FOR STUDENTS NEW TO GLASGOW

Believe it. Achieve it.

www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk2

Index Welcome to Glasgow2 WelcometoGlasgow

3 GettingAroundGlasgow

4 Checklist

5 FirstDays:BankingandRegistering withaDoctorandaDentist

8 Accommodation

9 StayingSafe

10 ReportingHateCrime

10 Diversity&Equalities

11 ImmigrationandVisaRules

12 Working

13 SettlingIn

16 ThingstoDo

18 GlasgowDialectandStudentSupport

WehopethatyouenjoyyourtimeasastudentinGlasgowandthatyourexperienceofGlasgowisinteresting,safeandenjoyable.Thedetailsinthisbookletareforgeneralguidanceaboutthingsthatyouwillneedtobeawareof,butifyouhaveanyquestionspleasedonothesitatetocontacttheInternationalStudentSupportCo-ordinatororanymemberoftheStudentServicesteam.

Arriving at Glasgow AirportGlasgowAirportissituatedintheoutskirtsofPaisley,about8milesfromGlasgowCityCentre.BusesandtaxisareavailableoutsidetheterminalfortravelintocentralGlasgow,ortothenearestrailstation(PaisleyGilmourStreet).

Travel from Glasgow Airport to Glasgow City Centre

By BusTheFirstService500(GlasgowShuttle)andFirstService747(AirLink)busesruntoGlasgowcitycentrefromtheairport.First’sGlasgowShuttleprovidesyouwithadirectservicebetweentheairportandGlasgowcitycentre,operatinguptoevery10minutes,24hoursaday,andtakesapproximately25minutes.Anadultsingleticketcostsaround£7.00.www.spt.co.uk/bus/index.html forrouteinformation.

By TaxiTaxisareavailableattheairport24hoursaday.Journeysaremeteredandthefaretothecitycentreisabout£24to£26,asregulatedbyRenfrewshireCouncil.

By TrainThenearestrailstationtotheairportisPaisleyGilmourStreet,aboutamilefromtheterminalandeasilyreachedbytaxiorbus(service66).TherearedirectrailservicesfromPaisleyGilmourStreettoGlasgowCentral,8trainsanhouronweekdaysand5perhouronSundays.

Glasgowhasanexcellentpublictransportsystem.Aswellasbusesandtrains,thereisanundergroundtrainservice.Thecheapestformoftravelisthebus.Mostbusesdonotgivechange,soyoushouldhavethecorrectmoneytogetonboard.Ifyouaretravellingbytrainyoushouldbuyyourticketinthestationbeforeyougeton.StudentsareabletobuycheapertravelticketsusingtheirStudentCard.

www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk 3

Getting Around GlasgowBusesBusescanbethecheapestformoftravelandinformationonfaresandtimetablescanbeobtainedfromBuchananStreetBusStationorTravelineScotlandTel:08712002233www.traveline.org.uk.

BuchananBusStationisthecentralbusterminalforGlasgow.ItisjustatwominutewalkfromtheCityofGlasgowCollege,CityCampus.

Localbuscompanies:

FirstBusGlasgow:www.firstgroup.com

Arriva:www.arrivabus.co.uk

TrainsIfyouareastudentagedbetween16and25orover25butstillinfulltimeeducation,youareeligiblefora‘16-25RailCard’discountonrailjourneys.

Pleaseensureyoucheckthetimeofthelasttrainhometoavoidbeingstrandedatnight.

Seewww.nationalrail.co.ukforinformationandtimes.

UndergroundTheUndergroundsystemcirclesGlasgowCityCentre,andthroughtheWestEndofthecity.Trainsrunfromapproximately06.30to23.00onMondaytoFridayand10.00to18.00onSunday.ThenearestundergroundstationtotheCityCampusisBuchananStreetandthenearesttoRiversideCampusisBridgeStreetorStEnoch’sStation.Checkwww.spt.co.ukfortimesandfares.

TaxisIfyouaregoingtobeoutlate,itisadvisabletogetataxihome,andthecostcouldbequitecheapifyouaresharingthetaxiwithfriends.TheblackHackneycabsyouseeattaxistancesandinthestreetarelicensedsotheyarethesafesttouse.Youcanorderataxibycallingthefollowingnumber:

GlasgowTaxisTel:0141 429 7070

ThereismoreinformationaboutkeepingsafewhenoutandaboutinthecityunderStayingSafeorintheleaflet‘PersonalSafety’whichyoucanfindintheStudentResidencesandintheStudentServicesoffices.


WhenyouarriveinGlasgowmakesureyouhavedonethefollowing:

•Tellyourfamilyyouhavearrived

•ReporttotheCollegeInternationalOfficewithpassport,visaandqualificationscertificates

•Arrangepaymentoffees

•Openabankaccount

•Registerwiththepolice(ifapplicable)

•Registerwithadoctor/healthcentre

•“Like”ourCityofGlasgowCollegeInternationalSupportFacebookpage

•AttendyourCollegeInduction

•GetreadyfortheScottishweather–buyawarmwaterproofjacket,boots,scarf,hatandgloves

TogetupdatesoneventsandactivitieshappeningintheCollegeandthroughoutGlasgowandkeepintouchwithfellowInternationalStudents,just“Like”ourCityofGlasgowCollegeInternationalSupportFacebookpage.Usethepagetodiscussyourideasandsuggestions.

