2015-2016 Student Handbook

Transcription

Bader International Study Centre
Student Handbook
2015-2016
Welcome to the Bader International
Study Centre
You are about to begin a truly one-of-a-kind educational experience at the Bader International
Study Centre at Herstmonceux Castle.
The BISC provides a supportive environment and amazing opportunities to meet new people,
experience independence and grow as an individual in a community which promotes selfdiscipline, the exchange of ideas, diversity, self-directed learning and personal accountability.
Learning at the BISC happens in and outside the classroom: your experience living in residence,
the skills you acquire on field studies, the lessons you learn from your studies, and the
connections you make here can play an important role in helping you develop friendships and
life skills that will help you be successful this year and in the years to come.
At the BISC we are here to assist you in every way they can. Get to know the Student Services
team to learn all the ways they can help you make the connections in residence, on campus
and in the community that will make your time in residence and at the BISC the experience of a
lifetime.
BISC Charter
This Charter is a statement of the partnership expected between students and the Bader
International Study Centre to create a supportive academic community where learning, inquiry,
research and critical assessment may flourish.
The BISC will...
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Develop the BISC and its programs in partnership with students, seeking their input and
feedback
Treat all students equally and without discrimination
Provide a safe and secure environment for learning and social interaction
Respect students and be concerned for their well-being, creating an atmosphere
without fear or intimidation
Provide students with clear and timely information on fees and be transparent in dealings
with students
Offer effective and timely feedback on academic work
Craft a creative, innovative learning environment that fosters intellectual growth and
exchange
Support students’ non-academic social life and concerns with appropriate programs,
staff, services and counselling
Maintain a community based on citizenship, responsible leadership, tolerance and equal
opportunity
Strive for an institutional footprint that is environmentally sustainable and responsive to
available resources
Safeguard student data so as to protect student identity and privacy
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As a student you are expected to...
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Participate actively in your own learning across local, regional and global levels
Develop a critical voice for assessment and evaluation
Craft an ethos of life-long learning and active inquiry
Uphold standards of academic integrity
Partner with others for service to the broader community
Comply with BISC regulations to ensure a harmonious setting for learning
Be a responsible global citizen
Engage with others to support and consolidate the BISC community
Show consideration and respect to staff, faculty and fellow students
Inform the BISC of any disability that may affect your opportunities as a student
Act as worthy ambassadors for the BISC and your home university
Contribute to governing social life through the Student Government and other student
activities
Cultivate a lifestyle that is sustainable and sensitive to the limits on resources
Respect the Castle buildings, estate and grounds
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... iii
Sessional Dates.............................................................................................................................. 1
Fee Payment Schedule ............................................................................................................... 1
Fee Payment Methods ................................................................................................................ 3
Charges, Unpaid Fees, Deposits ............................................................................................. 4
Government Student Financial Assistance ............................................................................... 5
Registering for Your Courses........................................................................................................ 7
First-Year Students ..................................................................................................................... 7
Upper-Year and Law Students ................................................................................................ 7
After You Have Registered… .................................................................................................. 7
Academic Accommodations................................................................................................. 8
Documents .................................................................................................................................... 8
Passport ...................................................................................................................................... 8
Visas ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Additional Documentation ................................................................................................... 13
Health ........................................................................................................................................... 14
Medical Coverage and Services Offered in the UK .......................................................... 14
Medical Services Offered at the Castle .............................................................................. 16
Insurance.................................................................................................................................. 16
Pre-departure Preparations ................................................................................................... 18
Staying Healthy ....................................................................................................................... 20
Safety ........................................................................................................................................... 21
Culture Shock .............................................................................................................................. 23
Travel Arrangements .................................................................................................................. 26
Arrivals ...................................................................................................................................... 26
Departures ............................................................................................................................... 27
The Joy of Packing.................................................................................................................. 27
Arrival in the UK ........................................................................................................................... 31
Orientation ............................................................................................................................... 32
Getting Connected – Staying Connected............................................................................. 33
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Support Services at the Castle.................................................................................................. 35
Academic Support ................................................................................................................. 35
Student Services, Housing, and Operations ........................................................................ 36
General Support ..................................................................................................................... 36
Privacy of Information ............................................................................................................ 36
Facilities at the Castle ................................................................................................................ 37
Computing............................................................................................................................... 37
The BISC Library ....................................................................................................................... 38
Musicians in Residence .......................................................................................................... 39
Residence and Meal Plan ......................................................................................................... 40
Rules and Regulations................................................................................................................ 41
Life at the Castle......................................................................................................................... 44
Field Studies & Optional Activities Overview ...................................................................... 44
Location and Transportation ................................................................................................. 46
Dollars and Cents, Pounds and Pence ................................................................................ 48
Additional Expenses ............................................................................................................... 50
Your Pre-Departure Checklist.................................................................................................... 52
Disclaimer .................................................................................................................................... 53
The Estate..................................................................................................................................... 54
Bader Hall Floor Plan .................................................................................................................. 55
Castle Floor Plan ......................................................................................................................... 56
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Sessional Dates
First-Year Program
Fall Term 2015
Winter Term 2016
Arrival
September 10
January 2
Classes Start
September 14
January 4
Classes End
December 3
March 24
Departure
December 16
April 6
Upper-Year Program
Summer 2015
Summer Field Schools
2015
Fall Term 2015
Winter Term 2016
Summer 2016
2016
Arrival
May 8
May 8
Classes Start
May 11
May 11
Classes End
June 18
Varies
Departure
June 20
Varies
September 10
January 2
May 6
May 6
September 14
January 4
May 9
May 9
December 3
March 24
June 16
Varies
December 16
April 6
June 18
Varies
Global Law Program
Summer Term 2015
Summer Term 2016
Arrival
May 8
May 6
Classes Start
May 11
May 9
Classes End
June 25
June TBC
Departure
July 3
July 2
For a complete listing of 2015-16 sessional dates, including course add/drop dates, please visit
the Office of the University Registrar under Sessional Dates.
Fee Payment Schedule
All BISC fees include: tuition, residence (double room), meal plan, field studies, access to all BISC
facilities, regular trips to the libraries (and borrowing privileges) at the University of Sussex, regular
banking/shopping trips to nearby towns, and transportation from and to Heathrow Airport on
designated days.
Some universities have made arrangements for their students to pay their BISC fees through their
home university. If you will be paying your BISC fees through your home university, please
contact your home university for payment deadlines and regulations.
Important Note: Beginning Fall 2015, Queen’s University is moving to per-term
billing for all students. For more information and FAQ’s, please visit Office of the
University Registrar website.
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First-Year Students
The total program fee is $37,276.
Fee Payment Amount
Due Date
$1000 (non-refundable deposit)
Fall Term 2015
Winter Term 2016
Upon accepting your offer of admission
1 September 2015
10 January 2016
Upper-Year Students and Law Students
Total program fees vary by term as follows:
Term
Program Fee
Summer 2015
Global Law 2015
Summer Field Schools 2015
$9,201
$14,133
Vary by program/school see website for
details
$18,638 (*subject to change)
$18,638 (*subject to change)
TBD
TBD
Vary by program/school see website for
details
Fall 2015
Winter 2016
Summer 2016
Global Law 2016
Summer Specialized Programs and Field Schools
2016
The fee payment schedule is as follows:
Fee Payment Amount
$1,000 (non-refundable
deposit)
Balance of fees
Due Date
Upon accepting your offer of admission
Before departure to the Castle (please see your admission letter for
exact payment amount and due date)
Supplemental Fee for Single Room
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Term
Program
Fee
Summer 2015
2015
Fall 2015 or Winter 2016
Summer 2016
2016
$400
$250
$600
$400
$250
Fee Payment Methods
Important Notes
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Over-the-counter payments (for tuition) are NOT accepted at the Office of the University
Registrar
Queen’s University does not accept e-mail money transfers as offered by some financial
institutions
Payments within Canada
1. Internet, Telephone and ABM Banking
Internet, telephone and ABM banking are available at all major financial institutions in Canada.
Contact your financial institution to add Queen’s University to your Telephone, Internet, and ABM
banking payee list. For further details, visit your financial institution’s website and the Queen’s
Fee Payment Methods. Please be aware that it may take 2 to 4 days for your payment to reach
your Queen’s student account.
Please Note: Your Queen’s student number serves as the Queen’s account number to make
your payment.
Payments from outside Canada
1. Bank Wire Transfers
Funds can be electronically transferred to Queen’s University, but you should be advised that
aside from the initial bank, the receiving bank may impose an additional handling charge. The
information required to wire funds is:
Payable to
Bank
Address and Phone Number
Bank Number
Transit/Branch Number
Account Number
Swift Code or IBAN Code
IBAN Code
Routing Number
IBAN Number
Queen’s University
Bank of Montreal
297 King Street East
Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3B3
+1 (613) 545-3005
001
00162
1046-122
BOFMCAM2
ABA026005092
00161046122
Please Note: Ensure that your name and Queen’s ID number are included in the wire transfer
for proper processing of your payment.
2. By Mail
This method of payment is only for students living outside Canada. Only money orders or bank
drafts payable to Queen’s University will be accepted.
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Please Note: Your name and Queen’s ID number must be clearly written on the front of the
payment. Please allow extra time (approximately 2-3 weeks) for mailing and processing when
using this method of payment.
Please send payments to:
Office of the University Registrar
Records and Services
Gordon Hall, 74 Union Street
Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6
3. Western Union
For payments via Western Union’s ‘Quick Pay’ service, please refer to the Western Union Quick
Pay Form.
When making your choice, request the Quick Collect Rate (blue form) and then insert the
following information
Company Name: Queen’s University
Locale / Code City: QUEENSUONTARIO, ON
Account Number: Insert your Queen’s Student ID number
Additional Notes Regarding Fee Payment
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You can view your Queen’s fee account online using SOLUS or print off a Queen’s Fee
Statement on SOLUS
Account statements and/or payment reminders will not be mailed
In accordance with Queen’s Privacy Policy, students wishing to release financial and/or
academic information to an individual, including a parent or guardian, or to an agency
external to the University may request to do so on SOLUS. Unless authorization for release
is given, financial and academic information will only be released to the student.
(Parents: We cannot release any information to you about your student without their
indicating so on SOLUS or without their written consent. For more information, please see
Privacy of Information.
Additional information regarding fee payment can be found on the University Registrar’s
website under Tuition and Fees
Charges, Unpaid Fees, Deposits
Service Charges
If your account balance is not paid, you will be assessed a service charge (prime + 3%) on any
outstanding balance. Please refer to the Registrar’s website Administrative Fee Information for
current and past service charge rates.
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Unpaid Fees/Debts
Outstanding accounts will be considered overdue and will be subject to the Senate policy
governing overdue accounts:
"Any student with an overdue debt with the University will not be permitted to register or
to receive examination results, official transcripts, or marks reports until the outstanding
account is settled in full or until an acceptable arrangement for settling the account is
made by the department(s) concerned. In no case will a diploma be released to a
student with an outstanding debt with the University."
The Student Fee Account and SOLUS Fee Summary
Your fee account is the account to which all tuition and related fees are charged and all bank
payments are credited. Up to date tuition and residence fee balances are available online
through SOLUS. Outstanding accounts with other departments of the University (e.g., Library) are
also shown on the SOLUS fee account. The responsibility for knowing the current account
balance showing on SOLUS rests with each student.
Additional Notes
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The BISC tuition deposit is non-refundable:
$1,000 CAD Fall/Winter
$1,000 CAD Summer and Summer Field Schools
BISC room and board charges are calculated per diem to date of departure
Government Student Financial Assistance
Special arrangements for government funding may be required should be made before you
travel to the Castle. Please contact the Student Awards Office at Queen’s University at least
one month prior to departure for more information.
Canadian Government Student Assistance
The federal and provincial/territorial governments provide needs-based government student
financial assistance to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons. Students
apply for government assistance through the province/territory they reside (not the province
where they will be attending university).
Out-of-Province Student Assistance
Special arrangements for receiving government funding may be required before you travel to
the Castle. Please contact the Student Awards Office at Queen’s University at least one month
prior to departure for more information.
Once your government funding is approved, you will receive instructions from your
province/territory regarding how to proceed.
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
OSAP funding will be delivered to Ontario students by electronic funds transfer (EFT) once your
OSAP application is complete. We recommend you complete your OSAP student financial aid
application by early July to ensure your funding is available at the start of your study period.
Ensure you have provided consent on your OSAP application if you want someone other than
yourself to interact with Queen’s regarding your OSAP.
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Please contact the Student Awards Office at Queen’s University at least one month prior to
departure to go over your OSAP application and validate that all documentation is complete.
OSAP funding will be deposited directly into the student’s bank account (generally in two
separate instalments; after the beginning of fall and winter terms) once confirmation of the
student’s enrolment has been provided by Queen’s.
United States – Direct Loan Program
Queen’s University participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, in which US
citizens or eligible US non-citizens may apply for Federal loans directly from the US Department of
Education. The Federal School code for Queen's University is G06679.
Bursaries
First Year Applicants
In addition to the Admission Scholarships open to all incoming undergraduate first year Queen’s
students, the Tricolour Bursary is available to incoming Queen's students who chose to undertake
their first year of studies at the BISC.
In order to be considered for a Tricolour Bursary students must submit an Admission Bursary
application. There is no separate application for the Tricolour Bursary; by indicating that you will
be participating in the First Year Program at the BISC on the Admission Bursary application, you
will be automatically considered for the Tricolour Bursary. The application can be submitted as
soon as you apply to Queen's. We recommend you apply by the date posted on the Admission
Bursary application and no later than your admission response deadline.
Note: Queen’s admission bursaries (including the Tricolour Bursary) are based on an assessment
of financial need and applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
Queen’s students attending the first year program at Queen’s receive their bursary funding for
the upcoming year at the BISC on admission to Queen’s, and therefore, will not receive any
further general bursary assistance for their 1st year.
Upper Year Applicants
Awards and bursaries are available to students who choose to attend the BISC in their second or
subsequent year of study. The objective of the bursary program is to assist students who
demonstrate financial need by meeting a portion of their basic costs for attending the BISC.
As part of the assessment for a Queen's BISC Bursary, there is an emphasis on assisting those
students who have and continue to demonstrate need over and above the maximum funding
available through government student financial assistance. All domestic students (Canadian
citizens and permanent residents) must be accessing government student financial assistance in
order to be considered for BISC bursary assistance.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact
Office of the University Registrar – Student Awards
Telephone: 613-533-2216
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.queensu.ca/studentawards
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Registering for Your Courses
First-Year Students
BISC SOAR runs alongside the main Arts and Science SOAR program and is designed to help firstyear BISC students prepare for the transition from high school to university studies at the BISC.
You will find out how to register for your courses on SOLUS (Queen’s Student OnLine University
System) and receive information that you will need for your upcoming international study
experience. The event is also an opportunity to meet your fellow first-year classmates and some
of the BISC faculty and staff, as well as relevant resources on main campus. Information about
BISC SOAR and registration will be sent to you via e-mail. Registration will be done on-line
through the Student Experience Office website. Please check your e-mail regularly for details.
If you are unable to attend BISC SOAR, it is essential that you contact the Office of the University Registrar,
Undergraduate Admission at Queen's University to arrange a telephone advising appointment in order to
register for your courses.
Upper-Year and Law Students
A BISC representative in the admission office will register each student into your chosen courses.
No additional steps are required to register in your courses.
Queen’s Students: If you are attending the Castle for the fall or winter term and plan to enrol in
courses on the Kingston campus for the alternate term, you will need to follow the standard
procedure for registering in courses on the Kingston campus.
After You Have Registered…
1. Make Your Minimum Fee Payment
To complete the registration process, you must comply with the fee payment schedule noted on
page 18. If you will be paying your Castle fees through your home university, you should consult
a study abroad advisor at your home university for information regarding fee payment and
deadlines.
2. Adding and Dropping Courses
Upper-year students wishing to change their courses can do so by contacting Rita Foley
([email protected]) at Queen’s University. If you attend a university other than Queen’s, you
should consult an academic advisor at your home university before changing courses for which
you have received prior approval to take at the Castle. The deadlines for pre-term course
changes are:
Summer 2015
Fall 2015
Winter 2016
Summer 2016
April 3, 2015
July 23, 2015
November 21, 2015
April 1, 2016
Every effort will be made to ensure that courses requested by the appropriate date are
scheduled so that your timetable will be free of conflicts. If you wish to change your courses
after the published dates listed above, you may do so upon arrival at the Castle during the
designated add/drop periods.
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Academic Accommodations
