Student Handbook Scotland Programs Summer 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome to Scotland! 3 THE BASICS Arcadia Center Contact Details 4 Other Contact Information 7 Safety & Security 8 Health & Wellness 11 Culture Shock 16 Money & Finance 17 Other Useful Information 20 ACADEMICS Studying in Britain 22 Academic Contract 28 Disciplinary Codes & Procedures 30 ACTIVITIES & CULTURE Festival Season: What’s On? 35 Free Things to Do 37 Short Day Trips 41 Food 43 TRAVEL Edinburgh Local Travel 45 Stirling Local Travel 46 Glasgow Local Travel 47 - 1 - Travel Information & Advice 48 National Train & Coach Travel 49 Ferry Travel 51 Air Travel 52 Accommodation 53 - 2 - WELCOME TO SCOTLAND! On behalf of the Arcadia staff, we welcome you to the challenges and excitement of your Arcadia University program in Scotland! The coming weeks will be filled with opportunities for both academic and personal growth and we strongly encourage you to take full advantage. For many of you, your time studying overseas will be a once in a lifetime experience that will have far reaching effects on your future. Our goal is to help you make the most of it. Each Arcadia staff member has a special interest in your success and will make certain that the academic program you are about to begin will be one of the most positive elements of your overall experience in Scotland. In addition, we will help make sure that your learning experiences extend way beyond the boundaries of the classroom and are incorporated into all aspects of your Arcadia program. Toward that end, we have prepared this handbook for you. It presents information which will help you to adjust and be successful academically, culturally and socially in your new environment. To provide you with the information you need, we have drawn upon advice from our affiliates, the long experience of our staff and, most importantly, comments and suggestions from the many thousands of American students who have participated in our programs since 1965. The Arcadia staff members are ready to assist you but please remember that this is your experience and it will require time and effort on your part to enhance it to its full potential. So, read this handbook carefully and make good use of all of the resources which are available to help ensure your success. Finally, do not hesitate to call upon the Arcadia staff for help or advice at any time. You will find them not only knowledgeable and sympathetic, but an excellent source of practical assistance. Best wishes for a wonderful experience! - 3 - ARCADIA CONTACT DETAILS Arcadia University TCGS Edinburgh Center Arcadia staff members in the Edinburgh Center are responsible for the coordination of all program activities. Together with faculty and staff at our partner institutions, we provide advice and support and maintain the daily services that help promote a comfortable and enriching international experience. Hamish Thompson Director, Scotland Programs [email protected] Amy Easton Scottish Student Services Officer [email protected] John Bennett Special Programs and Housing Officer [email protected] Emily Goetsch Office Assistant [email protected] Thea Stevens Student Services Officer [email protected] - 4 - Edinburgh Center – Contact Information Address: 3rd Floor, 34 Buccleuch Place, University of Edinburgh, EH8 9JS Hours: Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm Telephone: 0131 650 4591 (from within the UK) 011 44 131 650 4591 (from the US) Fax: 0131 668 1115 (from within the UK) 011 44 131 668 1115 (from the US) Mobile (cell): 07530 239472* *Out of normal office hours, please use this number for emergency calls only. If you do not receive a reply, please leave a message and a contact number and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Edinburgh Center – Map - 5 - London Center – Contact Information The Arcadia University TCGS Edinburgh Center is your first point of contact. However, if your situation is urgent and you cannot get through to the Edinburgh staff, or if you are travelling to London and would like advice or assistance, you are also welcome to contact our London Center. Address: 16-17 Southampton Place London WC1A 2AJ Telephone: 020 7792 0211 Fax: 020 7229 3099 Mobile (cell): 0800 652 5587 London Center – Map - 6 - OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION Emergency Services To contact the emergency services in Britain (Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance, Coast Guard) dial 999. Calls to the emergency services are free and can be made from any phone. American Consulate Address: 3 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BW Tel: 0131 556 8315 Web: http://edinburgh.usconsulate.gov/ The Edinburgh Consulate provides non-emergency services by appointment only. Appointments are scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday mornings except in emergencies. The consulate can offer consular services and assistance to US citizens in Scotland, including passport replacement. If your passport is lost or stolen, you are advised to report it to the local police in the area in which it occurred. In order to replace the passport, you must appear in person at the Edinburgh Consulate (or the London Embassy). You should submit your application for a replacement passport as soon as possible after the loss or theft is discovered. American Embassy Address: 24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE Tel: 020 7499 9000 Web: www.usembassy.org.uk The American Embassy deals primarily with emergency situations, such as the loss of a passport or an airline ticket, or in the case of missing persons. However, they also offer information applicable to all American citizens travelling abroad. American Express Travel Services Address: 69 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2JG Tel: 08444 060038 Address: 66 Gordon Street, Glasgow, G1 3RS Tel: 0141 225 2905 Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.30pm; Saturday 9.00am – 4.00pm - 7 - SAFETY & SECURITY Scotland benefits from generally low crime rates, however, petty theft and pick- pocketing may occur, especially in urban areas. Always be mindful of your belongings particularly around major tourist attractions. As you attempt to adjust to your new environment, it can be very easy to let your guard down, so remember to use common sense and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Safety Tips Keep emergency numbers stored on your mobile phone and keep your Arcadia emergency and HTH insurance cards in your wallet at all times. Be sure to firmly close and lock all windows and doors when leaving your room/flat/building and never leave an outside door to a residence hall propped open. Lock your room door behind you and take your keys even if just going to use the bathroom or to a common area in the building. Never give your keys to anyone and always keep them separate from anything with your address on it. Be aware of who you let into your building – do not let yourself be cross- examined by strangers, and if you do not feel comfortable do not let them in. Report anything suspicious. Never carry your wallet or purse in your back pocket. Be sure to close handbags and carry them in front of you with the fastener on the inside. Only carry your passport with you if you are on your way out of the country or in other necessary situations. Beware of pick-pockets in large cities, particularly around tourist attractions and large crowds. Never openly count or show your money. Be cautious when using ATMs, especially late at night. When waiting to pay for something, hold money safely out of sight. Be especially careful when travelling. Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid situations that make you uncomfortable. Remember to take maps and guidebooks to avoid becoming lost in unfamiliar locations. If you are unsure of your location and feel uncomfortable, walking confidently into a shop to check your map is better than doing so on a street corner. Stay near busy, well-lit areas and wherever possible walk with a friend or in a group—especially at night. - 8 - If someone threatens you with force or violence in an attempt to rob you, give them what they want and be cooperative. It is not worth risking personal injury to save material goods. Report any incidents to the police immediately. Always cooperate with the police. In the event that your purse or wallet is lost or stolen: Cancel all credit/bank cards. Report the incident to the police. Report the loss/theft of a passport to the US embassy or consulate. Check with the Arcadia Center for a replacement student ID card and emergency loan if necessary. Public Transport Britain’s public transport systems are very safe and are used by millions of commuters daily. Nevertheless, extra care and attention should be taken when using public transport systems in major cities. Pick-pockets tend to operate on trains and buses, especially during rush hours. Keep in mind the following tips: Pay close attention to wallets and purses on very crowded trains and buses. Beware if you are jostled or if there is a sudden argument or commotion. Incidents can be staged to distract you while your possessions are stolen. If something should happen to you or you witness a crime while on public transport, contact the British Transport Police toll free on 0800 40 50 40. State Department Travel Registration For added peace of mind, we strongly recommend that you register your details at the State Department’s new Internet Based Registration System (IBRS)—see https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/. This is a free service provided by the US Government to US citizens who are travelling to, or living in, a foreign country. Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in an emergency.