OurfriendlystaffinStudentServicesareonhandtohelpyouwithalloftheaboveifyouneedanyhelp.

Checklist

You will find a copy of this guide plus some more useful information guides by accessing MyCity, International Student Support.


Thereareafewthingsthatyouwillneedtoorganiseassoonaspossibleafteryouarrive,forexampleopeningabankaccountandregisteringwithadoctor.

Youshouldopenabankaccountassoonasyoucanastheprocesscantakebetweentwoandthreeweeks.Toopenanaccountyouwillneedthefollowingdocuments:

•Passportandvisa

•Proofthatyouareastudent(aletterfromtheCollegeandyourstudentcard)

•Proofofyouraddress(lease/tenancyagreement)

AbankwillaskforaletterfromtheCollegetoconfirmthatyouareenrolledonacourse.YoucangetthisletterfromaStudentAdvisorintheStudentServicesoffices.

PleasenotethatyouareonlypermittedtoopenONEbankaccountduringyourstayintheUK.ThereforeyouwillonlybegivenonebankletterfromtheCollege.Forthisreason,pleasemakesureyouchoosethebankthatwillsuityoubest.

BelowaresomeofthebanksthatstudentsuseinGlasgow:

Santander35-39GordonStreetGlasgowG13PFwww.santander.co.uk

RoyalBankofScotland23SauchiehallStreetGlasgowG23ADwww.rbs.co.uk

BankofScotland167-201ArgyleStreetGlasgowG28BUwww.bankofscotland.co.uk

CurrencyThecurrencyintheUKisPoundSterling(£)

•1pound(£1)=100pence(100p)

•Coins:1p,2p,5p,10p,20p,50p,£1and£2

•Banknotes:£5,£10,£20,£50and£100

Basic GoodsApprox costs (£)

Loafofwhitebread £1.00

1litreofsemi-skimmedmilk £1.00

6mediumeggs £1.70

Margarine(500g) £1.00

Cheese(250g) £2.00

CookingOil(1litre) £1.60

Pasta–uncookedspaghetti(500g)

£0.80

Rice(1kg) £1.85

Noodles(300g) £1.60

Drinks

Coca-Cola(2litres) £1.90

Coffee–Instant(100g) £2.00

TeaBags(80bags) £1.85

MineralWater(2litres) £0.85

Cupofcoffee £1.40-£3.00

Cupoftea £1.00+

Non-alcoholicdrink £1.20+

Other

Dailynewspaper 50p-£2.00

Paperbackbooks £7.00+

Magazine £2.50+

CinemaTicket £5.50-£7.00

First Days: Banking & Registering with a Doctor & Dentist

CostsHereisasmalllistofapproximatecoststohelpyouwithbudgetingwhilelivinghereinGlasgow.


GroceriesYouwillfindmanyplacestobuyyourdaytodayfoodsinGlasgow.Therearelargesupermarketsthatstockawidevarietyoffooditemsandhouseholdgoods.Therearealsosmallertraditionalstoresincluding:

•Greengrocersthatsellfruitandvegetables

•Fishmongersthatsellfreshfish,seafoodandsomespecialitypoultry

•Butchersthatsellfreshmeat

GlasgowalsohasanumberofmorespecialistfoodshopsincludingChinesesupermarkets,HalalButchers,andhealthfoodstores:

Health and EmergenciesTheNationalHealthService(knownastheNHS)isthestatehealthcareserviceintheUK.Mostservicesarefree.AllInternationalStudentsinfulltimeeducationinScotlandareeligibleforNHStreatment,whateverthelengthoftheirstudies.Thisalsoappliestodependantsie.spousesanddependantsunder16yearsold(19yearsifstillatschool).

DoctorsItisimportantthatyouregisterwithadoctor(alsoknownasGeneralPractitionerorGP)assoonasyouarriveinScotland.Toregister,visitalocaldoctor’ssurgeryduringopeninghoursandtakealetterfromthecollegetoproveyouareastudent.YouwillfillinsomeformsandthenyouwillbesentamedicalcardthroughthepostwhichwillhaveyourNHSnumberonit.

IfyouareillyoucanmakeanappointmentwithyourGP.Thisconsultationisfreeandifyourequiremedicineyouwillbegivenaprescriptiontotaketoapharmacy.PrescriptionsarecurrentlyfreeofchargeinScotland.

IfyouliveintheStudentResidences,stafftherewillhelpyoutoregisterwithalocaldoctor.

TheNHSwebsiteservicewillhelpyoulocateyournearestGPviaapostcodesearch:www.nhs24.com/FindLocalJustenteryourpostcode,selecttheserviceyouarelookingfor(e.g.GP,dentistetc)andthesearchwillbringuplocalservices/practitionersforyourarea.

IfyouareillwhenyourGPsurgeryisclosedandyouaretooilltowaituntilitreopensyoucanaccessNHS24byphoning111.Thisisanoutofhoursphoneservicewhichoffershelpandadvice.