If you are a new Queen’s student with a learning disability requiring academic
accommodation (i.e., a note taker, extra time for exams, access to a computer, etc.) you
should contact Queen’s Disability Services and arrange for an appointment with the Learning
Disabilities Strategist in the summer prior to your arrival at the Castle. Disability Services will issue
you with documentation which you should then forward to the Student and Enrolment Services
Manager ([email protected]) at the Castle prior to your arrival.
If you are an upper-year Queen’s student requiring academic accommodation, you should
contact the Learning Strategist at Disability Services prior to your departure and arrange for any
relevant documentation to be forwarded to the Student and Enrolment Services Manager
([email protected]) at the Castle prior to your arrival.
If you are a non-Queen’s student requiring academic accommodation, you should arrange
for documentation from your home institution to be forwarded to the Student and Enrolment
Services Manager ([email protected]) at the Castle prior to your arrival in the
UK.
Please send an original copy of verification of your registration with your Disability Services Office
(DSO) and a list of any accommodations. Please do not send original medical documentation
to the BISC for the purpose of obtaining academic accommodations such as a letter from your
physician, psychiatrist, or other supporting documentation such psycho-educational
assessments. Please note this information is not automatically forwarded to the BISC from the
DSO.
At the start of the course it may be helpful to identify yourself to your instructor. The choice to
disclose your disability is entirely yours. Your instructor will need to know if you require classroom
accommodations, but you are not obligated to disclose the reason for requiring
accommodations. Keep in mind, however, that the more your instructors understand about your
abilities, the more effectively they can adapt their teaching methods to suit your needs. You
may also wish to invite your instructor to let them know if they require any additional information
about how to make these accommodations work. Final exam accommodations are arranged
directly via Student Services and Administration.
Documents
Before you leave for the Castle it is your responsibility to ensure that all of your
documents are in order. Although staff at Queen’s University and the BISC is pleased to
help with information about travel documents, it is the sole responsibility of each student
to obtain all necessary travel documents.
Passport
Do you have one?
Yes: If you have a passport, it is recommended that it be valid for at least 6 months past your
expected date of return to your home country. You should not begin your travel with a passport
that will expire during your trip or shortly thereafter. To avoid experiencing difficulties while
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travelling, we recommend that you obtain a new passport before leaving if there is any
possibility of expiry while abroad.
No: If you do not currently have a passport, or need to obtain a new one, apply as soon as
possible! Application wait times can vary greatly depending on citizenship, place of residency,
and time of year. This is also a good time to have additional passport photographs taken, as
you may eventually need extras for various other items.
It is a good idea to keep a photocopy of your passport and make an additional copy to leave
with your emergency contact. If you lose your passport, a photocopy makes it much easier and
quicker to replace.
Visas
There have been problems in the past with students who did not apply for their visa in
time and were days late in arriving at the Castle. If you are required to apply for a visa
before departing for the UK, it is in your best interest to start the application process
promptly.
Do I need a visa to study in the UK? The answer depends on your citizenship, your place of
residency, the length of your stay at the Castle, and any plans you may have to extend your
stay in the UK.
If You Will Be Studying at the Castle for Less Than 6 Months
Many students who study at the Castle for less than 6 months are able to enter the United
Kingdom as a student visitor.
To demonstrate that you have been accepted on a course of study at an educational
establishment that is on the Register of Education and Training Providers, the BISC will issue you a
Letter of Attendance (LOA) prior to your departure to the UK. You will be required to present
your LOA at customs control upon arrival in the UK, so make sure that it is not packed in your
checked luggage! You should keep your LOA tucked inside your passport and have these items
on your person at all times when travelling.
Student visitor visa/entry-clearance is issued for a maximum of six months.
Visa nationals
You must apply for entry clearance before you travel to the UK. You should carry all of the
documents that you submitted with your entry clearance application when travelling to the UK.
You may be asked for these documents when you arrive in the UK. A list of visa nationals can be
found at http://bit.ly/1nlhULG on pages 2-5.
Non-visa nationals
You can apply for entry clearance in advance of travelling, or at the port of entry to the UK. You
will need to produce all the documents to support your application when you arrive at the port
of entry to the UK. It is important that you ask to be admitted as a Student Visitor (rather than as
a General visitor) and ask that the stamp in your passport indicates you are a student visitor. If
you obtain entry clearance as a student visitor before travelling, you should carry all of the
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documents that you submitted with your entry clearance application when travelling to the UK.
You may be asked for these documents when you arrive in the UK.
For more information about entering the UK as a student visitor, please see the UK Visas and
Immigration website at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
Please note: If you plan to work or extend your stay in the UK, or if you are a visa national, even
if you are studying at the Castle for less than 6 months you will be required to obtain a Tier 4
(General) Student Visa before you arrive in the UK (see below). A list of visa nationals can be
found on the UK Visas and Immigration website at https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa.
If You Will Be Studying at the Castle for More Than 6 Months
If you will be studying at the Castle for a period greater than 6 months, unless you are able to
travel under a valid passport issued by an EU member country, you will be required to obtain a
Tier 4 Student Visa before arriving in the UK. See https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa for further
details.
NEW PROCEDURE
Owing to recent changes in UK legislation you are required to pay a healthcare
surcharge. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/pay for
more information. Note that you must make the payment before you submit or send
your visa or immigration application (or book an appointment at a premium service
centre).
Find out more about the healthcare surcharge in the Health section of this handbook.
The BISC will issue you an official Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) which you will be
required to submit in support of your visa application. You must wait to receive this confirmation
from the BISC before submitting your visa application. Please do not submit your admission letter
from Queen’s University in lieu of your CAS; if you do so, your visa application will be refused.
Here are a few very important additional notes about applying for your visa:
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The earliest you can apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student visa is 3 months before the start
date of the course.
As of April 2015, the cost of the Tier 4 (General) Student Visa is £322 (approximately $590
CAD).
It may take several weeks (perhaps longer) for your visa to be issued, so it is strongly
recommended that you begin the application process at least three months in advance
of your expected arrival date in the UK.
You will be required to submit biometric data in the form of digital finger scans and a
digital photograph. You will be required to enrol your biometric in-person at your nearest
Visa Application Centre (VAC) before your application can be processed. Canadian
students, please note that the only Canadian VACs are located in Edmonton, Ottawa,
Toronto and Vancouver (mobile clinics are located in Halifax and St. John’s, but
availability of appointments at these locations is extremely limited).
You may be required to show UK Visas and Immigration that you have enough money to
pay your course fees and living costs. The preferred forms of documentation are outlined
on the UK Visas and Immigration website.
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You will be required to submit your passport with your visa application. If you are
planning any travel in the months leading up to your studies at the Castle, please take
this into consideration as you will be without your passport for a period of 1-2 weeks
(perhaps longer) while your visa application is being processed.
NEW PROCEDURE
Successful applicants will no longer be issued a visa in their passport, but will be issued
with a vignette in their passport which is valid for 30 days from the date you indicated as
your intended travel date in your visa application. The vignette is proof only of your
permission to enter the UK and will allow you to travel to the UK. If you do not travel to
the UK within this 30 day period, your visa will expire and you will need to apply for
another 30 day visa. You will have to pay a fee for this.
Your full leave conditions are contained on your biometric residence permit which you
must collect within 10 days of arrival in the UK. When you attend the Post Office branch
to collect your biometric residence permit you must bring with you the passport or
travel document which contains your 30 day visa. You should also bring your decision
letter with you.
The BISC will make arrangements to enable you to collect your BRP within the specified
timeframe.
UK legislation requires students to register the details of the BRP with the BISC.
The BISC suggests that students read these guidance notes:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/41827
1/v_9_overseas_BRP_leaflet.pdf.
Websites with helpful information about applying for your UK visa:
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UK Visas and Immigration
WorldBridge Service
The British High Commission in Canada
The British Embassy in the United States
Overseas Visa Application Centres
In the unfortunate event the passport bearing your visa is lost or stolen, having your visa reissued
will be much easier if you:
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Retain a copy of your original online application and supporting documents, along with
the subsequent email confirmation from the British High Commission indicating that your
visa is being issued and mailed.
Retain a photocopy of the passport page with the visa on it.
Visa Conditions
It is a condition of your Tier 4 leave that you study full-time at the Tier 4 sponsor institution that
issued your CAS, and whose Tier 4 sponsor license number is therefore printed on your vignette or
BRP (Biometric Residence Permit).
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You must attend all classes. UK Visas and Immigration requires the BISC to report any student
missing 10 or more consecutive learning contacts. Examples of expected contacts include:
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attending formal academic or pastoral care activities including:
o a lesson, lecture, tutorial or seminar;
o a test, examination or assessment board;
o a meeting with a supervisor or personal tutor;
o a research-method or research-panel meeting;
o an oral examination;
o an appointment with a welfare adviser or international student adviser;
submitting;
o assessed or unassessed coursework; or
o an interim dissertation, coursework or report; and
o registration (for enrolment or matriculation).
Visa refusals
The visa process is an application - and sometimes applications can be refused.
If you use a BISC CAS and your visa application is refused, you must let us know so that we can
give you further advice on what to do. Please email [email protected].
Visa refusal outside of the UK
If your visa is refused outside of the UK, you will be sent a standard notification that your
application has been refused. The notification will detail why the visa officer has not granted
your visa. It will also detail if and how you can submit an administrative review - a process by
which the original application can be reconsidered.
For information and advice on what to do if your visa is refused, please send an email, briefly
summarising the details of the application you made and attaching a scan of the refusal notice
to the email to: [email protected].
Visa refusal from within UK
If your visa has been refused from an application made in the UK, you will be sent a decision
letter with your application. You should carefully read the notice of decision because it will
explain why your visa has been refused and whether you have the right of appeal.
There is a deadline for appeal and it is important that you seek advice immediately you know
that you have been refused. Contact us at [email protected].
Schengen Visas
If you are travelling on a passport issued by a country other than Canada, the United States, or
an EU member country you may require a Schengen Visa to participate in field studies to some
countries in Continental Europe.
Please contact the BISC Administration Office if you are unsure (Tel: +44 1323 834444; E-mail:
[email protected]). Depending on your semester of study you may wish to apply
for this visa before arrival in the UK.
***All Students Please Note: If you plan to travel before or after your studies at the Castle it
is your responsibility to ensure that your UK visa (or your status as a student visitor) remains valid.
It is also your responsibility to determine if you require travel documents for any other countries
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through which you are travelling (transit visas) or planning to visit. Contact the embassy, or
consulate, of any country through which you may be travelling, or planning to visit, and ask
them about their country’s visa requirements.
Residence, Health
Additional Documentation
1. Letter of Attendance
After you have paid your fees, and shortly before your departure to the United Kingdom, you will
receive a Letter of Attendance (LOA) issued by the BISC. This letter is mailed to you, so please be
sure that your mailing address is up to date in SOLUS. Be sure to bring your LOA with you. It is
your proof of purpose in Britain, certifying your attendance at the BISC, and you should be
prepared to present it at customs when you arrive in England. You should keep your LOA tucked
inside your passport and have these items on your person at all times when travelling.
2. Money
You must have proof of financial responsibility when you enter the UK. Ensure that you are
carrying at least £30 in cash when you arrive. You should also have a credit card, and/or a
bank debit card and/or traveller’s cheques, with you when you arrive.
3. Power of Attorney
Will your OSAP or other loan or tax forms become due while you are overseas? Will you need
someone to keep up to date with your banking? If so, it is very important that you arrange for a
Power of Attorney before you leave. This gives your representative the authority to sign forms on
your behalf. If you don’t think this is important, please reconsider! Many students and parents
have commented on how useful this step was. If your signature will be needed for any official or
legal document while you are away, you should make arrangements for a Power of Attorney.
This gives a responsible person (your parents/guardian or emergency contact are usually the
best option) authority to act on your behalf.
Please remember that Queen’s University is unable to discuss academic or financial matters with
any person acting on your behalf unless you have provided their full name in the “release of
information” section on SOLUS.
4. Income Taxes
If you are out of the country during tax season and you have earnings from the previous year
which you are required to declare for income tax purposes, you should contact the Embassy,
High Commission, or Consulate in your host country for information on your tax obligations.
Canadian students, please note that a brochure on taxation while abroad is available for
reference. Also, please note that Tuition, Education and Textbook Amount Certificates -- T2202As
can be printed directly from SOLUS and will not be mailed. You will be notified via email when
T2202As are available for download.
5. Dual Citizenship
Dual citizenship means that you are considered a citizen of more than one country. Find out
whether you, or any family members, are citizens of another country before you leave. Some
countries may claim you as a citizen if you were born there, if one of your parents is a citizen, or if
you are considered a citizen under that country’s laws.
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There are privileges to having dual citizenship, such as being able to work or study in some
countries without having to get a visa; however, there may also be unpleasant surprises. If you
are considered a national you may be compelled to do military service or pay special taxes.
You should also note that you may be allowed entrance into a country under one passport but
not the other, or may be required to obtain a visa for entrance under one passport but not the
other. If you do run into problems because of your dual citizenship, contact the Embassy, High
Commission, or Consulate in your host country immediately.
6. Student Cards
You should purchase an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) before you leave home. The
ISIC entitles students to discounts on such things as travel and admission to various attractions,
galleries, museums, and parks. Please visit the ISIC website to find out where you can buy your
ISIC card. When you apply for your ISIC you will be required to submit a passport size colour
photograph.
You may also purchase an ISIC through Merit-Odyssey Travel (Tel.: +1 (613) 549-3553), a Kingtonbases travel provider. If you decide to book your flights through Merit-Odyssey Travel they will
send you further information about the ISIC.
The ISIC is good for one calendar year (January-December); therefore, if you will be at the BISC
for a full academic year (September to April) you may need to get a new ISIC for January. New
applications are available in the fall of each year.
Health
Medical Coverage and Services Offered in the UK
Healthcare Surcharge
NEW PROCEDURE
Owing to recent changes in legislation students studying on a Tier 4 visa are required to
pay a healthcare surcharge. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigrationapplication/pay for more information. Note that you must make the payment before
you submit or send your visa or immigration application (or book an appointment at
a premium service centre).
The non-refundable healthcare surcharge must be paid by students studying at the BISC on a
Tier 4 visa. The current cost of the surcharge is £150 for students. Payment of the surcharge
enables you to access the National Health Service (NHS) in the same way as a permanent UK
resident. Payment may be required for some services such as dental treatment and eye tests.
NEW PROCEDURE
Regulation changes will mean that from April 2015, non EEA visitors who come to the UK
for less than 6 months (i.e., students in the Fall or Winter or Summer terms) who use the
NHS will be charged 150% of the cost of any medical treatment they receive.
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It is therefore recommended that this group possesses adequate travel and health
insurance to be able to reclaim any costs.
NHS Overview
The United Kingdom has a two-tiered health care system consisting of the publicly-funded
National Health Service (NHS) and the private sector.
The NHS affords free access to a general practitioner (GP) who will advise on, and prescribe for,
general ailments, and who will make referrals to specialists as necessary.
You can find out more about the NHS and the types of services and treatments it covers at
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Pages/NHSServices.aspx.
If you are studying at the BISC for more than 6 months you are eligible for enrolment in the
National Health Service, and will be shown how to complete your registration during Orientation.
Prescriptions
You can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you are 16-18 and
in full-time education; in other cases the prescription charge is typically £8.05.
If you need to access the services below then medicines are free:
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Medicines administered at a hospital or an NHS walk-in centre.
Medicines personally administered by a GP.
Medicines supplied at a hospital or Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) clinic for the
treatment of a sexually transmitted infection or tuberculosis.
Most types of contraception are available for free in the UK. Contraception is free to all women
and men through the NHS. Places where you can get contraception include:
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most GP surgeries – talk to your GP or practice nurse
community contraception clinics
some genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics
sexual health clinics – they also offer contraceptive and STI testing services
some young people's services (call the Sexual Health Line on 0300 123 7123 for more
information)
Dental Care
The NHS also covers some dental services and treatments which can be found at
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Dentalcosts.aspx and
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/985.aspx?CategoryID=74. You must be registered with the NHS to
access these services.
Eyecare
Some groups of patients are entitled to free NHS sight tests and optical vouchers to help with the
cost of glasses or contact lenses. Patients who are not eligible for NHS sight tests will pay privately
for a sight test. Typically, students under the age of 19 and in full-time education qualify for
coverage. You must be registered with the NHS to access these services. See
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Eyecarecosts.aspx for more information.
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Private Care
The private sector is accessed through a GP, but allows a patient to see a specialist quickly and
usually in a private clinic or hospital. Payment for this kind of treatment is usually requested at
regular intervals during a course of treatment or shortly thereafter.
For information regarding access to hospital and primary care, as well NHS charges and
exemptions please see Guidance on overseas visitors’ hospital charging regulations. If you do
receive medical attention overseas, get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital. Always
submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions you received while travelling.
Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.
Medical Services Offered at the Castle
Physical Health
During the fall and winter terms, the Castle offers a weekly clinic on Mondays from 12:00pm1:00pm staffed by doctors from the local Herstmonceux Integrative Health Centre. Drop-in
appointments are available, but it is preferable to book your appointment in at advance Bader
Reception. The clinic takes place in a specially fitted room in Bader Hall. Students may also book
appointments at the surgery in the village.
Mental Health
During the fall and winter terms, the BISC has a registered counsellor on-site twice a week for
students to access free of charge. Students may either self-refer or ask for a referral from Student
Services. Counselling is offered by Steve Clifford, a Senior Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist
and Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (www.stevecliffordcbt.com).
We also run stress busters during exam season, and deliver events such as mindfulness
workshops, yoga, and meditation.
Insurance
While all students can access the National Health Service (see above), it is very important to
ensure you have adequate international medical insurance to guarantee optimal health care
for yourself and to protect you from significant financial problems while abroad. Insurance is
particularly important for travel outside the UK, medical expenses in the UK and/or healthcare
costs not covered by the NHS including repatriation.
The following information should provide you with the relevant details you will need in order to
ensure that you have adequate medical coverage while at the Castle.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have adequate health insurance for the
duration of your studies at the BISC, as well as for any extra travel you will be doing
