Before you depart

Travel expenses

Travel will be one of your biggest expenses. The earlier you get your application accepted and your visas arranged the sooner you can book your flights and the cheaper your flights will be.

Students who are UK passport holders and who are going to the US or Canada for a year can apply for a travel award from BUNAC: www.bunac.org. The deadline is late March.

The British Universities Transatlantic Exchange Organisation (BUTEX) also offers travel scholarships to UK students studying in the US or Canada for a semester or a year: www.butex.ac.uk.

Accommodation

It is your responsibility to find accommodation for the duration of your time abroad. Most exchange partners will provide you with full information on booking university accommodation but you must ensure you follow their procedures and meet their deadline dates.

You may wish to rent private accommodation. It makes things easier if you go out early and book yourself in to a hostel or hotel while you look for private accommodation. Be sure to read the contract carefully, including the small print, and question anything you are unsure of. It is important to remember that if you pay a deposit to get a receipt.

In addition, you may wish to contact you host institution's International Office for advice and suggestions on accommodation.

What else do I need to think about?

You need to be organised. It may seem like a mountain of paperwork to complete, but getting as much of it completed now means you get to started studying and having fun when you reach your destination.

Birth certificate

It is advisable to bring an original (and a copy) of your full birth certificate with you. Do not part with the original. Some authorities require a certified translation of this document. Students going to France should ensure that they hold a certified translation of their full birth certificate.

Passport

It might seem obvious, but please check your passport is valid with an expiry date of at least 6 months beyond the end of your year/semester abroad. We recommend that you apply for a new passport in plenty of time if it's near its expiry date. As always, when travelling abroad, it is advisable to keep a copy of your passport at home with other copies of documents and take a spare copy with you - but don't keep it in the same place as your passport.

Photographs

Take plenty of passport sized photographs for use on official cards (student IDs, hostel cards etc.)

Insurance

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have adequate insurance cover. We strongly advise that travel insurance be taken out for medical expenses, personal accident, cancellation, luggage, personal effects, money and personal liability. Some of our international partners will require you to take out their own health insurance. UCF has no liability for these matters and does not arrange any of the above covers. Please note that you will be asked to sign a statement confirming that you have adequate insurance cover for your period of study abroad.

Costs for flights and travel insurance vary enormously, so shop around, be resourceful and use the internet to find the best deals

Email and data protection

It is important to check your UCF e-mail regularly. You must inform us of any change of address, you can do this via the student portal. You should also feel free to contact UCF's International Office if you encounter any problems.

The International Office will help and support you as much as possible while you are abroad, provided we are made aware of any problems. In line with the Data Protection Act (1998) no member of staff at the University College Falmouth is able to discuss details of any student with a third party (including parents). It is therefore your responsibility to contact the International Office regarding any significant change in circumstances or serious difficulty you encounter. You must inform UCF if you are happy for us to discuss any issues/problems with your parents. You may also want to consider making arrangements such as giving power of attorney to a parent/guardian, which might facilitate matters while you are away, eg dealing with finances.

Please ensure that your UCF e-mail address is active while you are abroad as this is the ONLY address we will use to contact you with updates throughout the year. This can be done using online email access: mailspace.falmouth.ac.uk. 

Mobile phones

If you are intending to take your mobile phone with you remember to check that you can make international calls. Also check the call rate as you may find it very expensive. If you do decide to take it, ensure you have adequate insurance or call barring above a certain limit should the phone be lost or stolen.

Information from other students and members of staff

Students are advised to talk to students who have already been abroad during their degree or to visiting students from the relevant university and try to pick up some useful advice. Returning students may have been asked to write a student guide for those who follow them - ask for a copy from the International Office.

Members of staff should also speak to colleagues about their experience with the relevant university and to pick up useful advice. Returning staff may have been asked to write a guide for those who follow them - ask for a copy from the International Office. 

The Erasmus Society was set up in 2001 for all students involved in exchange programmes. For details please contact the Erasmus Society: erasmussociety@guild.ex.ac.uk 

Packing and shipping

Students and staff are advised against shipping materials in advance. Most universities cannot store packages prior to your arrival or when you travel outside of term time. Remember that what you take you will have to bring back - and that also includes all those 'essential' local souvenirs you buy when you are there! Always check what your airline luggage restrictions are and stay within them unless you have the money to pay excess baggage or the heart to discard your beloved items at the airport. Also remember to check UK customs about any items purchased from abroad.

EHIC

Before going abroad to an EU country you must obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card replaced the E111 form and is available online by visiting: www.ehic-ie.org. For more detailed information see the leaflet Health Advice for Travellers which is available from any Post Office or visit the Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk.

Health

Inoculations and vaccinations:

You should ensure that your inoculations and vaccinations are up-to-date and we recommend that you are vaccinated against Meningitis C and MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella).

Prescriptions and other medicines:

If you are prescribed or take any regular medication for an ongoing health condition please ensure you have access to a regular supply for the entire period of study abroad as medications, trade names and dosage levels may vary.  Make sure that you label medication and keep it in containers that clearly show the prescription.  If you need to take a large amount of medication it is advisable to ask your doctor to provide you with a diagnosis/prescription describing the medicine.  It sounds obvious, but students who wear glasses or contact lenses should take a spare pair and plenty of contact solution if needed.

Useful websites

• www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus
• www.bunac.org
• www.butex.ac.uk
• www.dh.gov.uk
• www.ehic-ie.org

Contact us

For more information contact:

Marion Monnier
International Partnership Coordinator

International Office, University College Falmouth
Woodlane, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4RH, UK

Tel: +44 (0)1326 255792
Fax: +44 (0)1326 370725
Email: marion.monnier@falmouth.ac.uk