CAPITAL CITY WELCOME !!

We are delighted to welcome you to , England. This pre-arrival letter is intended to help you settle into your new home!. It will be 8 complemented by a full welcome on arrival. MILLION London

London is the capital of England and is the largest 5˚C metropolitan area in the European Union. It is located WINTER on the River Thames where it has existed since it’s founding by the Romans under the name Londinium over 2 millennia ago. Today, London is home to over 8 million residents from every corner of the globe.

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

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

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

Dress in is casual but chic, as It is not necessary to carry your passport with you would expect in one of the world’s fashion you while out and about in London. It’s best to capitals. Shopping is world-renowned, so you leave your passport and a photocopy safely at will see creative and edgy outfits, as well as more home. Some bars are strict on traditional, conservative dress. ID, so you’ll want to have For a night out at the pub, smart but relaxed some form of ID with you clothes are the norm. To get past the doorman when going out at night. at a club, however, This can be a driving licence dress to impress! or national ID card that proves your age.

>> Conversion Rate

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

http://www.xe.com

>> Taxis & Transport

Public transport in London is extensive, clean, and quick. Cabs are also plentiful but quite pricey and rarely necessary. The tube and bus systems will take you anywhere you need to go within London and UNDERGROUN D the surrounding suburbs. Trips on the tube start at start a t £1.70, and bus fares at £1.50. ticket: £1.60 TAXI: £2.40 Your Oyster Card provides unlimited travel on the base fee capital’s buses and will cover any underground journey in Zone 1 & 2 for approximately your first month. ordered over the phone with a reputable company If your internship is further out than Zone 2, your for safety reasons. The price is fixed by the driver your Oyster Card will cover this extension. For any and is often cheaper than the black cab rates, but be underground journeys outside of this, you will have sure to confirm what the rate will be so you’re not to top your card up before you make your trip. overcharged. Uber is also a very handy cab service The ubiquitous black cabs charge a base fee of £2.40 to use in London, more information can be found and run £3.00-£8.00 per mile based on time of day on their website - https://www.uber.com your are traveling and trac. These cabs can be hailed Check that your taxi is a licensed one before getting on the street or called in advance. All other taxis are in, especially at night. called Minicabs, and should only be >> Drinking Water England

Tap water in London is completely safe to drink. There are restrictions on all the usual prohibited items such as weapons and produce. One thing to be aware of is that pepper spray/mace while >> Money Matters common in the US is considered a concealed weapon in the UK and could carry jail time. How much money do you need?

Central London is notoriously expensive, but low- >> Arrival & Contact Information key and low-priced options can always be found. A casual lunchtime meal might range £5-10. A beer in When you arrive in the UK you will need to show a pub in central London will go for £4-6, but at a pub the immigration authorities your passport and visa. further out from the center, £3.50 may be the norm.

Most pubs do not charge an entrance fee, but dance >> Airport pickup bars in the trendy areas may ask£5-10 at the door. You will be picked up by our trusted London has many free airport pickup service upon arrival to entertainment options like London. Do not worry if your flights museums and open-air are delayed – we are in constant markets. And of course, we contact with the taxi company have planned lots of fun who will be tracking your flight activities that are already PAY so this will be taken into account. included in your program fee! ATTENTION You will be greeted with your name on a board and driven to your accommodation where a member of staff will meet you.

>> What you may not bring to

Company address Support

Busworks For any emergencies or questions, please 37-41 North Rd. contact Ariana Christoffers. London - N7 9DP [email protected] United Kingdom +447478315962

Or you can call our London office via Skype or phone Monday-Friday from 9am-6pm. Skype: internlondon Phone: +44 207 700 0022 WHAT YOU CAN FIND IN LONDON

>> Our Top 5 Tourist Attractions

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

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

3) Royal Parks of London London is home to some of the most beautiful parks in the world. Whether you are having a classic English picnic at the iconic Hyde Park, stopping off at St James Park after visiting or taking a swim at , there is a 4) Sports in London huge amount to see and do in the ‘green lungs’ Football (Soccer) is London and England’s of London. foremost sport. On a Saturday and Sunday afternoon you will normally see groups of brightly colored fans travelling around London to see their favorite teams play. But it doesn’t end there. We have the tennis arenas at Wimbledon and Queens, cricket at Lords and of course, and the 2012 Olympic Park to visit!