Students Normally Residing in Canada
Canadian supplementary health insurance plans typically require that you be covered by a
provincial/territorial government health plan or the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) as a
basic primary health plan. If you do not have basic coverage under one of these plans you are
normally ineligible for a supplementary health plan, even if you have been enrolled in one. It is
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your responsibility to ensure that you are covered by a provincial/territorial government health
plan or the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) and have adequate supplementary health
insurance that covers international travel.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you remain fully covered by your provincial/territorial health
insurance program or UHIP for the entire time you will be out of the country. Failure to do so may
result in loss of coverage. Please contact the Ministry of Health in your home province/territory
about your primary plan or the Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC) for UHIP support.
Please note: If your health card has an expiry date which falls during your time abroad, you
should contact your health care provider to request a new card. If your health card expires
while you are abroad, you may have difficulty receiving medical care or you may find that your
supplementary medical coverage is no longer valid.
Some Canadian Residents may be required to notify their ministry of health about absences
from the country that exceed a certain number of days. If you fail to do so you may have
trouble with health care coverage upon your return.
All Students
The level of coverage you need depends on the circumstances of your personal and/or family
health history, your intended activities, and your travel destinations. When considering
supplementary health insurance, the following plan features are critical to the quality of
coverage:
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Continuous coverage before departure and after return
Coverage renewable from abroad and for the maximum period of stay
24-hour emergency contact telephone number (with translation services for health care
providers in the host country who may not speak your language)
Medical evacuation costs covered
Hospitalization coverage for illness or accident
Coverage for doctor’s appointments and prescription medicines
Direct payment of bills abroad by health care provider
Coverage of pre-existing medical conditions
Deductible costs. These may be quoted in dollars (e.g. $100 per claim or $200 per term
of policy) or as co-insurance requiring a shared percentage of the total bill (plans with
100% coverage are more expensive but may save you considerable cost in case of
serious illness or an accident)
Repatriation of remains
Lifetime maximum for medical expenses due to accident or illness and hospitalization
Ambulance and emergency transportation
Exclusions which significantly limit coverage during your desired travel or sojourn abroad
(ensure all regions and countries of travel are covered)
Health Insurance Offered through Queen’s University
As with the purchase of any health insurance plan, we strongly recommend that you carefully
review the policy to ensure it offers an appropriate level of coverage, including adequate
international coverage, based on your own health context, planned activities and travel plans.
First-Year and Upper-Year Students
Regardless of your home institution, you are eligible for supplementary medical coverage
through the Queen’s University Alma Mater Society. Upper-year Queen’s students are
automatically enrolled in the AMS health plan, unless they opt out. First-year students must
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contact the AMS directly to enrol in their supplementary health plan. All non-Queen’s students
must contact the AMS to enrol.
Please note: The AMS insurance policy is effective September 1 to August 31 annually, and is
normally reviewed during the spring/summer period by the AMS to determine if changes to the
carrier or level of coverage will be made. For information pertaining to the AMS health plan,
including information about premiums and opting in/out, please visit the AMS website or contact
them directly at 613-533-3001 or [email protected].
Law Students
If you are a graduate or professional student currently registered at Queen’s you are eligible for
the Society for Graduate and Professional Students health plan. For additional information
pertaining to the SGPS health plan, including information about premiums and opting in/out,
please visit the their website at www.sgps.ca or contact them directly at 613-533-2924 or
[email protected].
International Students on a Student Visa Attending Queen’s University
If you are an international student registered at Queen’s University who will be attending the
Castle for a term or year, and if you will be purchasing the AMS supplementary health plan, you
must also enrol in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). These two plans, UHIP (a primary
plan) + the AMS supplementary health plan, work together to provide coverage for outside of
Canada.
International Students Attending the Castle Directly from Their Country of Citizenship and
Canadian Citizens Living Abroad
If you are an international student spending a term at the Castle from a non-Canadian
university, or if you are a Canadian citizen living abroad, you should check your medical
insurance to ensure it is adequate. If it is not, you should inquire in your country of residence
about additional international medical coverage. Both UHIP and AMS health plans (see above)
are available from Queen's upon request for the duration of your studies abroad.
For further information pertaining to UHIP, or to enrol, please contact the UHIP office at:
UHIP Office, Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC)
John Deutsch University Centre
Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L3N6
Tel: +1 (613) 533-2604
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://quic.queensu.ca/international-students-and-staff/health-insurance-andcare/uhip/
Additional information about health and medical coverage for international study/work/travel
can be found online at the Queen’s University International Centre’s (QUIC) website.
Pre-departure Preparations
Making adequate pre-departure preparations, knowing what health and safety risks are
involved where you are, and seeking sound medical advice will help you to stay healthy while
abroad.
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The best way to handle health problems is to try and avoid them in the first place. Prevention is
the easiest and safest method of maintaining health while travelling and there are a number of
things you can do to greatly decrease your chances of becoming ill.
Before departing for the UK, your first step should be to contact a health care provider to discuss
your health and upcoming sojourn abroad. We recommend that you get a full medical and
dental check-up before heading to the BISC.
You should also consult your doctor to make sure that your routine immunizations and
vaccinations are up to date. If you weren't exposed to certain diseases as a child, or weren't
immunized, you could be at an increased risk. Depending on your immunization history you may
require specific immunizations before entering the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.
You should check with your local health unit or physician for current recommendations and
requirements.
Diabetics, those carrying an EpiPen and other people who require routine, or frequent, injections
may wish to carry a supply of syringes and needles sufficient to last their stay abroad. Take a
note from your doctor explaining that you require the syringes for medical reasons. Also check
with your airline regarding any restrictions in carrying these items in your baggage.
Medication and Prescriptions
If you require regular injections or medication, be sure to check with your physician for any
recommendations concerning your welfare while abroad. Some students may find that UKequivalent drugs will be suitable for their condition; your doctor should be able to research this
for you. Other students may be on a particular regime or may, for various reasons, not wish to
change the drugs they are taking. In this case, you may wish to ask your doctor for a prescription
that will cover you for a semester at a time. If you regularly take any non-prescription
medications, you should be aware that they may not be available in the UK (e.g. Tylenol) or may
not be approved.
Consult with the British High Commission before departing for the Castle to ask about any laws or
restrictions regarding your particular prescription and non-prescription medication.
All medication should be kept in its original labelled bottle. If there is an addictive ingredient in
any of your medications, you should have a letter from your physician detailing the problem and
the generic name of the medicine.
If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, you may wish to take a copy of your prescription with
you in case you need to replace your eyewear.
If you have diabetes, allergies or any other condition that may require emergency attention,
carry identification (a tag, bracelet or card) on your person at all times, indicating the specific
nature of the problem and what should or should not be done if you are unable to
communicate this information yourself. You may also want to create an allergy card in a
number of languages to help you identify your allergy while you travel. More information about
such a card can be found at Allergy Translation.
Please ensure that you inform the Castle staff of your individual health concerns and
needs.
Women’s Health
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada publishes a booklet Her Own
Way: A Woman’s Safe-Travel Guide, which we highly recommend.
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Differently-abled Travellers
Students with disabilities can and do study all over the world. However, studying abroad can still
present additional challenges.
For example, on field studies wheelchair ramps are not always a given and accessible
washrooms can be difficult to find. Crowded sidewalks, crosswalks, and public places are not
always friendly to those who have visual, hearing, or other physical disabilities, which require
special assistance/facilities. Special learning technologies and provisions may not be available
or not as readily accessible. You may also find that attitudes and perceptions regarding
disabilities and accommodations may differ.
Mobility International is an American organization specializing in educational travel for students
with disabilities and provides a wealth of resources for you to research your specific needs. You
may want to check out these other websites as well:
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Canadian Transportation Agency
Disability Travel and Recreation Resources
Please ensure that you inform Castle staff of any special needs. This is important not only with
respect to your stay at the Castle, but also with respect to the various field studies in which you
will be taking part.
Allergies, Medical Conditions, and Accommodations
Please indicate any allergies, medical conditions, or accommodations on the Residence Form.
We do not have the capacity to accommodate ailments such as common allergies, asthma,
migraines or anxiety that is not diagnosed as a pre-existing condition. If you require special
accommodation or have concerns that are personal and unique to your situation, then please
let us know. The BISC is committed to academic equity and to ensuring that that all students
receive the support they need to fully engage in the program.
Staying Healthy
Just as at home, maintaining mental and physical wellness while overseas will keep you
energized and help prevent illness. Finding time for regular exercise and other activities you
enjoy will help you to stay healthy – mentally and physically – during your sojourn abroad.
Managing Stress
Living away from home can cause mental and emotional stress that may have physiological
consequences. Common signs of stress include: feelings of loneliness, sadness or isolation,
increased anxiety over small details, difficulty concentrating, recurring illness, withdrawal, denial,
depression, and excessive eating, drinking or smoking. All of these difficulties can have severe
health consequences. It is important to recognize these symptoms in order to handle them
effectively. Here are some helpful tips to combat the effects of stress:
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Explore your new home and learn your way around as soon as possible.
Talk or write to your parents, siblings or friends about things that are going well for you.
Arrange for a change of scenery by taking a weekend off, planning a short holiday or
visiting friends.
Get involved by learning the local customs, participating in cultural activities or
performing volunteer work.
Leave enough time for leisure activities, exercise and relaxation. Avoid getting bogged
down in endless homework.
Maintain a sense of humour.
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Remember why you’re there. Maintain a journal to help you keep a realistic check on
your expectations.
Ask for help! You may just be in need of a skilled listener such as a friend, professor or
doctor.
The challenges encountered overseas will demand high levels of physical and emotional wellbeing, and taking care of yourself is the best way to overcome those challenges.
Leaving Loved Ones Behind
Living abroad can have an impact on personal relationships. Be prepared for the changes that
may occur. Consider some coping strategies to help you handle changing relationships. Think
about potential changes in your relationships with your parents, siblings, close friends and/or
partner. How will you keep in touch with them? Close relationships take time and effort to
maintain. Though you may be busy, it is important to nourish your roots at home. This will ease
your transition to your new environment and make your return home less awkward. Besides
traditional letter writing and phone calls, you could design a personal website, start your own
blog, or stay in touch via instant messaging, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, etc. It might also be a
good idea to give your loved ones (i.e.: parents!) a lesson on how to use some of these things
before you leave.
Safety
Going abroad brings with it certain risks and responsibilities. Being an informed traveller can help
to minimize certain hazards, but cannot prevent all accidents. This handbook, the additional
online resources offered by the Queen’s University International Centre, as well as the support
you receive from the Castle staff will help to minimize the risks to your safety and well-being, and
help you make well-informed choices before, during and after your sojourn abroad. However, in
the event an emergency does occur there are certain structures in place to help you. You
should know about these before you leave and discuss them with your advisor and
parents/emergency contacts.
In the event of an emergency while you are abroad, you should know the steps to take in order
to obtain help. Please ensure that you use the resources in this handbook and on the QUIC
website to assist you in assessing the possible risks associated with your studies abroad. Be sure
that any contact information you provide to your parents or emergency contact is kept up to
date and accurate.
When you arrive at the Castle, the staff there will also provide you with instructions about what to
do in the event of an emergency.
The Emergency Support Program (ESP)
To further support you in the event of an emergency Queen’s University International Centre has
developed the Emergency Support Program (ESP). Students attending the Castle are required
to create a low-risk activity record in the Off-campus Activity Safety Policy (OCASP) on-line
planning tool, prior to departure. This record can be accessed and used by the Emergency
Support Program to assist you while abroad. Completion of this record requires you to
participate in the Queen’s pre-departure orientation (included in the on-line process noted
above) and to read and understand the information contained in this handbook. You are
asked to enrol at least 3 weeks prior to your departure for the Castle.
When completing your OCASP record, you will be given the opportunity to appoint one or two
designated emergency contacts. In the event of an emergency, Queen’s University can
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contact that person(s) on your behalf. You should be sure to inform your designated
emergency contacts about this.
To create a low-risk record in the OCASP system, you will require a Queen’s NetID. All Queen’s
students should already have a NetID (your NetID is the first part of your Queen’s email address;
if your email address is [email protected], your NetID is 1abc2). If you do not have a Queen’s
NetID, follow these steps to obtain one:
1. Read the Queen's University Computer User Code of Ethics.
2. Go to Manage my Profile
a. Under “Students” select “Activate your NetID” and follow the steps
b. You will need your Queen’s ID number, which appears on your BISC Admission Letter.
3. Record your Queen’s NetID and password in a safe place. You will never be asked by
Queen’s University and/or the BISC for your password.
4. To protect your information, close the web browser window once you have recorded your
NetID and password.
You are responsible for any actions taken with your NetID, so guard your password carefully and
change it frequently. You can change your NetID password at Manage my Profile.
Before you leave for the Castle you will receive an Emergency Contact Card from Queen’s
University. The information contained on this card can also be accessed online at Your Safety
Abroad. If you are in need of emergency support while abroad this card will allow you or
someone acting on your behalf to contact Queen’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week, collect.
The emergency contact card is valid until August 31st of the academic year in which you are
studying/working/travelling abroad. In case of an emergency, once you have sought incountry emergency attention, contact should be made with Queen’s Campus Security, through
the Emergency Contact Card. The telephone number is +1 (613) 533-6111 and, as noted above,
collect calls will be accepted. Calling the emergency number will initiate the emergency
protocol at Queen’s University, which will aim to support you in dealing with the emergency at
hand in an efficient and effective manner, and with the interests of you and your family as the
top priority.
While we do not anticipate that you will face an emergency situation, you should make yourself
aware of the following:
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The name of the contact person(s) at the BISC responsible for coordinating emergency
support.
The location and contact information of the local police and other local emergency
support services (e.g. the equivalent numbers to “911”)
The Emergency Contact Number for Queen’s University, provided on the Emergency
Contact Card (+1 (613) 533-6111).
Contact information for your travel providers (e.g. airline, bus company, etc.) as well as
information regarding changing/obtaining tickets in the host country.
Address and telephone number of the Embassy for your home country.
Direct Access Telephone Numbers for your home country can be found on Canada
Direct
Local contacts for support (friends, other Castle students)
Itinerary for departing host country (leave copies with local and family contacts)
Emergency contact information for family and friends at home
Alternative contact in the event your primary emergency cannot be reached
Insurance (review your health insurance for implications of civil unrest; purchase trip
cancellation insurance; ensure your insurance information is readily accessible; know the
relevant phone numbers for your policy; know how to access your insurance from
abroad)
Monitor the World News
Queen’s University makes every effort to monitor conditions in the regions where students are
studying/working/travelling abroad and we strongly encourage you to do the same.
Emergency Support Program participants normally are informed by Queen’s, via email, of
emergency circumstances that may directly or indirectly impact their health or safety. The
following list will assist you in keeping abreast of what is happening in your host country.
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Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
CBC News
CNN News
BBC News
Register with the Embassy
You are strongly encouraged to register with your home country’s embassy in the UK.
Canadians can register online at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Canada.
If you are in a situation that declines to the point your welfare is threatened, you should:
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Contact the local authorities for assistance
Speak with the contact person at the Castle
Contact your local embassy for assistance
Contact Queen’s Security using the number on their Emergency Contact Card to report
on the situation and to initiate the Emergency Protocol
If the situation warrants, contact your insurance company (emergency medical, travel
arrangements, etc.)
Other Tips
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You are strongly encouraged to contact your family (or emergency contact) as soon as
possible after arriving in the UK to confirm your safe arrival and to leave a contact
address and telephone number
Unless specific situations dictate otherwise, you should designate a family member as
your emergency contact
You should establish pre-determined dates and times to check in with your family (or
emergency contact) throughout your time abroad
You should ensure that your family (or emergency contact) has accurate and up-todate local contact information at all times
After arriving in the UK you should make at least one local and one international call to
familiarize yourself with the local phone system. When travelling outside the UK, you
should do a bit of research before leaving the Castle to ensure you are comfortable
using the phones in whatever countries you will be visiting.
Culture Shock
What do I need to do before I leave for the Castle?
Your stay at the Castle will be a busy time of learning new things about the world and the
people around you. Before you leave home, you may want to think about making a special
23
effort to spend time with friends and family. It will be more challenging to stay in touch while you
are studying abroad. It is important to take the time you have now to remind yourself and those
close to you of the value of your relationships.
Make sure that you gather contact information for friends and family, and make sure they know
how to reach you. You will be assigned an e-mail address at the Castle when you arrive.
Preparing for the Challenge
If you have any concerns or reasons to worry that you will face challenges with which you may
need help during your time at the Castle, please do not hesitate to discuss these with a Castle
representative before departure. The Executive Director, Student Services Manager, and staff at
your home institution, Queen’s and the Castle can do more to help if they have advance notice
that you may require special assistance. Whether you are uncertain if you can manage being
away for an extended period of time, have particular health concerns, or any other specific
worries, we are here to help make your time at the Castle as comfortable and as rewarding as
possible. Your information and concerns will be kept strictly confidential.
Although the UK may seem familiar, it is important to remember that it is a different country with
a sometimes surprisingly different culture. Although you may speak English, vocabulary and
pronunciation are different than the English you may use at home. Remember that you will also
be taking at least one trip to the Continent, where you may not speak the native languages.
Holidays, customs, and foods can be different. While at the Castle you will also find that you will
be studying, interacting and living with students from other countries and cultures. Many people
find these differences interesting and exciting. It is a major part of the reason why they want to
travel and study abroad. But these differences can also be challenging. Take the time now to
learn about the differences you can expect to encounter and to reflect on how you will react
and cope with new and interesting situations.
Ambassadorial Role
While studying at the Castle and travelling through Europe, you will interact with people from a
variety of backgrounds. It is essential to remember that you are a guest in another country, and
a cultural ambassador representing your home, your school, and your country. Positive
experiences and happy memories are cultivated by mutual tolerance, understanding, and
respect.
A good ambassador has clearly identified goals and expectations:


What do you wish to achieve during your time at the BISC?
What are your expectations?
There are three key elements to becoming a good ambassador:
1. Knowing the country that you represent.
2. Knowing about the history, culture and politics of the country you are visiting.
3. Having the skills and personal qualities to make the cultural transition and adjustment
required to perform well within your host culture.
If you are interested in becoming more involved with the local community, you will need to
demonstrate some initiative and invest some effort in meeting and getting to know local people.
The Student Services Team at the BISC can help facilitate this through the volunteering program.
Cultural Adaptation
How big can these differences be? How challenging can it be to adapt?
24
Living in a different culture is an experience we often welcome with excitement and enthusiasm.
However, many of us are often unprepared for the extent of the cultural dissimilarity we
encounter (even in England!), and how much this dissimilarity can affect us. Accept the fact
that you will be challenged in adapting to a new culture, even if only in subtle ways that may
seem insignificant now. Culture shock is a very real phenomenon and all travellers entering a
foreign culture are affected by it in some way.
Culture shock has two distinct features:
1. It does not result from a specific event or series of events. It comes instead from the
experience of encountering ways of doing, organizing, perceiving or valuing things
which are different from yours and which threaten your basic, unconscious belief that
your encultured customs, assumptions, values and behaviours are right.
2. It does not strike suddenly or have a single principal cause. Instead, it is
cumulative. It builds up slowly, from a series of small events that are difficult to identify.
(Kohls 1996, p. 89)
Some experiences you may have while adjusting to a new culture include: homesickness,
boredom, withdrawal, sadness, irregular sleep and eating habits, irritability, loss of ability to work
effectively, stereotyping of host nationals, or physical and psychosomatic ailments.
Be assured that however stressful, culture shock is a normal part of cultural transition and it will
pass.
Coping with Culture Shock

