Friday, 18 May 2007
Using computers & the internet at UEA.
If you live in residential acccommodation on campus, you can log in to the main UEA system and the internet from your room. You will need to use UEA virus software and load it on to your computer. You can get this from the IT Helpdesk in the library (they will also give you instructions) and this will enable you to use your computer in your room.
If you do not have a computer or live off campus, the computer area in the library is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can enter using your campus card (when the main library is closed). The entrance is directly behind The Street (walk down the steps between The Paper Shop & The Post Office and turn left). The door is situated in Suffolk Road on the bottom floor of the new library extension.
Cheap International Phone Cards.
Another good website is http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap-overseas-calls
The Lake District - tours & travel.
Thursday, 17 May 2007
Cheap accommodation in London.
Singles: £45 per night.
Twin/Doubles: £60 per night.
Triples: £90 per night.
Please contact Bob to make a booking or for further information.
Subject to availability. Prices are per room & include Buffet Breakfast, Service & Tax.
Website: http://www.cranleygardenshotel.com/
International Students House Address: 229 Great Portland Street, London.
Post Code: W1W 5PN (For a map, please see www.streetmap.co.uk & type in this post code in the search bar). Tel: 020 7631 8300. Website: http://www.ish.org.uk/ Closest Underground Station: Great Portland Street.
London Tips.
Secondhand cycles & cycle repairs.
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
The Chaplaincy.
The Chaplaincy is a spiritual meeting place offering rest and comfort. It is open to all staff and students at UEA, and is situated in The Square. Come in and make yourself known in this "Home from Home" facility on campus. For times of prayer, services, meditation and events, please see www.uea.ac.uk/chaplaincy
The opening hours (during semester) are Sundays around Mass times and weekdays 9.00am till 6.00pm - closed on Saturdays. The Common Room, Quiet Room and tea and coffee facilities are at the disposal of all at UEA. The UEA Chaplaincy is an Eco-Congregation. We pledge to pray and work for an environmentally sustainable and socially just world which will help to "Make Poverty History".
Every Tuesday lunchtime (during semester) the chaplains organise a Bread & Cheese lunch open to all UEA students and staff - come and meet new friends, and practise your English in a relaxed atmosphere.
The Chaplaincy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK. Please see www.uea.ac.uk/chaplaincy for more information.
IELTS Testing in Norwich.
Supermarkets - food shopping.
Sport at UEA - SportsPark.
Cinema - What's on?
To find out what’s on at the cinema, please call or see:
Odeon Cinema
01603 230414 or www.odeon.co.uk
Cinema City
01603 625145 or www.cinemacity.co.uk
VUE Cinema
08712 240240 or www.myvue.com
Hollywood Cinema
01603 621903 or www.hollywoodcinemas.net
There is a regular programme of films showing at UEA - why not buy a film pass? See http://www.ueastudent.com/ents/entsFeatures/sufilms
UEA email accounts for INTO Students.
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Rail & Coach Timetables?
Try to book rail tickets early and you may be able to save money!
N.B. The National Express bus stop is outside The Zuckerman Institute for Connective Environmental Research (ZICER) Building http://www.uea.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.113959!campusmap_April09_V9.pdf (map reference S7).
Renting houses & private accommodation?
Do I have to pay Council Tax?
Do I need to buy a Television Licence?
Why not join the Norwich Library at The Forum?
At the library you can borrow books for free, hire the latest CDs, DVDs and Playstation Games, take your children to story times, use the PCs (internet), join a reading group, access study material, research local history and access business information.
How to join.
Please get a letter from INTO Reception with your name & address on it, or a copy of any bill with your name and address on it, or a letter from your homestay family. Take this to the library and you can apply and receive your library card.
Opening Hours
Main Library
Monday - Friday 9am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Closed on Sundays
Express
Monday - Friday 9am – 9.30pm
Saturday 9am – 8.30pm
Sunday 10.30am – 4.30pm
Children's Library
Monday - Friday 9am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 10.30am – 4.30pm
Contact Us
Tel. 01603 774774
Telephone Renewals 0844 8008006
Website. www.library.norfolk.gov.uk
Travelling in Europe - Rail Passes.
http://www.interrailnet.com
http://www.simplyrail.com
http://www.raileurope.co.uk/
http://www.eurail.co.uk/
http://www.eurorailways.com/
Most of these passes can be bought on campus at The SUS Travel Shop.
You may find that you have not been here long enough (usually six months) to qualify for some of these rail passes - if this is the case, please contact Bob as there are other rail passes that you can use.
Friday, 11 May 2007
Online maps & finding post codes.
To find a post code, please see http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/postcodefinder;jsessionid=IYCVXNLNBLBDIFB2IGFENZQUHRAYWQ2K;jsessionid=IYCVXNLNBLBDIFB2IGFENZQUHRAYWQ2K?catId=400145&gear=postcode
Storing your luggage in Norwich.
Big Yellow Self Storage,
Canary Way, Riverside, Norwich, NR1 1WY.
T: 01603 666430. F: 01603 692339.
W: http://www.bigyellow.co.uk/storage/Norwich
Big Box Storage Centre,
Vulcan Road, Norwich NR6 6AQ.