Ifyouneedurgentmedicaltreatmentandyouareabletogettohospital,thehospitalsbelowofferanAccidentandEmergencyservice:

Glasgow Royal Infirmary 84 Castle Street G4 0SF Tel: 0141 211 9600

DentistsYoushouldalsoregisterwithadentist.Dentaltreatmentisnotfreeofcharge.Youshouldtrytoregisterwithadentist

Supermarket Speciality

Solly’s Fruit and Veg 381-383GreatWesternRoad,GlasgowG4

AfricanandCaribbean

Chans Ltd. 37-39FarnellStreet(offGarscubeRoad),GlasgowG49SE

Asian

See Woo Chinese Supermarket ThePoint,29SaracenStreet,HamiltonHill,GlasgowG225HT

Asian

Oriental Foods 303GreatWesternRoad,GlasgowG49HR

AsianandHalal

El-Baraka 333GreatWesternRoad,GlasgowG4

MiddleEasterndeli

Super Asia 328PollokshawsRoad,GlasgowG41

AsianandHalal

Strawberry & Spice Garden 53-54ForthSt,GlasgowG412SP

Fruit,VegandSpices

Victoria Infirmary Grange Road G42 9LF Tel: 0141 201 6000


whotreatsNHSpatientsandcheckiftheywillseeyouincasesofanemergency.Ifyouaretreatedasaprivatepatient(i.e.notthroughtheNHS),youwillbechargedahigherpriceforanytreatmentyoureceive.

Tofindadoctorordentistnearwhereyoustay,telephonetheNHSinformationlineon0800 22 44 88orchecktheirwebsitewww.nhs24.com

Foremergencydentaltreatment,particularlyifyouhavenotyetregisteredwithadentist,contact:

Glasgow Dental NHS Trust378 Sauchiehall StGlasgowG2 3JZTel: 0141 232 6323tomakeanappointment.

NHSchargesapply,butusuallythecostisnohigherthan£35,dependingonthetreatmentrequired.

IfyouwouldlikemoreinformationonhealthcareservicesinGlasgow,pleasecontacttheStudentAdvisorsinStudentServices.

Sexual, Reproductive and Emotional HealthFreecontraceptionisavailablefromStudentAdvisorsatanyofourCampuses.Ifyouwouldliketoseeaprofessionalaboutanissueyouhave,TheSandyfordInitiativeprovidesasexualhealthserviceacrossthewholeofGlasgow.Sandyfordservicescanprovideyouwithalltheinformationandhelpyouneedwhenitcomestosexual,reproductiveandemotionalhealth.

Sandyford Initiative 2-6 Sandyford PlaceG3 7NB Tel: 0141 211 8601

Health and Personal InsuranceEventhoughyouareentitledtofreeNHStreatmentwhileyouareinGlasgow,youshouldtakeouthealthinsurancetocoveradditionalpossiblecost,forexample,costsofvisitinghomeifarelativeisunwell.EndsleighisonecompanywhohavepoliciesspecificallyforInternationalstudentsstudyingintheUK.Informationcanbefoundat:www.endsleigh.co.uk

Internationalstudentsareexpectedtobeabletosupportthemselvesfinanciallyandthisincludesfindingaplacetolive.BeforecomingtotheUK,youshouldhaveorganisedaccommodationatleastforyourfirstfewdaysorweeks.

If you need urgent medical treatment are unable to get to hospital, the emergency telephone number for an ambulance is 999.


TheStudentAdvisorshaveanAccommodationGuidewhichprovidesadviceandinformation.Ifyouarehavinganyproblemswithyouraccommodation,pleaseseeoneoftheStudentAdvisorsinStudentServiceswithoutdelay.

WhatTypeOfAccommodationIsAvailable?

ResidenciesCityofGlasgowCollegeStudentResidences

ThecollegehassomeselfcateredstudentaccommodationattheRiversideCampus(StLukes)andhassecuredsomeadditionalstudentaccommodationnearthecitycampus.Formoreinformationandtoapplyforaplace,

email:[email protected]

Other Student ResidencesThisisaccommodationspecificallyforstudents.Youcanchoosetolivealoneinaroomandshareakitchenwithotherstudentsorrentaflatofyourown.Youmaywishtoconsideranalternativeaccommodationprovider.Thesestudentaccommodationdevelopmentsareeasilyaccessibleandwithinwalkingdistancefromourcampusesandincludeon-sitemanagementOfficesandcaretakers24hoursaday.TheyalsohaveCCTVandsecuredoorentrysystems.

Privately Rented Apartments (Flats)AfteryouhavebeenintheUKforsometimeandhavefoundasmallgroupoffriends,youmaywishtoshareafurnishedflatorhousetogether.Youwillsharetherent,heatingandlightingbills,thefoodbillsandthecleaning.Thissortofaccommodationcanbecheaperthantheothertypes.

Manystudentsshareflatswhiletheyarestudying.TheAccommodationGuidethatyoucangetfromStudentServicesincludesthewebsitesandcontactdetailsofcompaniesthatrentflatsinGlasgow.Pricescanrangefrom£350-£550permonthforaonebedroomflatinthecity.

Council TaxThisisalocaltaxthatpeoplearerequiredtopayforservicessuchasroadmaintenanceandrefusecollection.Moststudentsstudyingfull-timecollegecoursesdonothavetopayCouncilTaxbutyoumustfillinaformtoapplyforthisexemptionandgetitstampedbyCollegestafftoconfirmthatyouareastudenthere.YouwillbeabletogetthisformfromStudentServices.IfyoushareaflatwithsomeonewhoisnotastudentyoumaybeeligibleforareductioninCouncilTax,butnotanexemption.