Take care of yourself. Eat well, sleep, and exercise regularly to stay fit and healthy. Allow
yourself time to appreciate your new setting at your own pace.

Travel after your course ends, and at weekends.

Stay in touch with family and friends. Homesickness is tough, so don’t cut yourself off from
your strongest support group. By telling them of your experiences you can work through
them.
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Keep a journal. You can look back through this periodically to reflect on your thoughts
and feelings. See how your views have changed.

Indulge in memories of home. While immersing yourself in a new culture is a fabulous
experience, cutting yourself off completely from your own can have a negative effect.
Don’t feel bad about indulging in hobbies, food, or any other activities that may lift your
spirits when feeling homesick.

Be open-minded. At some point you will likely idealize certain aspects of your home life.
Try not to make those sorts of judgments. Try to maintain a relativist perspective and
focus on understanding the way of life in Cost Rica. You will appreciate it more if you
maintain an open mind.

Talk to someone. If you are experiencing difficulties, talk to other students, Student
Services, or instructor.

Be prepared. Learning about the country before hand to familiarize yourself with the
place and to get an idea of what to expect.

Don’t panic. Culture shock is a natural part of the traveling process.
25
Travel Arrangements
Arrivals
Airport transfers are offered on set days only and are not guaranteed at other times. In order to
reserve a seat on the transfer coach from the airport you should ensure that you arrive at the
airport on the official arrival day.
There will be a number of transfers from Heathrow Airport (times to be confirmed), which will
coincide with the arrival of certain flights from Canada:
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Air Canada Flight AC 856
– Toronto to London Heathrow, Terminal 2
– Toronto to London Heathrow, Terminal 2
– Montreal to London Heathrow, Terminal 2
– Ottawa to London Heathrow, Terminal 2
Students may make their own arrangements or use Merit Travel - Kingston.
All students who travel on one of these flights or arrive at the same time, or before the last flight
arrives, will be provided with a transfer to the BISC, provided flight information is received at least
30 days prior to the arrival day. Students who submit information after this deadline will not be
guaranteed a transfer.
Flight details must be submitted to Student Services via the online form as soon as
possible and at least 30 days prior to the published arrival date. You will be informed via
email when the online form is open.
You will be informed of the meeting point. Normally, this will be the Arrivals lounge at Heathrow
Terminal 2, but not always. If you are hoping to reserve a seat on the coach and are arriving at a
different terminal, you must ensure you leave appropriate time to make your way to the meeting
point on time. Unfortunately we are unable to wait for delayed passengers but will help you
arrange alternative transportation.
For Arrivals, Please Note
1. Castle staff can only pick up students from the designated meeting point. Students
arriving at other terminals who have made arrangements to take the coach must allow
sufficient time to transfer terminals. We recommend at least 45 minutes to do this.
2. All students must inform Student Services directly of their flight details. This includes
students making their own way to the Castle and/or students arriving late. This
information is needed for us to meet UK Visas and Immigration requirements.
3. Student Services reserves the right to amend arrivals transfers based on alterations to the
Air Canada schedule. Every attempt will be made to update students prior to departure.
Please Note: Students making their own way to the Castle can find directions toward the end of
this handbook. Castle staff may help you make the taxi bookings if required.
Early Arrivals
Bader Hall will open at 9 am on arrivals day. Arrivals dates are listed under the Sessional Dates.
Early arrivals cannot be accommodated and alternate arrangements must be made.
Information on local hotels and B&Bs can be provided.
26
Departures
There will be a number of transfers to Heathrow Airport (times to be confirmed), which will arrive
in time for the departure of major flights to Canada:
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Air Canada Flight AC 857 – London Heathrow, Terminal 2 to Toronto
Air Canada Flight AC 849 – London Heathrow, Terminal 2 to Toronto
Air Canada Flight AC 864 – London Heathrow, Terminal 2 to Montreal
Air Canada Flight AC 889 – London Heathrow, Terminal 2 to Ottawa
For Departures, Please Note:
1. All students must submit their flight details by the deadline set out in the official email from
Student Services in order to reserve a space on the coach provided. Spaces are limited and
not guaranteed and therefore you are encouraged to contact Student Services as soon as
possible so you may reserve a seat.
2. The departure terminal will be London Heathrow Terminal 2 unless otherwise specified.
Students departing from other terminals who have made arrangements to take the coach
must allow sufficient time to transfer terminals.
3. Bader Hall will close at 2 pm on the published date of departure. All students will be required
to clean and vacate their rooms by this time and should be aware of their responsibilities as
outlined in the Residence Agreement.
4. Student Services reserves the right to alter departure transfers based on departure
information received from students.
The Joy of Packing
Sometimes one of the most challenging aspects of spending time abroad is deciding what to
pack. How much should I bring? What should I bring? What will the weather be like where I am
travelling? In what sort of activities will I be participating while I am away? These are the sorts of
questions you’ll probably be asking yourself as you pack your bags for the BISC, and here are a
few things you should keep in mind:
1. You will have to carry everything that you pack. Most airlines have baggage and
weight limits, and will generally restrict you to one or two checked bags. Before you begin
packing, the first thing you should do is check with your airline to determine what their
regulations are concerning checked and carry-on limits and restrictions. If you can’t carry
something, leave it at home!
2. Pack clothes that are comfortable, warm and durable. You will be travelling almost
every weekend, and field studies trips run even if it’s raining, snowing, or blowing a gale! See
this weather history for England to get an idea of seasonal averages.
3. Avoid bringing bulky consumables. Packing copious amounts of stationery, laundry
detergent or other consumables might save you a little bit of money in the short term, but
you will save more in the long run if you use that luggage space for an extra sweater or pair
of shoes instead of having to buy such items in the UK.
4. England has a very damp climate. The climate in south-eastern England is best
described as a moderate, maritime climate. The seasonal temperatures may be higher than
you are accustomed to, but the rain and wind can actually make it feel much colder than
you would otherwise expect.
5. You will be spending long periods of time outside. As well as the short walking
commute to the Castle for class and meals everyday there are a number of outdoor activity
27
programs at the Castle, and field studies trips can also involve long walking tours and trips to
exposed areas. Please be sure that you pack suitable attire for these activities.
6. Sometimes things will get a little messy. Some activities that take place outside, such as
volunteering with the gardeners or participating in an archaeological dig on campus,
require more durable clothing. We recommend that you bring something along that you
don’t mind getting dirty.
7. You will also need to get dressed up. There are a few occasions at the Castle when
“business dress” is appropriate. For these occasions, you should pack a jacket/suit, dress
shirt/blouse, tie, dress/skirt/dress pants, and dress shoes. Please note: some of these
occasions take place a couple of days after your arrival at the BISC, you will not have
enough time to go out and buy something to wear if you didn’t bring it with you.
Here are a few items that you should be sure to pack:
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A good waterproof coat (medium weight) and boots
Comfortable walking shoes
Pair of lightweight gloves
A hat and scarf (winter mornings can be chilly!)
Light clothing for warmer temperatures
Slippers or house shoes to wear in residence
Waterproof sandals for the showers
Other Items

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Backpack
Camera
Small flashlight
Plug adapters and voltage converter (for both the UK and Europe - they’re different!
Travel guides to Britain and Europe
Personal items to make your room feel more like home (photos, yearbooks, etc.)
An umbrella!
iPod or MP3 player
Prescription medication, special brands of contact lens solution, etc. (Items that are
available at home may be restricted or extremely hard to find in England.) It is a good
idea to bring enough to last until the winter break, or the duration of your time abroad.
Battery-operated travel alarm clock (for those 8:30 am classes!) - electric clocks will not
keep accurate time because of the voltage difference
Calculator
A small supply of stationery (writing utensils, tape, ruler, etc.) if you have room. North
American paper does not fit in UK binders or printers, so you can leave it behind.
Forgot Something – No problem!
There are regular minibus services from the Castle to nearby towns such as Eastbourne, Hailsham
and occasionally Brighton.
The Eastbourne Arndale Centre and Churchill Square (Brighton’s Shopping Centre) have
everything from clothing and shoes to electronics and toiletries. Don’t forget to explore the
fantastic little shops in the other towns!
There are also regular Minibus services to ASDA (Eastbourne) an American owned, British
supermarket chain with retails food, clothing, general merchandise, toys, and financial services.
28
If you don’t have the time to go out on a shopping trip you can always order in – YES you can
get your groceries and anything else you need delivered to Bader Hall. Several supermarket
chains offer this service:
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TESCO (www.tesco.com)
ASDA (www.asda.com)
Sainsbury’s (www.sainsburys.com)
Waitrose (http://www.waitrose.com/)
Luggage
When you are organizing your luggage, you should keep in mind that airlines have baggage
limits and generally you will be restricted to one or two checked bags. Ask your airline what the
allowance is and stick to it. Extra baggage can cost a lot of money. You should also ask your
airline about limitations or restrictions on carry-on articles.
It’s also a good idea to put something on your baggage to make it easily identifiable on the
luggage carousel, such as a bright bandana or tag. Many bags look alike!
There is a storage room in the residence facility at the Castle and you may store your empty
luggage there if you wish. Please keep in mind that space on the bus picking you up at the
airport will be limited. Don’t bring more luggage than you absolutely need; problems have
arisen in the past with students bringing far too much.
If you don’t already have luggage, here are a few things to keep in mind before you rush to the
mall:
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
Lightweight, rugged nylon or cotton luggage is the most flexible, convenient, and
practical. Hard shell, hard plastic and leather luggage is heavier and more difficult to
manage.
Make sure that all of your luggage is identified with your name and address
Large backpacks (called “rucksacks” in the UK) are much better than suitcases. Trying to
travel on public transport with suitcases can be extremely difficult. The ability to run
through the London underground or an airport terminal with your belongings strapped to
your back is a very desirable feature! If you don’t already have one, a durable
backpack in the range of 55-70 litres would be a worthwhile investment
Bring a small carry-on bag that fits the budget airline restrictions (Ryan Air and Easy Jet)
for weekend trips
Before buying any luggage check the restrictions for flights and public transportation
It is possible to ship luggage to the Castle ahead of your arrival. If you will be doing so, you must
notify Castle staff ([email protected]) of your plans well in advance to ensure that
your shipment will be accepted when it arrives. Please ensure that all items are properly packed,
labelled, and have the necessary customs instructions and address/telephone numbers.
What to Leave Behind
There are a few things that you don’t have to bring with you. These articles are either provided
in residence or can be used or purchased at the Castle Shop and local shops. What not to
bring:
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Travel iron (available in residence)
Bedding and towels (provided once a week in residence) Please Note: this is the towel
that you will be using for the entire week, you may want to bring an additional towel to
switch with the one provided if you prefer
Hairdryers (hairdryers are available in the residence bathrooms)
29
Sometimes students cannot take everything with them after their time at the BISC ends, which is
why we have a drop off location donation depot in Bader Hall for things such as extra bedding,
hairdryers/curling irons, rain boots, school supplies, etc. When you arrive you will have the
opportunity to take some items you may find useful from this room and before your time at the
BISC ends you can leave things behind for the next group of students.
If you cannot find what you need in this room these items can also be purchased at ASDA or
Tesco easily.
Electronics
If you are hoping to use any of your electrical devices in the UK, you will need to come prepared
with plug adapters and perhaps a voltage adapter as well. Plugs in the UK have three prongs,
and a simple adapter fits over the end of the North American plug so it can be used in the UK.
These adapters are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased in luggage shops or electronics
stores. The Castle Shop also stocks these items. Voltage converters (for use with equipment
without a built-in converter of its own) are more expensive and may be
required for personal computers and other items. Before you leave, you
should check any electrical devices you plan to bring to see if a converter
will be required.
Please Note: The image of the plug seen here (left) is what you need for
the UK. Plugs in Continental Europe are different than in the UK. Some
adapters can accommodate both types of plugs; if yours doesn’t, you
should consider purchasing a separate adapter for travel to the Continent.
The UK uses 220 volts, however in Canada and the US the standard wall
outlet voltage is 110.
If you can’t bear to lose something, please leave it at home
Property Insurance
Some homeowner’s insurance policies contain a clause about coverage extending worldwide,
so check your policy, or that of your parents/guardians, to see if you need any additional
coverage. Normally, if an item is lost or stolen a copy of the police report filed at the time of loss
or theft will be needed before any claim will be considered. Taking preventive measures will
decrease the likelihood of theft or property loss.
30
Arrival in the UK
When you arrive at the airport, you may be required to fill out a UK landing card asking for
details such as your passport number, citizenship, purpose of travel, and length of stay. UK or EU
passengers will not be required to complete a landing card.
The immigration officer may also ask for documentation including:
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Your passport
A visa or vignette
Proof of purpose in Britain (i.e. your Letter of Attendance issued by the BISC)
Proof of financial responsibility (cash, travellers’ cheques, credit card, bank statement,
etc.)
Proof of return transportation (return air ticket/receipt/booking confirmation)
Proof of identity for any medication (pharmacy labels, prescriptions, doctor’s letter, etc.)
If you find yourself detained for any reason, ask the official to contact Bader Reception at 01323
834 400 or Castle Reception at 01323 834 444 and they can either transfer the call or take a
message and contact the Castle representatives at the airport. If you get lost, you should
proceed to the Information Desk and ask them to page the Herstmonceux Castle group.
If you have nothing to declare, proceed through the “Nothing to Declare” aisle and exit into the
main airport arrival area. Stay with the other members of your group and look for the person
holding the yellow Herstmonceux Castle placard – do not leave the airport alone!
A few things to keep in mind:
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Castle staff will be in the arrivals area, wearing BISC t-shirts or hoodies, and holding up
bright signs indicating "BISC - Herstmonceux Castle". Please check-in with Castle staff
when you clear customs.
If you think you might miss the pick-up time (because your flight is delayed, etc.) - don't
worry! If your flight is delayed or cancelled, contact the Castle as soon as possible and
we will either arrange alternative transport or provide you with directions.
If you have difficulty finding Castle staff when you arrive, ask at the information desk to
have them called over the speakers in arrivals to meet you at the meeting point in the
terminal. Alternatively call Bader Reception who can contact the in-airport staff.
To contact the Castle in case of any emergencies, you should call Bader Hall Reception.
If you are calling from a UK telephone, the number is 01323 834 400. If you are calling
from an overseas telephone (such as a foreign mobile phone), the number is 00 44 1323
834400.
Under no circumstances should you take a black taxi from the airport to the Castle – it will cost
you upwards of £160!
Directions to the BISC
1. From Heathrow Airport
Take the National Express coach connection to Gatwick airport. Tickets can be purchased at
the bus and coach information desk, located in terminals 1, 3, 4, and 5 or on the bus itself. This
bus service takes approximately 70 minutes and costs approximately £30.00. Once at Gatwick,
catch the train to Polegate. Further information about connections, timetables, and fares can
be found at National Express.
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2. From Gatwick Airport
Catch the train to Polegate directly from the train station at the airport. The journey will take
approximately 40 minutes. More information about rail connections and departure times can
be found at National Rail.
Once at Polegate Station, take a taxi from the station to the Castle. Ask the driver to take you to
Bader Hall via the East Gate of Herstmonceux Castle, located on Wartling Road. The taxi fare
from Polegate to the BISC is about £16.
3. Travel by Car
It is not recommended that you rent a car while in England. Apart from being very expensive
and the obvious difference of driving on the left, there are many other subtle, yet important,
rules of the road that you might not be aware of.
If you have family in the UK who will be bringing you to the BISC by car, the directions are as
follows:
From Heathrow Airport
Follow the signs for M25 - Gatwick Airport. Follow the M25 and turn onto the M23 towards
Gatwick Airport. Follow the M23 south towards the A23 (M23 becomes the A23). North of
Brighton, turn east on the A27 (towards Lewes). Follow the A27 toward Polegate and Bexhill.
Approximately 3 miles beyond Polegate at the Esso Roundabout follow the road to
Herstmonceux. The East Gate of Herstmonceux Castle is about 3 miles up this road, 1 mile north
of Wartling.
Alternate Route from Heathrow
Turn east and then south out of London Heathrow Airport onto the M25 motorway following the
signs for Gatwick Airport, and turn off on to the M23 towards Gatwick Airport. Take the A264 exit
to East Grinstead. At Felbridge (2 miles NW of East Grinstead) join the A22 to Eastbourne. Stay
on the A22 for approximately 20 miles until you reach the Boship Farm roundabout (Travelodge
on the left, Boship Farm Hotel on right) and take the A271 through Horsebridge. (The
roundabout is situated where the A22, A271, and A267 converge). Four miles along the A271 is
the village of Herstmonceux. Continue on the A271 for a couple of miles and after passing the
Windmill Hill Tennis Centre take the right turn to Wartling and Pevensey (also marked for
Herstmonceux Castle). The East Gate to the Castle is on the right, one mile down the road.
Note that entry to the grounds is through the East Gate only.
From Gatwick Airport
Follow either of the routes from Heathrow starting with the M23 south.
Orientation
Upon arrival at Bader Hall you will find an Orientation Schedule and a Resource Booklet. Please
read both carefully and note the times and locations of the various Orientation activities. While
not all activates are mandatory, you are encouraged to come to as many as possible.
Activities will introduce you to your surroundings, staff, and your peers – and will help you get
over your jet lag quicker!
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Getting Connected – Staying Connected
Email
The primary method of communicating with you at the BISC is through e-mail. Residence
information and updates, including important deadlines, information about field studies, and
any disciplinary notices will be sent to your official Queen’s University e-mail address.
Internet
Secure wireless connectivity is available in Bader Hall and the Castle, including the study and
common areas.
When you arrive you will be provided with log-in details – please note that these details will not
be the same as your NetID. Your room is equipped with Ethernet ports for wired access and you
are not required to log in to use the internet, although you will have to log in to use services such
as Moodle.
Wireless coverage is available across much of campus.
Telephones
1. Emergency Services
Dialling 999 in the UK is equivalent to the North American 911. If you are off campus, dial 999 in
the event of an emergency. If you are on campus and believe you or another person is in
imminent danger, please call 999 directly, and then contact Bader Reception on 4400. If it is not
an emergency, but believe you may require assistance, please dial 4400 first.
2. At the BISC
There is an old-fashioned red telephone box outside the West entrance of the Castle that takes
coins.
Payphones in Bader Hall
There are no phones in your rooms. There are three payphones in Bader Hall for local calls.
Locations
·
·
·
Next to the desk at Bader Reception
At the end of B2 in the stairwell.
D3 by the lift (elevator).
White phones in Bader Hall
These may be used to call the International Operator and to place calls using a calling card with
an 0800 or other freephone number access. Dial ‘9’ first to get an external line.
Locations
· The end of B1: extension is 4429.
· D1, near the lift: extension is 4428.
· C0 (basement), near the Games Room: extension is 4454.
· C1, opposite the C1 Computer Lab. Please reserve this phone for emergency use only as
conversations can be a distraction for those in the computer lab.
33
If you decide to buy a UK mobile (cell), the most popular mobile networks in the UK are 02, EE,
Vodafone, Orange and T-Mobile, and you will be able to buy ‘top-up vouchers’ from Bader
Reception for these. Other companies include EE and Giff Gaff (owned by 02).
3. Elsewhere in the UK
Pay phones in Britain are either coin operated (accepting £1, 50p, 20p) or operated by a phone
card. Phone cards can be purchased from Bader Reception and most small convenience
shops, newsagents or post offices. For long distance calls, phone cards are a good option.
Another option is to dial directly to the country operator. This service allows you to make a
collect call or use a calling card. It works well and offers the best long-distance rates.
When dialling locally in the Eastbourne district (01323), it is not necessary to add an area code.
If you are dialling outside the local area, you must always include the area code.
When calling a number outside Britain, it is necessary to dial 00 and then the country code. The
country code for both Canada and the United States is 1. To dial Canada direct, use 001 +
(area code) + local number.
Friends and family dialling from Canada to Britain must drop the (0) at the beginning of the BISC
number and dial (1323) for the area code: 011 + 44 + 1323 + 834400 (Bader Hall). For other
countries, consult a UK telephone directory.
Cell phones
Some students may wish to bring their cell or smart phone with them. Please note that if you do
this, you may incur heavy roaming and data charges, and so you should always check with your
cell phone company to see what fees will apply before you travel.
Some carriers will offer international roaming packages (don’t forget to cancel the plan when
you return, unless you will be doing more travelling).