Tel: 01603 424600
W: http://www.bigboxstorage.com/norwich.php
Hadley & Ottaway Ltd, Muspole St, Norwich, NR3 1DJ.
T: 01279 626 969.
Target Storage Service Ltd (They will collect from UEA),
Units 2a - 2e Wendover Road, Rackheath Industrial Estate, Norwich, NR13 6LH.
T: 01603 722 102.
Do you have important documents to send and want to check on delivery?
Ask for the Recorded Signed For™ service at your Post Office™ branch.
For more information, please see http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/jump2?catId=400028&mediaId=500201
Sending payment by post - Postal Orders.
Simply find what you're looking for, on an auction site like eBay for example, and make your purchase as normal. Then buy the correct value postal order in your local Post Office™ and send it to the vendor through the post. A Postal Order also offers an inexpensive way of giving you peace of mind when you're shopping by mail order, paying bills or sending a cash gift.
Now even easier to use, Postal Orders now look just like cheques with the payment amount printed in words and numbers. They're available in any value up to £250, so there's less need to buy more than one for a single purchase. You can have the payee name printed on the new style Postal Orders which makes them even more secure. With each Postal Order, you'll receive a separate receipt containing all the information you need should you wish to make an enquiry.
You will need to buy postal orders for any visa extension payments!
For prices and more information, please see
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=86500737&mediaId=73500709
British Culture.
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/
Local bus companies for travelling in Norwich.
If the FIRST Bus Company does not offer a service to where you live, it may be worth checking two other companies that provide bus services in Norwich - please see below: Anglian Coaches Bus Company: http://www.angliancoaches.co.uk/ Konect Bus Company: http://www.konectbus.co.uk/ FIRST Bus Company: http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/easterncounties/easterncounties/home/index.php
Thursday, 10 May 2007
Speaking on the telephone - the Phonetic Alphabet.
A = Alpha; B = Bravo; C = Charlie; D = Delta; E = Echo; F = Foxtrot; G = Golf; H = Hotel; I = India; J = Juliet; K = Kilo; L = Lima; M = Mike; N = November; O = Oscar; P = Papa; Q = Quebec; R = Romeo; S = Sierra; T = Tango; U = Uniform; V = Victor; W = Whisky; X = X Ray; Y = Yankee; Z = Zulu.
So if your name is David, you would say: “D for Delta; A for Alpha; V for Victor; I for India; D for Delta - David”. Keep this with you when you make a phone call, or better still please try to learn it!
Buying cheaper priced rail tickets - plan ahead!
Places to buy Chinese & Asian Food.
The Kin Yip Chinese Supermarket sells Chinese & Asian food and is in Ber Street, approximately 200 metres from John Lewis Department Store.
There are also two stalls selling Asian food on Norwich Market.
Cheap Shopping in Norwich.
Public transport to & from UEA.
Bus number 25 travels to the city centre via Unthank Road to St. Stephen's Street & Castle Meadow, The Rail Station, Riverside & Morrisons Supermarket from the University Of East Anglia. Bus number 25A travels to the city centre via Earlham Road to St. Stephen's Street & Castle Meadow), The Rail Station, Riverside & Morrisons Supermarket from the University Of East Anglia. Bus number X25 travels directly to city centre with no stops on route. All these buses leave from The Main University Bus Stops.
For more information, please see http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/easterncounties/easterncounties/home/index.php
Directions to INTO: INTO University of East Anglia, INTO Building (Campus Map reference C15 ), is located between The Main Car Park (Campus Map reference P1 ) & The Medical Centre (Campus Map reference C16 ) on University Drive. The INTO office number is: 01603 592977 (9am-5.30pm). The INTO emergency number for use outside office hours is: 07986 957047. Campus maps can be viewed or downloaded from http://www.ueaconferences.com/docs/Campus_Map.pdf
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
Edinburgh Weekend:- A suggested Itinerary.
Saturday Morning.
Guided bus tour of Edinburgh: This will give you an overview of the city and will highlight any areas you may wish to visit later in your stay.
Saturday Afternoon.
Edinburgh Castle: You can spend at least 2 hours exploring the Castle and the exhibitions.
Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre: This is near the entrance to the Castle and well worth a visit. They will even give you a sample at the end of the tour!
Museums & Art Galleries: Edinburgh is a very cultural city and there are many art galleries and museums that are free to enter. They are open all day up to 5.00pm on Saturday, but from 2.00pm until 5.00pm on Sunday.
Saturday Evening.
The Witchery Ghost Walk (www.witcherytours.com/) : This is a fun guided walk of Edinburgh Old Town. Please make sure that you book your ticket in advance at the Edinburgh Tourist Information Centre.
Scottish Evenings: Traditional Scottish food and traditional dancing. Please ask at the Tourist Information Centre for further information.
If you prefer to do something else, Edinburgh has many restaurants, discos and pubs aswell as a very good theatre and other arts centres. Once again, ask at the Tourist Information Centre or at your hotel for further information.