Living away from homeThismaybethefirsttimeyouarelivingawayfromhome;therecanbealottoremembersopleasefollowtheadvicebelowtokeepyourpossessionssafe:

•Don’tforgetaboutinsurance-makesureyourimportantthingsarecovered.YoucangetcontentsinsurancefromcompaniessuchasEndsleighinsurance

•Insharedaccommodation,lookaftereachother-keeptheouterdoorslockedandcheckwhoyouletinorwhofollowsyouin.Challengeanyoneyoudon’tknow

•Lockdoorsandwindowsbeforeyougoout

•Keepgifts,cashandvaluablessafeandwellhidden

•PutyourpostcodeonyourvaluableswithaUVpen.IfyourvaluablesarefoundthiswillmakeiteasierforyouritemstobereturnedtoyoubythePolice

•Leavealightoninaroomandclosethecurtainswhenyougooutatnight

•Makesurecallerstoyourhomearegenuine,alwaysaskforidentification

Accommodation


TheCollegeiscommittedtoprovidingallstudents,staffandvisitorswithasafeandsupportiveenvironment.

Glasgowisasafeandfriendlycityhoweveryoushouldalwaysbeawareofyoursurroundingsanduseyourcommonsensewhereveryouare.

Belowaresometipstoenableyoutostaysafe:

Buddy up:Ifyouarereturninghomelateatnight,avoidisolatingyourself.Trytowalkingroups,usepublictransportandstayonwell-litstreets.Makesurethatyouhaveyourmobilephonewithyou.

Areas to avoid after dark:Parksandisolatedareas.StudentsbasedatRiversidecampusshouldavoidtheClydeWalkwayifwalkingalone,especiallyatnight.TheCollegeiscurrentlyworkingwiththePolicetoimprovelightingandinstallCCTVattheClydeWalkway.

Stay alert:Listentoyourinstincts.Payattentiontowhatisgoingonaroundyouandavoidblockingoutsoundswithearphones.Youreyesandearsareyourbestdefence.Ifyouthinkyouarebeingfollowed,eitheronfootorbysomeoneinacar,donotignoreyourinstincts.Trytogotoabusypopulatedarea.Ifyoufeelyouareinimmediatedangerrun,screamandmakeascene!

Let people know where you are and where you are going:Ifyou’regoingout,letyourfriendsandflatmatesknowwhereyou’regoingandwhenyouexpecttoreturn.

Cash machines:Beawareofothersaroundyouatcashmachinesandtrynottousethematnightorinpoorlylitareas.Itismuchsafertouseacashmachineinsideabankortogetcash-backatasupermarketcheckoutwhenpayingforgroceries.

Do not open your door to strangers:Makesureyoucheckwhothevisitorisbycheckingtheiridentificationbeforeyouopenthedoor.Ifyouareconcerneddonotopenthedoor!Adoorchaincanalsobeuseful.

Using taxis:Ifyouaretravellingatnightyoushoulduseataxi.GlasgowTaxisareadistinctiveblackLondon-stylecabandarelicensedtobehailedfromthestreetorofficialtaxirank.Youcanalsobookbytelephoning01414297070.Ifyouareoutdonotaccepttaxioffersfromprivatetaxicompanies.Thisisillegalandcanalsobedangerous.

If someone attempts to steal something from you, do not resist:yoursafetycomesfirst.Itisimportantthatyoureportanythefttoamemberofstaffandthepolice.Ifyouarefeelingworriedorvulnerable,speaktoaStudentAdvisor.

IfyouliveinStudentResidencesandareconcernedaboutastrangerwithintheaccommodationtelephonesecurityimmediately.

TheStudents’AssociationandCollegeworkcloselywithPoliceScotlandtoensureyoursafety.YoucanfindsomeusefulinformationregardingpersonalsafetyonthePoliceScotlandwebsite:www.scotland.police.uk

Intheeventofanemergency,dialtheEmergencyServiceson999,forpolice,ambulanceandfireservices.

Staying Safe


Reporting Hate CrimeHatecrimeisacrimecommittedagainstapersonorpropertythatismotivatedby“maliceorill-willtowardsanidentifiablesocialgroup”.Itislikelythatyouhavebeenavictimofhatecrimeifyoubelievethatyouhavebeentargetedbecauseofyour:

•Disability

•Race

•Religionorbelief

•Sexualorientation

•Transgenderidentity

HatecrimecantakeanumberofformsanditisimportanttoreportahatecrimetoeitherthePolicedirectly,orthroughourCollege,whichisaThirdPartyReportingCentre.

ThirdPartyReportingCentresareasafe,neutrallocationwithinthecommunitywherepeoplecanreporthatecrimeorhateincidentswithouthavingtocontactthePolicedirectly.

Anybodycanusethisfacilityregardlessofwhethertheyareavictim,witness,orjustsomeonewhoisawareofinformationthatneedstobereported.

Toreportahatecrime,simplycontactoneofourtrainedmembersofstaff,oralternativelyyoucancompleteananonymousformandpostthisinadropbox.FormsanddropboxesarelocatedineachCollegebuilding.

Wearecommittedtosupportingadiverserangeofstaffandstudentswhounderstandandrespectdifferences,andwhoreflectthediversityofpeopleandsocieties.Thiswillallowustodevelopaninclusiveenvironmentinwhicheveryoneisencouragedtoperformtotheirmaximumpotential,andwherestudentsandstafffeeltheircontributionisvalued.