Tip: Track your phone's data usage. Set your phone's data tracker to zero at the
beginning of your trip so you can keep track of how much data you are using. Especially
if you sign up for an international data plan and you're concerned about staying within a
set limit (say, 50MB per month), the tracker will quickly become your wallet's BFF as you
see those MBs slowly rise.

Tip: Turn off apps and automatic updates. This can be a big one, since that slim little
phone in your pocket may be sucking down data even when you're not using it. Turn off
automatic email updates (that way you'll be able to check email yourself using Wi-Fi
when you're at a hotspot), voicemail (to avoid getting hit with charges for incoming
phone calls even when you don't answer them!), and apps (which can continue
updating and devouring data 24/7). (Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/budgettravel/how-to-save-money-on-phon_b_3552328.html).
There are other options available:
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
Unlock your phone and get a local Pay-As-You-Go SIM card.
Purchase a cell phone in the UK. Basic handsets can cost as little as £20 unlocked.
Postal Information
There is a small post office in Crouch's General Store in Herstmonceux village.
Letters can be weighed in the BISC Administration Office and posted in the red mailbox outside
the Castle, but you will have to take your parcels to the Post Office to send them. Incoming mail
34
is distributed at Bader Hall. If you have goods sent to the Castle by courier the parcel will be
delivered to the Administration Office in the Castle where you may collect it. You are
responsible for any duty to be paid.
Your Address at the Castle will be:
Student Name
Room Number, Bader Hall
Bader International Study Centre
Herstmonceux Castle
Hailsham, East Sussex
United Kingdom
BN27 1RN
Please Note: The BISC Administration Office will not forward mail after the end of term .
Support Services at the Castle
There are many people at the Castle who are available to help you get settled and familiarized
with your new surroundings.
Academic Support
Christian Lloyd (Academic Director)
[email protected]
Is the chief academic officer at the BISC and works to ensure a high quality academic program.
Dr. Anna Taylor (Deputy Academic Director)
[email protected]
Has day-to-day responsibility for the academic program.
Dr. Rob Hyland (BISC 100/101 Coordinator)
[email protected]
Administers the compulsory first-year courses BISC 100: Thinking Locally & BISC 101: Acting
Globally.
Dr. Peter Lowe and Dr. Chris Taylor (Academic Advisors)
[email protected] / [email protected].
Dr. Lowe and Dr. Taylor are your primary contacts for academic issues such as course selection,
the adding or dropping of subjects, and future programme requirements. Dr. Lowe is also the
Attendance Supervisor.
Dr. Ayah Arabi Durkawi (ESL Coordinator)
[email protected]
Runs a support program for students whose first language is not English .
Sarah Butler (BISC Librarian)
[email protected]
Oversees the BISC library collection, provides guidance on research coordinates activity with the
library at the University of Sussex, and manages the library staff.
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Ruth Cereceda (Academic Travel Manager)
[email protected]
Organizes the field studies program, including coach travel and lodging arrangements. She is
supported by the Assistant Academic Travel Manager and the Academic Travel Intern(s). The
Academic Travel team also provides advice on independent travel.
Student Services, Housing, and Operations
[email protected]
Caroline Harber (Operations Manager)
Has operational responsibility for Housing (including Housekeeping, Reception, and Security at
Bader Hall and the Castle) and commercial activities.
Tom Gallini (Student and Enrolment Services Manager)
[email protected]
Responsible for non-academic, student related aspects of the BISC. The Student and Enrolment
Services Manager is supported by 2 Assistant Managers and 3 Student Life Coordinators.
General Support
Nicola Taylor (Administration Office Manager)
[email protected]
Together with the Admin team is available to answer all manner of queries, or to point you to the
person who can best assist you.
Dave Stubbings (IT Manager)
[email protected]
Oversees IT infrastructure and online learning platforms at the BISC.
Privacy of Information
Consistent with the Student and Applicant Record Policy:
“The University is committed to taking every reasonable step to protect the
confidentiality and privacy of the information contained in the records of applicants,
students, and former students. Unless compelled to do so by law, or authorized by the
student in writing, the University does not disclose the contents of student records to any
party outside the University.”
Students: If you would like someone to act on your behalf to discuss financial or academic
matters with the University, it is very important that you provide their full name in the release of
information section on SOLUS.
Parents/Guardians: We cannot release any information to you about your student without their
indicating so on SOLUS or without their written consent. This means we cannot provide you with
grades or access to the online learning environment.
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Emergencies and Exceptional Circumstances
Personal information in the possession of BISC about a student will not be released to persons
outside the BISC or Queen’s University administration, including family members or friends,
without the written consent of the applicant, unless permitted or required by law. However, if the
student is injured or ill, or in the opinion of the BISC represents a threat to him or herself or to
others, the BISC may contact third parties (including but not limited to, government and health
officials, next of kin, or an indicated emergency contact person) to disclose personal information
to them.
Facilities at the Castle
Computing
The Castle has excellent IT facilities, with two friendly, dedicated staff members to help students
with their computing needs. If you have any questions about IT at the castle, please email Dave
Stubbings (BISC IT Manager) at [email protected].
There are three computer sites for students at the BISC: two in Bader Hall and one in the Castle.
These are available for your use 24 hours a day. All computers are linked to the BISC Network
and the Internet. A laser printer is available at each site and there is a scanner for student use.
Make sure to check your Queen’s e-mail account regularly for important updates regarding
registration, BISC events, housing, and newsletters from the Registrar’s office.
Wi-Fi & Internet Access
The campus has a high speed wireless service that is available throughout the Castle and Bader
Hall. The Wi-Fi system offers secure, encrypted wireless access.
As well as the Wi-Fi service each student bedroom in Bader Hall is equipped with two Ethernet
ports providing high speed Internet access.
Laptop Computers
If you have your own laptop computer, you should bring it providing it comes equipped with an
AC adapter that permits AC input of 240 Volts. If you intend to bring a laptop, it should be in
good working order before you leave, as repairs can be expensive in the UK. You should fill out
a customs form for your laptop (and any other expensive equipment) to ensure problem-free reimportation.
It would also be useful to bring along any documentation and original software associated with
your laptop. You might wish to purchase an international warranty should anything go wrong
with your computer while you’re in the UK. The Computer Support Team is available on site to
assist with the set-up of your laptop for use at the BISC.
Computer Leasing
If you don’t wish to take your own computer, it is possible to lease a laptop from the BISC.
Leased computers are available for one or two semesters and are fully supported by the BISC
computer support team.
Additional information about leasing options will be emailed to you after you have accepted
your offer of admission.
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Printing Facilities
Students are given 20 free printing credits per course. Additional credits may be purchased
cheaply at the Bader Reception Desk. You can print to any of the printers in the BISC labs either
from the lab computers or directly from your laptop. Students also have access to a scanner
and colour printing is available.
MyQueen’s Portal
Once you have established your Queen’s NetID, you should try logging-in to the MyQueen’s
Portal. The portal provides easy access to many online Queen’s services such as email and
SOLUS. You should add the portal to your bookmarked pages and check it frequently.
Queen’s Email
Your Queen’s email address is your NetID with the extension @queensu.ca. For example, if your
NetID is 1abc2, your Queen’s email address will be [email protected]. You want to make sure
that you are checking your Queen’s email account regularly this will be the main email account
used by faculty and staff to communicate with you while you are at the BISC and you will also
receive information and updates from main campus to this address.
SOLUS
SOLUS is an online student centre which provides access to services such as updating
biographic information, viewing your fees account, ordering transcripts, viewing your marks, and
much more. SOLUS can be accessed directly from the MyQueen’s Portal.
The BISC Library
You will find the Library to be a significant source of
information and support for your studies, and maybe for
your leisure hours too, while you are at the Castle. The
Library is housed in two impressive rooms central to the
teaching spaces within the Castle.
When you use the BISC Library you will have access to:
All of your required reading
From our print collections you will be able to borrow all of your required reading, and much
additional material that you will be encouraged to read during your courses. You will also find
light reading and films that will fill any leisure hours you have – our collection is not all about
studying. To discover what we have in our collection visit our Library catalogue at
http://bisclibrary.queensu.ac.uk:8080.
Online resources provided by Queen’s University Library (QUL)
You also have access to an extensive range of information online, the complete text of books
and journal articles, through Summon, QUL’s online search engine http://library.queensu.ca/.
You can browse Summon without a username and password, but when you wish to download
the whole text, you will need your Queen’s Net ID, which will be given to you when you
registered.
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Individualised support in the use of information both in print and online
The Library team will help you make the most of the print and online resources. The Library is
open 63 hours a week, including evenings and weekends, so you will not be far away from
support from a member of the Library team. Additionally you can use the Librarian’s office hours
to gain more detailed individualised support whenever you need it. There are also further online
and printed guides to key aspects of finding information, so you can sharpen your information
finding skills at times that suit you.
A place to study
Available 24 hours a day, with ample seating at individual study carrels, access to PCs, printing
and photocopying facilities and newspapers, the Library Reading Room is a light, airy place to
study.
A larger Library experience
The Library has links with the University of Sussex Library, from which you may borrow to
supplement the resources available to you in the BISC Library and online via QUL. Pick up a
leaflet from BISC Library to find out more information about this service.
Becoming familiar with the Library
You will learn more about the Library during orientation and you will have continual support from
the Library team in using our services and in finding the best information for your classes and
assignments. There are six members of the Library team, headed by the Librarian, Sarah Butler.
All members of the team are able to help you in any aspect of using information. We look
forward to welcoming you to the Castle.
Musicians in Residence
Who are they?
Dr. Shelley Katz and Diana Gilchrist are Canadian
musicians who have been based in Europe for over
twenty years. Diana has a regular weekly presence at the
BISC and Shelley visits during each term to give occasional
concerts, lectures, lecture-recitals, workshops or masterclasses.
Shelley is a pianist and conductor with Bachelor's and
Master's degrees from Julliard in New York. He is also a
music technologist, with a PhD from Surrey University, who
holds several patents. As a performer, his career takes him
around the world and as a researcher he is the Director of
the Surrey University Symphonova Project and is a past visiting fellow at Wolfson College,
Cambridge.
Diana is an opera singer who founded Ottawa's Opera Lyra and was its Artistic Director until
moving to Europe to pursue her singing career. Her performances take her to many capitals of
the world. She currently combines performing with her work at the BISC and PhD studies at the
University of Edinburgh.
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What do they do at the BISC?
Musical activities at the BISC are tailored each term according to the specific skills, talents and
interests of each new intake of students. Students who enjoy music are encouraged to make
themselves and their interests known to Diana as early as possible each term. Diana and Shelley
will be introduced to students at Orientation which is a good opportunity to discuss music and
musical activities before the term begins.
Facilities On-Site
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Grand piano in the Elizabethan Room: This instrument may be played by any student,
faculty or staff member when the Elizabethan Room is not otherwise in use.
Baby Grand Piano in the Music Studio: This instrument is on loan to the BISC so piano
students who wish to practice in privacy may ask Diana for permission to use it.
Digital Keyboard: Student Services has a portable digital keyboard which can be used
for Open Mic nights in the pub and other events. Students wishing to have access to the
keyboard should contact Student Services.
Guitars: Student Services has various guitars that are available on loan. Anyone
interested in borrowing one should contact Student Services.
Yamaha Digital Grand: This instrument belongs to Shelley and Diana and is housed in the
Dacre Room where it is used primarily for teaching purposes.
Steinway Concert Grand: The Steinway Concert Grand which is housed in the Ballroom is
a splendid and very expensive instrument. It is reserved for concert and professional use
and students may be able to hear professional performances on it during the year.
However, students who audition for and are chosen to perform on special music
showcases may be able to use this wonderful instrument. Any questions about the
Steinway may be addressed to Shelley or Diana.
Music Studio: This winterized porta-cabin is located in the grounds and is alarmed. In
addition to housing the Baby Grand Piano it also serves as a practice space where
students may leave their instruments. Permission to sign up for key privileges to this space
must be given by Diana. A list of students with permission to use the Music Studio will be
held at Castle Reception along with keys which can be signed out. Rules of use apply.
Contacting the Musicians in Residence
Diana and Shelley can be contacted at: [email protected] or found in: Room 204
(ext. 4487) or making music in any of the above spaces!
Residence and Meal Plan
Bader Hall is the residence for all students attending the BISC. It’s a short five-minute walk from
the Castle and was completely renovated in 1994. With over 150 bedrooms plus kitchenettes, a
lounge, common rooms, study rooms, and two computer rooms, it is very similar to a typical
North American university residence. Please ensure you have read the Residence Agreement.
Your Room
Most students live in double rooms and share bathroom facilities. Each student has his or her own
bed, desk, bedside table, cupboard, notice board, wardrobe, lamp, and chair. Storage facilities
are available for baggage and other large items. Students should also note that to enhance
their international experience, they may be paired with a roommate from another university or
country. You will notice that your room does not come with a phone – this is common in English
university residences.
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The BISC is not responsible for the loss or damage of your belongings while living at the BISC, or
on any BISC-related activities. Students are required to carry appropriate insurance coverage.
Decorating
Decorating is important to make your room feel like home. You cannot damage or alter any
part of your room by any means, including drilling holes, nailing, or painting. The displaying of
offensive images such as pornography or making it available for viewing in public spaces in
residence and on campus is not permitted.
Security
You will be given a swipe-card encoded with your room number that will open the main doors,
hallway doors, and your individual room door.
Guests and Visitors
Visitors to the BISC are welcome. All overnight visitors must register and pay for standard or ensuite accommodation at Bader Reception. Discount rates for your visitors are available (contact
Bader Hall reception for more information). If you are expecting visitors, they are welcome to eat
in the dining hall with you. Meal tickets may be purchased from either of the reception desks.
Please refer to the Guest Policy for further details.
Meal Plan
All meals at the BISC are served in the Dining Hall, which is located in the Castle. Meal times are
as follows:
Meal
Dining Hall Hours (Mon-Thurs)
Breakfast
8:00am – 9:30am (hot breakfast)
8:00am – 10:00am (continental breakfast)
Lunch
Dinner
12:00pm – 2:00pm
5:00pm – 7:00pm
On Field Study days dinner is typically served 6:00-8:00pm instead, and Sundays brunch is
8:00am-2pm.
Dietary Requirements
The castle catering team has vast experience when it comes to accommodating dietary
requirements such as vegan, gluten free or lactose intolerance and our Head chef will source
local meat, vegetables and fruit so we can ensure the highest quality produce as well as
maintaining a balanced diet. When it comes to your diet needs our Front of House team is
always on hand to assist. If you have any dietary needs please identify them on your residence