Sunday Morning:
Arthur’s Seat: After your large Scottish breakfast, take a walk to Arthur’s Seat for some spectacular views of Edinburgh. You will walk through Holyrood Park where you can also find Holyrood Palace, the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh.
Sunday Afternoon:
Last minute Shopping and please try to be on time for your train.
If you are spending slightly longer in Edinburgh, it may be worth visiting other parts of Scotland - see http://www.rabbies.com/ (Tours in Scotland).
Edinburgh is a safe city if you avoid certain areas. My advice is for you to stay together as a group at night and to take a taxi to your hotel at night. To get a taxi, you just have to put your hand out to attract the driver’s attention. He will stop if he has a small yellow light above his windscreen. I wish you a pleasant stay in Edinburgh! Please remember to take your Student I.D. Card. Bob.Try to book rail tickets early and you may be able to save money!
Social events at UEA & What's on in Norwich.
Useful information for International Students.
http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/student/index.php
Do you own a car in the UK or are you planning to buy one?
Travelling in Europe - Schengen Visas.
Travelling to INTO UEA from the rail station.
Directions to INTO: INTO University of East Anglia, INTO Building (Campus Map reference C15 ), is located between The Main Car Park (Campus Map reference P1 ) & The Medical Centre (Campus Map reference C16 ) on University Drive. The INTO office number is: 01603 592977 (9am-5.30pm). The INTO emergency number for use outside office hours is: 07986 957047. Campus maps can be viewed or downloaded from http://www.ueaconferences.com/docs/Campus_Map.pdf
Travelling to UEA from Heathrow.
Please see below for some useful websites to help you plan your journey:http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
http://www.heathrowexpress.com/
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
http://www.nationalexpress.com/
N.B. The National Express bus stop is outside The Zuckerman Institute for Connective Environmental Research (ZICER) Building http://www.ueaconferences.com/docs/Campus_Map.pdf (map reference S7).
Directions to INTO: INTO University of East Anglia, INTO Building (Campus Map reference C15 ), is located between The Main Car Park (Campus Map reference P1 ) & The Medical Centre (Campus Map reference C16 ) on University Drive. The INTO office number is: 01603 592977 (9am-5.30pm). The INTO emergency number for use outside office hours is: 07986 957047. Campus maps can be viewed or downloaded from http://www.ueaconferences.com/docs/Campus_Map.pdf
Cheap local rail travel tickets.
See http://www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com/tickets_timetables/ticket_types/rangers_and_rovers This ticket offers unlimited day travel in East Anglia, and is probably the cheapest ticket for travelling to Cambridge.
Travel Timetables.
Mobile Phones & Sim Cards.
Addresses:
The Chapelfield Shopping Mall.
Brigg Street.
The Castle Shopping Mall.
Website:
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/
Please note that you will be given a "Top Up" Card for TalkMobile World. This needs to be registered (please see Bob if you need help). This card can be used at The Union Post Office on campus, some Bank Cashpoint machines and in many shops in Norwich City Centre.
Where to buy Halal Meat in Norwich.
UK Student Travel Discount Cards.
Young Persons Coach Card: http://www.nationalexpress.com/save/index.cfm
You must be under 26 or a full time student to qualify for this card. The card costs £9.00 and will give between 20% & 30% discount for all National Express coach travel.
Young Persons Rail Card: http://www.youngpersons-railcard.co.uk/
You must be under 26 or a full time student to qualify for this card. The card costs £20.00 and will give you a 33% discount for all national railway travel.
Family Railcard: http://www.family-railcard.co.uk/
If you have your family here it may be worth buying a family railcard.
International Student Card: http://www.isiccard.com/
This is a general student identification card that may give you some discounts in cinemas/ restaurants etc. It is also useful for discounts on air travel. This card costs £7.00.
Switzerland – Travel & Tourist Information.
There is a website in English about travelling in Switzerland, which you can check as well: http://www.myswitzerland.com .
Another website shows you that you can do according your interesets, e.g. castles, mountains etc. http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ausflugsziele.ch&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=de&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools
http://www.swisspanoramas.ch/en/index.html is a useful website if you want to see different cities and do some sightseeing.
The city of Lucerne: http://www.luzern.ch/default.aspx?pageid=981
And last but not least, the most beautiful of all places ;-) St. Gallen http://www.st.gallen-bodensee.ch/en/welcome.cfm?
Good websites for rail travel: www.sbb.ch/en/
http://www.simplyrail.com/tickets/pass-swiss.asp?AFF=SIR#swisspass
Youth Hostels: http://www.youthhostel.ch/home.html?&L=1
Travelling In Norfolk.
www.tournorfolk.co.uk is a fantastic collection of photos and tourist information for Norwich and the surrounding Norfolk countryside and seaside. Take a look for some great places to visit! Please show this website to your family and friends so they can see where you are living. Other useful websites to help you plan local travel by train are www.bitternline.com & http://www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com/ There are also bus services to help you get to places you cannot reach by train www.bitternline.com/throughtickets.htm
Anglia Plus Tickets:
See http://www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com/tickets_timetables/ticket_types/rangers_and_rovers This ticket offers unlimited day travel in East Anglia, and is probably the cheapest ticket for travelling to Cambridge.