PleasevisittheCollegewebsiteformoredetails:

http://www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk/about-us/ third-party-reporting

Diversity & EqualitiesWearecommittedtoadvancingdiversityandequalitiesacrossallaspectsofCollegelifeandtakeseriouslyourresponsibilitiesundertheEqualityAct2010,whichincludesensuringfairtreatmentforstaffandstudentsacrossthefollowingprotectedcharacteristics:

•Age

•Disability

•Genderreassignment

•Marriageandcivilpartnership

•Pregnancyandmaternity

•Race

•Religionandbelief

•Sex

•Sexualorientation

YoumightnotagreewitheverythingpeoplesayatCollege,orgetonwitheveryone,buttomakethemostofCollegelife,it’sreallyimportanttothinkaboutpeople’sviewsandtotryandseewherethey’recomingfrom.

Itisimporttounderstandthatpeoplemaybefromdifferentbackgrounds,culturesandhavedifferentwaysofseeingtheworld.Inotherwords,eachofyouhaveadifferentframeofreference.So,trytolearnfromothersinsteadofassumingtheyarewrongandremember,‘differentfromme’doesnotmean‘lessimportantthanme’–weareallequallyvalued.


Police RegistrationIfyouholdaTier4visaandyouareanationalofoneofthefollowingcountries/territories,yourvisashouldincludeaconditionwhichrequiresyoutoregisterwiththepolicewithin7daysofyourarrivalintheUKorwithin7daysofreceivingyourbiometricresidencepermitifyouareextendingfromwithintheUK:

Afghanistan,Algeria,Argentina,Armenia,Azerbaijan,Bahrain,Belarus,Bolivia,Brazil,China,Colombia,Cuba,Egypt,Georgia,Iran,Iraq,Israel,Jordan,Kazakhstan,Kuwait,Kyrgyzstan,Lebanon,Libya,Moldova,Morocco,NorthKorea,Oman,Palestine,Peru,Qatar,Russia,SaudiArabia,Sudan,Syria,Tajikistan,Tunisia,Turkey,Turkmenistan,UnitedArabEmirates,Ukraine,Uzbekistan,Yemen

Itisimportanttosafeguardyourdocumentsandensurethattheyremainvalid,wherenecessary,forthedurationofyourstayintheUK.

Ifyourpassportoryourvisaisduetoexpire,donotleaveituntiltheveryendofyourstayhereintheUKbeforetryingtoseekanextension.Insomecasesthismaytakemonths,sodoapplywellinadvance.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutyourvisaoraboutthetermsunderwhichyoucantakeemploymentwhileyouareastudent,pleaseseetheInternationalOfficer,SherylNicolson,whoislocatedattheInternationalOfficeonsecondflooroftheRiversideCampus.

AstheconditionsthatapplytoyourvisaandimmigrationstatusundertheUKVisasandImmigrationPointsBasedSystemareverystrict,youarestronglyadvisedtoobtainuptodateinformationandtodiscussanyissuesthatconcernyou.

IfyouwishtosubmitanapplicationtoextendyourimmigrationpermissionasastudentyoucancontacttheInternationalOfficeforinformation.Youcanalsofindtherelevantinformationandapplicationformsat:

https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa

Immigration & Visa Rules

How to register

Go to:Strathclyde Police Station 173 Pitt StreetGlasgowTel: 0141 532 2421/ 2603

Requirements • £34 fee • Passport photograph • Passport • CAS statement• Proof of address (must be from

landlord or Halls of Residence)


Checkwhatyourpassportsticker(entryclearanceorresidencepermit)orbiometricresidencepermit(identitycard)says.YoucanworkintheUKifyourpassportstickeroridentitycardsaysoneofthefollowing:

•Work(andanychanges)mustbeauthorised

•AbletoworkasauthorisedbytheSecretaryofState

•WorkasinTier4Rules

•RestrictedWork.P/Ttermtime(parttimeduringwhileatcollege)F/Tvacations(fulltimeduringcollegeholidays)

•Restrictedworktermtime

•Worklimitedtomax20hrsperweekduringterm-time

•Worklimitedtomax10hrsperweekduringterm-time

Yourpassportstickeroridentitycardmightsaysomethingabitdifferentfromtheseexamples,butyoucanworkifitdoes notsay:

Nowork,orWorkprohibited.

Youmustnotworkifyourpassportstickeroridentitycardsays“No work”or“Work prohibited”becausethiswouldbeabreachofyourimmigrationconditionsandacriminaloffence.Ifyouthinkthatthereisanerrorintheworkinghoursenteredinyourvisa,pleaseseetheInternationalOfficerwhowilladviseyouonyouroptions.

National Insurance NumbersToworkintheUK,youmusthaveaNationalInsuranceNumber.ToapplyforaNationalInsurancenumber,contactJobCentrePlusApplicationlineon08456000643.Linesareopenfrom8.00amto6.00pm,MondaytoFriday.

Looking For A Part-Time JobStudentServicesofferssupportforallstudentswhowanttoworkpart-time.EmployerssendtheirjobvacanciestotheCareerssectionwhoadvertisethemtoourstudents.

Working

TosignupfortheVacancyServiceemail:

[email protected],courseandthekindofjobyouarelookingfor.

TheStudentAdvisorscanhelpyouwiththejobapplicationprocessandcanprovideinformationonthebestplacestolookforwork.