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

British food has an unfair reputation for rather bland on Edgware Road, there is food for everyone! If and uninspiring food, but what London does have traditional British food is what you are looking for, which no other city in the world has, is the sheer then there are a number of classic meals such as variety and diversity of cuisine. Fish and Chips or a traditional Sunday London is home to every type of Roast lunch that are available in food and cuisine imaginable pubs and restaurants across for every price range. From the capital. We occasionally delicious Indian food on arrange one of these meals Brick Lane or Chinese with the community so food at Chinatown to keep an eye out for those! Middle Eastern cuisine

>> The Landmarks

London is home to some of the most historically St Paul’s Cathedral - built after the 1666 Great relevant and important landmarks in the world. Fire of London, it is both the largest and most Make sure you take the time to check them out! significant Cathedral in England. It is known as it’s ‘whispering gallery’ because of the acoustics of Buckingham Palace – the official home of the Queen the construction. As beautiful as it is monumental. of England. It is open for tours in London and no trip to London is complete without seeing it! - A 19th century bridge located by the Castle on the East Side of The London Eye – the world’s largest observation the centre of London. Even people from London wheel. On a clear day, you can see as far as the stop and stare when the drawbridge is raised! coast of France! - home to Lord Nelson’s Column Picadilly Circus - London’s most photographed and the Lions of Trafalgar Square. It’s as close landmark. The Statue of Eros stands in the middle, to a ‘centre’ of town as possible and on any day surrounded by dazzling lights and the commotion thousands of people will pass by this cornerstone of London life. It truly is the heartbeat of London. of London. EXPECTATIONS & PREPARATION

>> London Safety in the same neighborhood and you will always be living with and nearby to other programme London is a fantastically diverse and dynamic participants. Our motto is to ‘live like a Londoner’ city that is very much a melting pot of culture and you will have a unique chance to experience and society. As in any big city, be aware of London in an authentic way. In the summer we your surroundings and valuables at all times. also offer accommodation in student Halls of Use caution on public transportation and when Residence (dorms) that offer a similar experience. walking at night, and be aware that pickpockets Every accommodation has all the necessary operate in the heavily touristed areas. amenities such as a shared kitchen (complete The emergency number for London is 999. with washing machine, fridge etc), bathroom and a shared living room. The houses are secure and there is a dedicated maintenance team who are >> Arrival Induction & Welcome Pack on hand to assist with any problems. Your accommodation will always be in highly At the airport you will be picked up by your assigned accessible locations and in a central London driver. He will be waiting for you in arrivals with location (Zone 1 or 2). Your commute to work your name on a card so please keep a look out for will always be under 1 hour and most of the time this. Upon arrival at your house, you will be met it will be far quicker than that too. London is a by a housing representative and the Experience huge metropolis and you will always be ideally Coordinator. You will then be provided with an situated to explore this fantastic city! induction of your house and local area to help you settle in. If you arrive after 7:00pm, your induction is likely to take place the next day. In the week leading >> Hospital & Emergency Services up to your programme start date you will be contacted by our Programme Coordinator and Experience The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) will Coordinator via email and sent your orientation pack provide emergency treatment for anyone in and precise details about your induction. We will pick the UK, irrespective of whether they reside up from the following airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, in the UK. The emergency phone number is Luton, Stansted & London City. We look forward to 999 where you can also access the police, meeting you soon! coastguard and fire-brigade. They are free of charge from any telephone. In cases of medical emergency, you can go to >> Housing the Accidents & Emergency department (A&E), and be seen for any medical issues. Your accommodation is in a convenient, residential area of the city. Our shared student houses are all