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.
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk4
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.
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk 5
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.
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk6
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
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk 7
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.
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk8
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
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk 9
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
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk10
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.
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk 11
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)
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk12
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
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk14
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
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk 15
ReligionIfyouarelookingforaplacetoworshipinGlasgow,pleaseaskatStudentServicesfortheleafletaboutChaplaincy.Thisincludesalistoflocalplacesofworship.Thesedetailscanalsobefoundonthecollegewebsite.
InordertomeetthespiritualneedsofourdiversestudentandstaffpopulationtheCollegeprovidesaChaplaincyService.
Thepurposeoftheserviceis:
•Toofferskills,experienceandexpertiseinraisingawarenessofthespiritualdimensionthroughouttheCollege
•Toprovideindividualonetoonesupportforthespiritualandnonspiritualneedsofourdiversestudentsandstaff
•Tosupportstudentsandstaffintimesofdifficultyincludingcrisisandbereavement
•Toprovideopportunitiesforthereflectionanddiscussiononpersonalandinstitutionalbeliefs,valuesandattitudes
•ToworkcollaborativelywithotherCollegesupportsystems.
•ToassisttheCollegeinthereviewandimplementationofitsEqualitySchemes
•ToassisttheCollegecelebratereligiouseventsandfestivals
•ToassisttheCollegebuildlinkswithcommunitygroups
YoucancontacttheChaplaincybythefollowingemail:[email protected]
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk16
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
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk17
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.
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk 17
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk18
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!
www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk 19
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.