13www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk

Cultureshockdescribestheimpactofmovingfromafamiliarculturetoonethatfeelsunfamiliar-itcanaffectanyone.Theshockofbeingseparatedfromtheimportantpeopleinyourlifeandallthesights,sounds,tastesandsmellsofyourhomecountrycanmeanthatattimesyoumissthemverymuchandfeelquiteupset.Movingtoanewcountry,meetinglotsofnewpeopleandlearningthewaysofadifferentcountryisexcitingbutcanalsobestressful.Thisisusuallyatemporaryfeeling,andtherearethingsyoucandotohelpyourself:

•Keepintouchwithfamilyandfriendsbackhome

•Havefamiliarthingsfromhomearoundyoue.g.photographsorornamentsthathavespecialmeaning

•Tryandmakenewfriendsandlearnaboutothercultures

•Ifyouhaveafaith,itmayhelptoseekoutalocalplaceofworship

•Takeregularexercise

•Findashopthatsellsfamiliarfoods

•GetinvolvedwithhelpingoutattheStudents’Association

SpeaktooneoftheStudentAdvisorsifyouarefeelingloworconcernedaboutanything.Thereisacounsellingserviceavailable,justmakeanappointmentwithanAdvisorwhowillreferyoutothecounsellingserviceaswellasprovideongoingsupport.TheInternationalStudentSupportCo-ordinatorscanalsohelpandsupportyou.

CityBuddiesWeofferaBuddyschemewhichaimsto:

•HelpInternationalstudentssettleintolifeinGlasgow

•AllowonetooneinitialandongoingsupportfornewInternationalstudents

•EnhanceculturalintegrationbetweenHomeandInternationalstudents

Our“CityBuddies”areHomestudentswhovolunteertohelpyousettleintoyournewlifehereinGlasgow.

Ifyouareinterestedinthisscheme,pleasecontact:

InternationalStudentSupportCo-ordinatoron01415652520ore-mail:

[email protected](Mon–Wed)or

[email protected](Wed–Fri)

Settling InStaying in Touch with Friends and Family Back HomeAlthoughyouwillmakefriendsinGlasgow,itisstillimportanttokeepintouchwithfriendsandfamilybackhome.

CallsThecheapestwaytomakeinternationalcallsisusuallybymobilephone.ThereareanumberofcompaniesintheUKwhooffergoodmobilephonepackages.Visitwebsitessuchas

www.moneysupermarket.comtofindasuitabledeal.

InternetYouwillbeabletoaccessfreeInternetatCollegethroughourlibraryandcomputerlabsandSACommonRoom.Youcanuseemailandsomesocialnetworkingsitestokeepintouchwithfriendsandfamilybackhome.YoucanalsogetfreeinternetaccessbyjoiningGlasgowLibraries.Formoreinformationpleaseseewww.glasgowlife.org.uk/libraries.

SkypeIfyouhaveaccesstobroadbandinyouraccommodationyoucanuseSkypesoftwaretomakefreevideoandvoicecallswithotherSkypeusers.

International PostageIfyouprefertowritelettersorsendgiftshome,RoyalMailoffersareliableservice.ThePostOfficesclosesttotheCollegeareat59GlassfordStandat47StVincentSt.YoucanalsouseprivatecouriersincludingDHLtosendpackagesquickly.

Formoreinformationvisit:

www.royalmail.com

www.dhlitnow.com


ClimateGlasgowiswellknownforitschangingweatheranditisnotuncommontoexperiencefourseasonsinoneday!WintersinScotlandcanbequitemildwithaveragetemperaturesofbetween5and7degreesCentigrade.However,itisnotunusualtoexperiencereallycoldspellstoowherethetemperaturecandropto0-2degreesCentigrade.Scotlandcanalsobeverywet.JulyandAugustarethehottestsummermonthswithaveragetemperaturesof19degreesCentigrade.

TokeepdryandwarmwhileinScotlanditisrecommendedthatyoubuy:

•Awarmcoat–waterproofifpossiblewithahood

•Anumbrella

•Goodqualitybootsorshoes

•Warmclothesincludingfleeces,hatandgloves

Dependingonyourbudgetyouwillfindalloftheaboveitemsinthefollowingstores:

•Tesco

•Asda

•Primark

•MarksandSpencer

•Tiso

C AverageTemperatureCentigradeMM AverageRainfallS AverageHoursSunshine

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

C 6 7 9 12 15 17 19 19 16 12 9 7

MM 123 89 97 53 58 58 64 77 104 119 117 120

S 1 2 3 4 6 6 5 5 4 3 2 1


ReligionIfyouarelookingforaplacetoworshipinGlasgow,pleaseaskatStudentServicesfortheleafletaboutChaplaincy.Thisincludesalistoflocalplacesofworship.Thesedetailscanalsobefoundonthecollegewebsite.

InordertomeetthespiritualneedsofourdiversestudentandstaffpopulationtheCollegeprovidesaChaplaincyService.

Thepurposeoftheserviceis:

•Toofferskills,experienceandexpertiseinraisingawarenessofthespiritualdimensionthroughouttheCollege

•Toprovideindividualonetoonesupportforthespiritualandnonspiritualneedsofourdiversestudentsandstaff

•Tosupportstudentsandstaffintimesofdifficultyincludingcrisisandbereavement

•Toprovideopportunitiesforthereflectionanddiscussiononpersonalandinstitutionalbeliefs,valuesandattitudes

•ToworkcollaborativelywithotherCollegesupportsystems.