form and inform a member of Student Services upon your arrival at the BISC.
Rules and Regulations
Students studying at the BISC must sign the Residence Agreement, and are bound by the BISC
Code of Behaviour and the BISC General Rules and Regulations, as well as any applicable
policies. Please ensure you have read the Residence Agreement before signing. By signing the
Residence Agreement you agree to comply with the BISC General Rules and Regulations.
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Please be aware that although the BISC is part of Queen’s University, Canada, students will be
subject to UK law. In some instances penalties may be different to those in your home country.
The use of alcohol is regulated at the BISC and drug possession and/or use is prohibited.
Violations of the BISC General Rules and Regulations may result in a student being required to
withdraw from the program and/or Queen’s University.
Bullying
Bullying is a form of aggression where there is a power imbalance; the person doing the bullying
has power over the person being victimized. The different types of bullying are:
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Physical: Using physical force or aggression against another person (e.g., hitting).
Social/Relational: Exclusion, spreading rumours or ignoring an individual.
Verbal: Using words to verbally attack someone (e.g., name-calling).
Cyberbullying: Using electronic media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to threaten,
embarrass someone, or damage their reputation.
Bullying is not tolerated at the BISC and is a violation of the BISC Student Code and the General
Rules and Regulations. Every student at the BISC has the right to a safe, secure and peaceful
living environment.
Harassment
The BISC believes in the necessity of providing safeguards for its members against harassment
and discrimination. This includes harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry,
place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, gender identification, sexual
orientation, age, marital status, family status and handicap (disability). Such harassment and
discrimination has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's or a
group's work or academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive
working, living or academic environment. Individuals or groups who are not the direct target of
the conduct in question may also suffer harassment and discrimination as a result of being
present when such conduct takes place.
Harassment is repeated, unwanted comments or conduct (e.g., oral, written, virtual or physical)
by a person (or persons) against another. Harassment includes behaviours that are known or
ought to be known to be unwelcome (e.g., make a person feel threatened, afraid or
intimidated). In some cases, one incident can be serious enough to be deemed as harassment.
What is CONSENT?
Consent is enthusiastically, willingly and knowingly, through words and actions, agreeing to
sexual activity. Consent must be asked for prior to, during and after sexual activity to ensure that
everyone involved feels safe and is comfortable proceeding.
Consent is not:
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Silence, hesitation or uncertainty.
Obtained through manipulation, intimidation or threatening behaviour.
Obtained when an individual is intoxicated, with alcohol or drugs, or when they are
asleep.
Continuous. Consent can be withdrawn at any time during sexual activity. Respect the
decision and the response that is made by the individual.
What is SEXUAL ASSAULT?
Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual activity imposed by a person unto another person.
Examples of sexual assault are:
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Unwanted touching, kissing, oral or anal sex/intercourse.
Pressuring, threatening or intimidating an individual to have sexual contact or sex.
Having sex or sexual contact with an individual who is unable to give consent for the
sexual activity (i.e. someone who is inebriated or unconscious).
If you or a friend has been sexually assaulted, there are resources, on and off campus that you
can access to receive help and/or report the sexual assault.
You can contact:
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Student Services (the Student and Enrolment Services Manager, the Assistant Managers,
and the Student Life Coordinators)
Campus Security, 24 hours, 7 days a week
On-Site Counsellor, at 07891 207109, Mondays and Thursdays
Sexual Assault Referral Centre, 01293 600469, Mondays to Fridays (out of hours service
available for police emergencies)
Police, at 999 (emergency), 101 non-emergency
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Life at the Castle
Field Studies & Optional Activities Overview
One of the most exciting features of your term, or year, at the Bader International Study Centre
will be the field studies in which you will participate. Field studies are central to the BISC's
programs and educational mission; they are an incredible way to learn more about your course
material, and provide wonderful opportunities to explore the UK and Europe in an educational,
yet highly enjoyable way.
Field studies fall into two categories: “program” and “course-specific”. The midterm and cultural
studies trips are the main program trips. Course-specific trips are directly related to course
objectives. It should be noted that these required academic field studies trips are separate and
distinct from the regular cultural and entertainment activities provided by the Castle.
Midterm Trips
All students participate in these trips, irrespective of course selection and program.
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Fall: a five-day midterm trip to Edinburgh and Liverpool. Students will visit sites such as
Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Parliament, and Hadrian's Wall.
Winter: a five-day midterm trip to Paris. Students will visit sites such as the Louvre, the
Musée d’Orsay, and Versailles. There may also be a chance to go on a River Seine boat
cruise.
o The main objective of the midterm trips is to introduce all students, irrespective of
their program and courses, to British and European political, economic and
cultural issues, and their links with North America and the world.
o Coaches are used for transportation for these trips.
o Students will have the opportunity to see sites relating to their courses as well as
time to explore on their own. The degree of time will vary according to the
requests of the instructors and the courses in which students are enrolled.
Summer: there is an overnight stay at a site of cultural importance and, of course, a rich
day program of other field studies. There is no longer, multi-day trip because of time
constraints.
Law: both International Business Law and Public International Law students take part in a
week-long field trip to key international institutions in Europe.
On the midterm trips and overnight field trips, travel costs, accommodation (bed and breakfast)
and entrance fees for course-related field studies are covered. All other expenses (including
lunch and dinner, and entrance fees to non-course-related sites and events) are your
responsibility.
Cultural Studies Trips
There is also at least one cultural studies trip per term that is open to all students at the Castle.
Past cultural studies trips have included:
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Day-trip to Canterbury, which includes a visit to Canterbury Cathedral
Day-trip to Bruges
Day-trip to Cambridge, including a walking tour
Day trip to London, including a boat ride on the Thames
Pre-trip talks will sometimes be arranged to ensure that all students have background on the
sites; these talks are reinforced with academic handouts put together by instructors and issued
to all on the trip. Course-related visits may also be integrated into the cultural studies trips. The
costs of transportation, packed lunches and all entrance fees for day-long cultural studies trips
are included in your tuition fees.
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Course-Specific Trips
The number of course-specific field studies varies from term to term, from course to course, and
from discipline to discipline. These are chosen based on the needs of the courses (most courses
integrate at least one field trip, but a few do not require any). The course-specific field studies
are integrated directly into course curricula and are considered off-site lectures. There are day
trips to London and other areas in southern England.
Art History classes, for example, have visited:
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The British Museum
The National Gallery
The Tate Gallery
The Courtauld Gallery
Commerce classes have visited:
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BMW Mini Factory in Oxford
The Shard in London
Lloyds Insurance
International Maritime Organization
BMW MINI Factory
Other classes have been introduced to:
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European Commission
Comedy Club in Brighton
The Victoria and Albert Museum
These trips are scheduled to take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
If you are registered in a course offering such a trip, transportation, packed lunches and all
entrance fees are included in your tuition fees. If you are not in the course, you may be able to
accompany the group depending on the availability of coach seats and tickets, and at the
discretion of the instructor. You will be responsible for any costs incurred on these trips.
All field trips are scheduled before the term begins and the academic travel calendar is given to
students during their orientation program at the start of each term. It is not possible to receive
your calendar before arriving at the BISC.
Students should not book personal travel until the BISC academic travel calendar has
been released.
Student Services Trips and Optional Student Activities
The Student Services department at the BISC occasionally organizes student activity trips. These
are recreational and optional trips to places such as:
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Stonehenge and Salisbury
Oxford
A football match
The theatre in London.
In all cases, the participants pay for the full cost of the trip.
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Trips
Destination
Cambridge Day Trip (guided tour, transportation, and packed lunch)
Windsor Castle (castle entry, transportation, and packed lunch)
West End Theatre Trip (transportation, ticket)
Stonehenge & Salisbury (guided tour, transportation, packed lunch)
Edinburgh Ghost Walk (on Fall midterm trip)
Seine Boat Cruise (First Year Winter midterm trip)
Premiership Football Match (ticket and transportation)
Wales Multi-Activity Weekend Trip (multiple activities, transportation,
accommodation, and breakfasts)
Approximate Cost
£25
£30
£50-80
£25
£6
£5
£70
£200
On-site Activities
Activity
Approximate Cost
Yoga (10 lessons)
£30
Kickboxing (10 lessons)
£30
Wine Tasting
£7
For more examples of on-site activities please refer to the Getting Involved section of the BISC
website.
Off-site Activities
Activity
Sovereign Centre (swimming & exercise classes)
Salsa class
Approximate Cost
£6
£6
There are also examples of A Day in the Life of a BISC Student and a Sample Week available for
you to refer to on the BISC website.
Please Note: Not all of these activities will run during each term.
Location and Transportation
It is important to realize that the Castle is located in a rural setting. Easy access to amenities such
as bank machines, fast food restaurants, and 24-hour stores is limited. The nearest village to the
Castle is Herstmonceux Village. The walk to Herstmonceux Village will take you about 35 minutes.
There, you’ll find amenities such as a bank machine, pharmacist, variety store, post office,
hairdresser and pub.
Hailsham and Polegate, which are the closest nearby towns, are about a 20-minute drive from
the Castle. Eastbourne (pop. 100,000), a popular coastal town, is a 20-minute drive also.
Brighton (pop. 500,000), a large urban city centre with two universities, is a 45-minute drive.
London is approximately 2 hours away.
Daily minibus service is available to nearby towns and cities and is complimentary. The minibus
schedule and sign up is located at Bader Reception. The schedule is also available online at
http://bisc/castleinfo/Pages/Minibus-Diary.aspx.
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Trains
The closest train station is Polegate Station, located approximately 9 miles to the southwest. From
Polegate you can catch trains to Brighton, Gatwick or London (Victoria Station). Battle Station,
the next closest station after Polegate, provides access to London (Charing Cross Station).
Polegate and Battle are each 15-20 minutes by taxi, and the train journey to London is 75
minutes. Same-day return fare is approximately £20 with a Young Person’s Railcard although
cheaper tickets can be purchased in advance (you will need a photo to apply for this card);
without a Railcard it will cost around £30. When you buy your ticket, for about £5 more, you can
purchase an all-day pass for travel on the London underground.
Please Note: Trains from Polegate can be cheaper if you book your ticket in advance using the
National Rail website Journey Planner tool or directly from Southern Rail. Prices vary depending
on the time of the trip and how far in advance you book your ticket.
Subway
For trips on the London Underground (a.k.a. the Tube), you may want to consider purchasing an
“Oyster” card. The Oyster card is a prepaid smartcard that saves you the hassle of purchasing a
pass each time you want to travel on the Tube. The Oyster card can also be used on trams,
buses, London Overground and some National Rail Services. Fares purchased using Oyster cards
are generally cheaper and credits can be used as needed (i.e. they do not expire). The Oyster
card also calculates automatically the cheapest fare for the journeys you make in a single day.
Taxis
Bader Reception has information on taxi companies that operate locally. When travelling late at
night, and particularly when returning from London by train, telephone the taxi company before
leaving - they will then be able to have a taxi waiting for you at the station.
You are strongly encouraged to make bookings well in advance. If you travel late at night and
don’t call ahead, the likelihood is that you may have to wait quite a while for a taxi, as few cabs
work after 23:30 in the countryside.
Sample fares from Bader:
Car
Minibus
Eastbourne
£20
£22.50
Brighton
£40
£55
Polegate station
£13
£20
ASDA
£12
£18
Gatwick
£55
£75
Heathrow
£90
£125
Please Note: A telephone booking with a taxi company is considered a contract, and if you
cancel without notice you may still be liable for the costs incurred. If your plans change, please
ensure that you inform the taxi company so as not to incur the cost of the cab.
If using an unfamiliar taxi company, check that the meter is switched on when you depart; and if
it is a long journey, ask for the estimated cost before you set off.
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Dollars and Cents, Pounds and Pence
It is advisable to put together a rough budget for the time you are going to be at the Castle.
Many of your expenses will be included in your fees (tuition, residence, most meals, field trips,
etc.) but there are other incidental costs that will add up. It is also a good idea to keep in mind
that things generally cost more in Europe than they do in North America and many other parts
of the world.
How much will I need?
Day to day costs at the Castle vary enormously from one person to the next, and from week to
week. The biggest factor affecting a weekly budget will be the number of field studies and the
amount of independent travel. For example, while the academic section of field studies trips is
included in your fees and a small packed lunch is provided, there can be large blocks of free
time. For example, you may decide to duck out of the rain and get a cup of coffee, or use the
tube to get back to the coach bus. These simple acts of grabbing a coffee and a cookie at the
café, and purchasing a tube pass in London will set you back £10.
Weeks with few field studies provide opportunities for independent travel. There are several small
Castle shuttle buses (known as minibuses in the UK) that provide access to local towns and
amenities. If you want to go out at night or travel further afield you will need to pay for a taxi as
the Castle has no public transport links and it is too far to walk anywhere other than to the village
of Herstmonceux. Taxis are expensive in England – it will cost £35-£40 for a roundtrip for 4 people
to get to Brighton, the nearest city.
A taxi to the smaller towns, such as Eastbourne or Hailsham, will cost around £20-£30 in
comparison. Many students prefer to travel to the Continent whenever possible, as a flight can
cost as little as £40-£60; however, once you factor in transportation to and from airports,
accommodation and meals, it would be difficult to fund a Continental weekend trip for less than
£150-£200.
The following list provides estimates for some of the typical costs you will encounter while in the
UK:
Item
London field studies minimum approximate
allowance per day
Return train fare to London (with a Young
Person’s Rail Card)
Young Person’s Rail Card
One-way taxi to nearest train station
(Polegate Station)
Return taxi to Brighton (for up to four
people)
Food and non-alcoholic drinks off campus
Alcoholic drinks purchased at a pub
Cinema (with valid student ID)
Haircuts
Taxi to Gatwick/Heathrow/Stanstead Airport
(for up to four people)
1 Day Zone 1 and 2 London Underground
Pass (Tube Pass)
OR Oyster Card
48
Cost (in pounds approx.)
£10
£20 (average)
£30
£16
£40
£5-£20
£2-£4
£5-£7
£6-£100
£60/£100/£125 (average)
£4.80 for a single ticket
£12 for a day pass (off-peak and anytime)
£5.00 refundable deposit, you can add as much
money as you need to travel (card does not
expire). Fares are often reduced by 50%.
1 night in a hostel dorm room (booked in
advanced)
Laundry
£12-£30
£3 to wash £1 per dry cycle (two may be
required depending on load)
Field Studies
Packed lunches are provided for 1-day field trips, and an evening meal will be kept available for
you when you return to the Castle. On overnight field trips, however, you will be responsible for
purchasing your own lunch and dinner. Typical costs per day range from £10 to £20 per meal,
unless eating fast food.
Phones
Here a few important notes on phones:



One economical way of financing phone calls is to obtain a phone card. Prepaid calling
cards can be purchased in the UK.
Another popular and affordable way to make international calls is to use Skype. Skype users
can make calls free of charge from their computer to other Skype users, or to landlines or cell
phones for a very nominal fee.
Many students decide to purchase a cell phone when they arrive in the UK. One advantage
of many cell phone plans in the UK is that they allow you to receive incoming international
calls for free. This makes cell phones a great way for your friends and family back home to
get in-touch with you.
Banking
Before you leave for the Castle you should ensure that you have adequate finances. You should
take some cash with you, and you might also choose to take some travellers cheques in pounds
sterling. These are widely accepted and are safe, but many places will administer a service
charge for cashing them.
You may also choose to access your bank account through bank machines/ATMs, known as
“cash points” in England. Look at the back of your bankcard and if it has the Cirrus or Plus logo
you shouldn’t have any difficulty using it at UK cash points. Be aware, however, that you will
normally be assessed a service charge for accessing funds this way. You should check with the
bank you use in your home country as many banks have reciprocal agreements with overseas
banks whereby you can use your debit card at certain financial institutions without incurring
hefty service charges. You should also be aware that many cash points will not accept cards
with PINs longer than four digits or beginning with zero (even if it does have a Cirrus or Plus logo).
If your PIN begins with a zero or is longer than four digits, you should change it before you leave.
It is also possible to set up a bank account with a local bank if your stay in the UK is longer than 6
months. You will need to provide your passport and proof of stay (for instance your Letter of
Attendance from the BISC) in order to open an account. When you open an account in the UK
you will receive a UK debit card which can be quite useful when traveling around the area or
spending time in London after a field study. An easy way to transfer money into that account is
to bring a money order from your bank in your home country.
If you don’t already have a credit card, you will want to make sure you have one before you
leave for the UK. Credit cards are accepted just about everywhere, are very convenient, are
quite secure if you take the proper measures, and are relatively easy to replace if lost or stolen.
Credit cards are also very handy in emergency situations if you need to book a flight or hotel
49
room on short notice. Similar to the advice above regarding your bank card, make sure that
your credit card PIN does not begin with zero and is not longer than four digits.
American Express may not be accepted in all places. You can visit the VISA website to get
addresses of ATMs around the world (www.visa.com/atmlocator/index.jsp) or
(http://www.mastercard.us/cardholder-services/atm-locator.html). MasterCard also offers an
app for you to download onto your smartphone, if you have one
(http://www.mastercard.us/mobile/atm-hunter.html).
Most ATMs will accept foreign cards. Save all your receipts and compare them with your
statement to make sure the exchange and amount withdrawn was correct. Look at the symbols
on your card and the machine to ensure compatibility before putting your cards in.
Note that four-digit numeric PINs are standard in most countries. If you have an alphabetic PIN,
translate the letters into numbers before leaving the country.
At many foreign banks it is possible to use a credit card to get cash. The amount charged to
your credit card bill is normally based on the exchange rate on the day that your bank or credit
card company processes the transaction. If you are accessing money this way, you’ll want to
be sure that you pay your credit card bill quickly as interest will be begin to accrue as soon as
the cash advance is made.
Similar to a credit card cash advance, the Castle operates a cashing facility (see below) where
you can use your credit card to access funds. The advantage of using the cashing facility is that
the transaction will be charged as a purchase and not as a cash advance; hence, interest will
not begin to accrue immediately. If you are using your credit card to access funds, the BISC
cashing facility should be your preferred method.
You should also be aware that in the UK, prices shown include sales tax (the Value Added Tax,
known as the VAT). If you purchase items of any appreciable value while in the country you can
get a form from the shop to claim the VAT back. The standard VAT is 20%, so it’s well worth the
effort in most cases, but some stores have a minimum purchase requirement before doing this;
others will deduct a service charge. Once the form is completed, it’s dropped off at the airport
and a cheque will be sent to your home address.
When you are travelling abroad with currency and credit, it’s always a good idea to take a few
precautions. You should keep a record of your credit and debit card numbers and the
telephone numbers to call in the event of loss or theft. Banks and credit card companies also
recommend that you have a copy of the travellers’ cheque numbers. You should take copies
of these items with you, but you should also leave copies at home with someone you trust. In
case of loss or theft, these details will help expedite your refund.
Cashing Facility
The Cashing Facility operates twice-weekly. You can cash up to £50 each time for a charge of
£1 and up to £100 for £2. Sterling traveller’s cheques and credit or debit cards backed by VISA
or MasterCard can be used to obtain cash on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:15pm-2:15pm.
Additional Expenses
You will incur some additional expenses during your time at the BISC. What follows is a short
guide.
Textbooks
You will be able to purchase your textbooks from the Castle Shop. Many students choose to wait
until after the first week of classes to buy textbooks in case they decide to switch courses. As
50
costs vary by textbook and course, it is difficult to give a precise breakdown of how much you
will need to budget.
Please Note: Many textbooks are held in the Castle library so purchasing all of them may not
be necessary. There are also second hand books available in the Castle shop.
Visas
If you require a Tier 4 visa for entry to the UK, you will need to factor that into your budget. The
cost of a Tier 4 visa will vary depending where you are applying. For students applying in
Canada, the current fee is about $590. Not all students require a visa; please speak to a
member of the BISC admission team or the BISC Administration Office for further information.
Airfare
You are responsible for your airfare to the UK and return – make sure you read the information
about Arrivals and Departures.
Supplementary Health Insurance
Prior to your departure you should arrange for adequate health insurance for the duration of
your stay in the UK (and for any travelling you do after your program ends). The cost of medical
insurance will vary depending on the provider and what is covered under the plan. It is
important to do your research and select a plan that suits your needs. Please ensure you read
the additional information about supplementary health insurance.
Independent Travel
Affordable airfare and extensive rail service throughout the UK and Continental Europe, and the
relative proximity of Herstmonceux Castle to so many fascinating destinations, combine to make
independent travel one of the most popular activities amongst Castle students. The cost of
independent travel will vary depending on your destination, mode of transport,
accommodation, and length of stay. You should check with the Student Services Team and the
Academic Travel Team for tips on how to save money when travelling.
Spending Money
The proper amount of spending money to budget is very difficult to gauge because it varies
tremendously from one person to the next. You know your spending habits better than anyone
else!
You may want to check out the International Student Calculator, which was created specifically
for students planning to study in the UK. The calculator helps students plan and manage their
money for their time abroad.
51
Your Pre-Departure Checklist
1. Make sure you have read this handbook, the BISC Charter, the Rules and Regulations, and
your Residence Agreement.
2. Ensure your passport is valid and will remain valid for at least six months past your expected
date of return. See
3. If required, apply for a visa permitting you to study in the UK. Canadian and US citizens
studying at the Castle for less than 180 days do not require a visa. If you are a citizen of
another country, check the visa requirements that apply to you. Visas can be acquired from
the office of the British High Commission, Embassy or Consulate in your home country. If you
will be travelling on a passport issued by a country other than Canada, the United States or
an EU member nation you should check to see if you require a Schengen visa to participate
in field studies to some countries in Continental Europe. Please contact the appropriate
office of the country under whose passport you are traveling for further information.
Although staff at Queen’s University and the Castle is pleased to help with information about
travel documents, it is your responsibility to obtain all necessary documents (see pages 1112).
4. Make sure to keep a photocopy of your passport, credit/debit cards, visa, and any other
important documentation at home in case you lose it while you are travelling.
5. Enrol in the Emergency Support Program (ESP) through Queen’s University’s International
Centre (QUIC). Completion of this program is mandatory prior to departure (see page 26).
6. Ensure you have filled in the Residence and Supplementary Health Insurance forms online
(the link to the form will be emailed to you when it is open).
7. Make travel arrangements and fill in the online form as soon as they are confirmed. The link
to the online travel information form will be emailed to you when it is open.
8. Ensure that you have adequate health insurance for the duration of your time abroad.
Queen’s University’s Alma Mater Society and Society for Graduate and Professional Students
offer supplemental health insurance, though you are not obligated to purchase it here.
Purchasing insurance is a personal choice and we recommend you compare plans in order
to make a decision that is right for you. Don’t forget you will need property insurance as well.
9. Register for courses: First-year students will receive information in June about course
registration at SOAR (July). Upper-year students are automatically registered for their
courses.
10. Create a financial plan for the year and ensure your fees are paid in full.
11. Make sure any special needs, especially those requiring accommodation, are noted on your
residence application form. Include any relevant supporting documentation and contact
student services directly ([email protected]) if you would like to discuss
your situation. If you are a new Queen’s student with a learning disability requiring academic
accommodation, you should contact Queen’s Health Counselling and Disability Services
and arrange for an appointment with the Learning Disabilities Strategist. All other students
should arrange for documentation from their home institution to be forwarded to the Student
and Enrolment Services Manager at Castle.
52
12. Arrange a Power of Attorney prior to departure.
13. Pack, start researching your travel options, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
14. Weigh your luggage before going to the airport and be aware of the weight restrictions.
Disclaimer
Although care has been taken in identifying the print and web references contained in this
document, the Bader International Study Centre (BISC) cannot guarantee the accuracy of the
information. Anyone using information from websites listed in this handbook does so at their own
risk and shall be deemed to indemnify the BISC from any and all injury or damage arising from
such use. Information in this handbook is valid for the program in 2015/16 but may change in
subsequent years. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
53
The Estate
54
Bader Hall Floor Plan
Gym
D-Wing
G: Bedrooms, D1 Kitchenette
L2: Student Rooms
L3: Student Rooms
Art Room, D3 Kitchenette
Recycling
Clothes
Drying
Lines
D-Wing
L2: Laundry,
Games Room
D2 Study
Lounges
Recycle glass, card,
paper, tin cans and
plastic here—but
please separate first!
Reception
C-Wing
LG: C0 Common Room,
Games Room
G: C1 Common Room,
Computer Lab
L2: Guest Rooms,
C2 Kitchenette
L3: Student Rooms
B-Wing
G: Student Rooms,
B1 Kitchenette
L2, L3: Student Rooms
A2 Lounge is the
only study space
in Bader
accessible by both
profs and
students
A-Wing
G, L2: A1 & A2
Common Rooms
3: Computer Lab
Key:
A-Wing
LG: Lower Ground / Level 0
G: Ground Floor / Level 1
L2: Level 2 (the floor you enter Bader on)
L3: Level 3 (one floor up from Reception)
Faculty & Guest
Bedrooms Only
Gym and Laundry sections only have one
floor—entry from ground level / level 2
55
Castle Floor Plan
Ground Floor: Library & Reading Room
First Floor: Ballroom
Top Floor: Faculty Offices, Academic Travel
Ground/First Floor:
Dacre Room
Dining Hall
Ground Floor: Gatehouse
First Floor: Drummers Room
Top Floor: Alumni (Green) Room
Ground Floor: Headless Drummer
First Floor: Film & Video Room
Top Floor: Faculty Offices
Ground Floor: Seminar Rooms
First Floor: Finance,
Conference Rm
Top Floor: Student Services
Ground Floor:
No Access
First Floor: IT /
Computer Lab
Top Floor:
Faculty Offices
Ground Floor: Elizabethan Room
Top Floor: Faculty Offices
Please note: Toilets may be on levels 1, 2 or 3
For more detailed maps, please consult your Student
Handbook.
56
Ground Floor: Seminar Rooms
First Floor: Board Room
Top Floor: No Access
Ground
Floor: Castle
Reception
First Floor:
Admin

2015-2016 Student Handbook

Transcription

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