•ToassisttheCollegeinthereviewandimplementationofitsEqualitySchemes

•ToassisttheCollegecelebratereligiouseventsandfestivals

•ToassisttheCollegebuildlinkswithcommunitygroups

YoucancontacttheChaplaincybythefollowingemail:[email protected]


ActivitiesAprogrammeoffreesocialactivitieswillbeheldonaregularbasisatvariouslocationsoncampus.TherearesportingactivitiesavailablemosteveningsattheCityCampuses.LookoutformoredetailedinformationontheStudents’AssociationnoticeboardsorcallintotheStudents’Associationofficestofindoutwhatisgoingon.YoualsohavetheopportunitytogetinvolvedintheStudents’Associationitselfwhichisagreatwaytomakenewfriendsandplanyourownactivities.

Sports ActivitiesSportsactivitiesavailableintheCityCampusessportshallsinclude:basketball,football,volleyball,badminton,aerobicsandcircuittraining.

YouwillfindanewlyrefurbishedgymbasedinCityCampusTownhead,whichcontainsawiderangeofcardiovascularandresistancemachines.Adviceisavailableonallaspectsofpersonalfitnessincludingprogrammedevelopment,specificsportstrainingandhealthylifestyleoptions.

Glasgowhasmanyleisurecentresprovidedby‘GlasgowLife’andstudentscanjoinTheGlasgowClubwhichoffersdiscountsonadmissionpricestosportscentres.Formoreinformationvisittheirwebsite:

www.glasgowlife.org.uk

Want to know more?Ifyouhaveanysuggestionsorideasforotheractivitiesorifyouwouldliketohelpoutwithorganisingevents,whynotpopintotheStudents’AssociationofficesforachatwithamemberoftheStudentEngagementteam,orspeakwiththeStudentPresident.

TheStudents’AssociationofficeatCityofGlasgowCollege,CityCampusislocatedinthe2ndfloorofCityCampus,TownheadandonthegroundfloorintheThistleSuiteatRiverside.

GlasgowGlasgowisoneofEurope’smostvibrantandcosmopolitancities.OurcitycentrelocationmakestheCollegeeasilyaccessibleforstudentsbyalltypesoftransportandtheentertainmentandshoppingcapitalofScotlandisonyourdoorstep.

Things to DoThereisawidevarietyofcinemas,clubs,barsandrestaurantstochoosefromandmorethanthirty-fivemuseumsandgalleriestovisitincludingtheKelvingroveArtGallery&MuseumandtheBurrellCollection.Ifyouenjoymoviesortheatre,thereareanumberofcinemasincludingtheGlasgowFilmTheatreandCineworldintheCityCentre.

Throughouttheyearthereareanumberoffestivalsincluding:

• January: Celtic Connections

• February: Glasgow Film Festival

• March: Magners Comedy Festival

• April: Glasgow Art Fair

• June: West End Festival

• August: International Piping Festival

• November/December: Winter Fest

GlasgowhasawideandvariedmusicsceneandwasvotedasaUNESCOCityofMusicandhashostedtheprestigiousMOBOawards.

InsportingtermsGlasgowishometothreeprofessionalfootballteamsandrecentlyhostedthe2014CommonwealthGames.

Glasgowalsohasmanypubsandclubstosuitalltastes.TheWestEndispopularwithstudentsofferingmanydifferentplacestoeatanddrink.Youshouldcarrysomeformofidentificationasyoumaybeaskedforproofofyourage.Youneedtobeatleast18togetintomostpubsandclubsinGlasgow,butforsomeyouneedtobe21.Youmustbeover18tobuyalcoholinapuborashop.Itisillegaltodrinkalcoholonthestreets.Donotfeelthatyouneedtodrinkalcoholassoftdrinks,fruitjuiceandwaterareavailable.

ForinformationonwhatisgoingoninGlasgow,pleaselookatthefollowingwebsites

www.seeglasgow.com

www.glasgowguide.co.uk

www.s1play.com

www.list.co.uk


Tours in Glasgow and BeyondWhenyou’vehadenoughofcitylife,Glasgowisonlyanhour’sdrivefromthebeautifulScottishcountrysidewhereyoucanrelaxandexploremoreofScotland’sbeautifullandscapeandlearnaboutourhistory.

ThereissomuchtodoinGlasgowandScotlandandwerecommendyoumakethemostofyourtimeheretoexploreourwonderfulcityandcountry.StudentToursScotlandisspecificallyforstudentsandofferseverythingfromwalkingtoursaroundGlasgowtodaytripstothehighlands.Formoreinformationandtobookpleasevisittheirwebsite:www.studenttoursscotland.com

IfyoufancyalongertouraroundScotland(ortherestoftheUK)HaggisAdventuresrunfantastictripsfrom1dayto3weeks.Visittheirwebsiteformoredetailsandforbookings:www.haggisadventures.com

Eating OutGlasgowisacosmopolitancitythatcaterstoawiderangeoftastesandbudgets.Therearemanyrestaurantsandcafestochoosefrom.Whateveryourtaste,fromIndiantoThai,GreektoMongolianyouaresuretofinditinGlasgow.TherearealsomanywellknowncoffeeshopsandfastfoodoutletssuchasStarbucksandMcDonalds.

TofindoutmoreabouteatingoutinGlasgowgoto:

The List or 5pm.co.uk

forgreatdealsanddiscountsoneatingout.

ShoppingGlasgowisashopper’sparadiseandisthe2ndonlytoLondonforretail.Themainshoppingthoroughfare,BuchananStreet,hasbeenvotedoneoftheworld’stopretaildestinations.Youcanshopatmajorhighstreetstores,smallerboutiques,departmentstoresandawidevarietyofspecialityshops,includingcraftandantiqueshops.TheWestEndofGlasgowhasmanysmallerboutiquesthatcaterforamorebohemianlook.Therearealsoanumberoflargeshoppingmallswithineasytravellingdistanceofthecitycentre.Mostshopsareopenfrom9:00amuntilatleast5:00pmeveryday.OnThursdaysshopsinthecityopenlater,usuallyuntil7:00or8:00pm.MostshopsarealsoopenonaSunday.



Glasgow Dialect & Student SupportYoumayfindthatGlaswegiansspeakalittlequickerthannativesofothercitiesintheUK.GlaswegiansalsousewordsthatarespecifictothecityandScotlandasawhole.Wehavecompiledabrieflistofsomeofthewordsandtheirmeaningswhichmayhelpyouduringyourstay.

YoushouldlistentoScottishradiostationssuchasClyde1andHeartScotlandaswellasRadioScotland.WatchinglocalTVnewsstationsandTVprogrammessuchasRiverCity,aGlasgowsoapopera,isalsorecommended.

StudentswhofindtheirbasicskillsrequireassistanceatanypointinthesessionshoulddiscussthematterassoonaspossiblewiththeirCourseLeader/On-CourseTutor.HelpcanbegivenwithEnglishlanguage,studyskills,reportwriting,computerskills,numeracyetc.

English Language Support WerecognisethatstudyinginaforeignlanguagepresentsachallengeandwewanttohelpyoutouseyourtimeatCityofGlasgowCollegetodevelopyourEnglishlanguageskillssothatyoucanachieveyourstudygoalsandincreaseyouremployability.

IfyouwouldliketodiscussEnglishlanguagesupportpleasecontactamemberofthestudentdevelopmentteamon01415652796ore-mail:

[email protected](Mon-Wed)or

[email protected] (Wed-Fri)

Using every day EnglishYoucanimproveyourEnglishbyimmersingyourselfinasmuchspokenandwrittenEnglishaspossible.Herearesometipsonhowtodothis.Youcanaccessthesewebsitelinksthrough

MyCity-InternationalStudentSupport

ReadEnglishlanguagenewspapersasoftenyoucan.TheMetroisdistributedfreeonpublictransportinScotlandandyoucanreaditonlineat:

www.metro.co.uk

TheGuardianandTheHeraldarequalitynewspaperswhichareavailableonlineforfreeandalsoavailableintheStudents’AssociationCommonRoom:

www.guardian.co.uk

www.heraldscotland.com

WatchEnglishlanguagetelevision.SomepeopleprefertohaveEnglishsubtitlesonwhiletheywatchbutitisusefultotryandlistenonly,evenifitmeansyoudonotunderstandeveryword.

www.simpleenglishnews.com

isawebsitewhichhassimplifiedversionsofcurrentnewsitems.Itisagreatwaytogetabasicunderstandingof

Scots Translation

Ah I

Aye Yes

Aw All

Backof1o’clock After1o’clock

Blether Chat/Talk

CarryOut Food/Drinktotakeaway

Driech Miserableweather

Efter After

Fur For

Greet Cry

Heid Head

Huv Have

Hen Atermforafemale

Ken Know

Lassie Girl

Ma My

Mair More

Messages Shopping

Mind Remember

Naw No

No Not

Piece Sandwich

Stushie Commotion

Tae To

Toon Town

Wean Child

Wee Little

Wheesht! BeQuiet!


atextandthenperhapstryreadingthesamestoryinitsoriginalversioninanEnglishlanguagenewspaper

Elllo(EnglishLanguageListeningLibraryOnline)isawonderfulresourceforlisteningtorealEnglish.Itisacollectionofinterviewswithpeoplefromdifferentcountriesonlotsofinterestingtopics.ItisusefultolistentoEnglishinlotsofdifferentaccentsasnoteverybodyspeakstheQueen’sEnglish!

www.elllo.org/english/TheAchives

Thiswebsitehaslotsofquitesimpleshortstoriesthatyoucanreadandlistentowhenyouhaveaspare15minutes,followedbyexerciseswhichthentestyourvocabularyandcomprehension.

www.rong-chang.com

TheBBCwebsitehaslotsofusefulmaterialforEnglishlanguagelearners.Forexample,thissectionofthesiteprovidesactivitiesforpractisingyourEnglishlisteningskills.Ithasaweekly‘soap’called‘TheFlatmates’withquestions,quizzesandactivities.

www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish

MusicisagreatwaytolearnEnglishassonglyricsarecatchyandeasytoremember.

Thiswebsiteusespopularsongsandpoemstohelpyoupracticedifferentgrammarpoints.

www.musicalenglishlessons.com

City of Glasgow College Scottish Charity No SC036198.

60 North Hanover StreetGlasgow G1 2BP tel: +44 (0)141 566 6222

www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk

Theinformationinthisleafletiscorrectatthetimeofbeingcompiled,butpleasebearinmindthatitisforguidanceonlyandissubjecttochange.

Documents

GUIDE FOR STUDENTS NEW TO GLASGOW · By Train The nearest rail station to the airport is Paisley Gilmour Street, about a mile from the terminal and easily reached by taxi or bus (service