Pre-Departure Briefing 2013 UCLA & UofT Summer Programme

Transcription

1 Pre-Departure Briefing 2013 UCLA & UofT Summer Programme By: Ms Koh Li Ling Associate Director Undergraduate Programmes Office Faculty of Science Programme Dates UCLA 24 June to 2 August 2013 UofT Term 1 13 May to 28 June 2013 UofT Term 2 2 July to 16 Aug

2 At this stage of application You should have already selected modules to take while on the summer programme. Please obtain mapping approval before leaving for the summer programme. If you are overseas and realize that your mapped modules have not been approved by the partner university, you can obtain mapping approval again by ing the module mapping form(s) to Visa Immigration & Custom Accommodation Travel arrangements Immunizations Insurance Security Money matters When overseas Emergency contacts What to pack Disclaimer: NUS would not be responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Students are advised to seek out their own information from the relevant authorities. 2

3 Visa - UCLA Ensure that your passport has a validity of greater than six months. Apply for an F-1 Student Visa. Get the correct visa status. Take note of visa requirements in host and neighboring countries as some may require visa even for transit purpose Please refer to the U.S. embassy website: For visa-waiver countries (e.g. S pore), citizens will need to apply for ESTA prior to travel to the US, even if you are only transiting in the US. Keep your I-20 form, receipt from your SEVIS fee payment and any other documents required with you while travelling overseas Visa - UofT Ensure that your passport has a validity of greater than six months. No visa is required to study in Toronto for Singaporean students participating in an exchange programme for less than six months. For non-singaporeans, please check if you need a visa: Take note of visa requirements in neighbouring countries as some may require visa even for transit purpose. Please refer to the Canada embassy website for more information: 3

4 Immigration & Customs Liquid restrictions aboard aircrafts Liquids, Aerosols and Gels must be in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100 ml each. Liquids, Aerosols and Gels in containers larger than 100 ml will not be accepted, even if the container is partially-filled. Containers must be placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity not exceeding 1-litre. These containers must fit comfortably within the transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which must be completely closed. Only one transparent re-sealable plastic bag will be permitted per passenger. The transparent re-sealable plastic bag must be presented separately for examination at the security screening point. For more details, please visit Changi Airport s security webpage: n_security/travel_advisory_asecurity.html Immigration & Customs (Cont ) Note your airline s baggage allowance. The baggage limit is usually 20 kg. For most airlines, they will insist that your check-in luggage does not exceed 23 kg for travel to the US and Canada. Be attentive to the destination airport s Customs and Immigration regulations. Getting to UCLA/UofT Find out the route from airport to the partner university. See UCLA website for more transport See UofT website for more transport 4

5 Ensure that you have applied for accommodation throughout your stay overseas. Students are strongly advised to search for oncampus accommodation. Please bring your proof of accommodation with you. Please note that accommodation cancellations may incur a fee. Travel Arrangement Check if student fares are available for air tickets at travel agency. Find out the route from airport to the partner university. Do take note of the time you will be arriving at your destination. If it is late at night, do you have somewhere to stay? Consider travelling in groups. Take responsibility for your own or group travel itinerary. Get travel insurance in case of lost baggage or delayed flights. Approach the airport staff for assistance if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation. 5

6 Immunizations Do plan to take your vaccinations four to six weeks beforehand. You may want to consider getting the flu vaccination. Please obtain professional advice from UHC or your GP on what other vaccinations to take or prescription medication to bring. You may pack a travel health kit that includes vitamins, over-the-counter medicines, sunscreen, moisturizer and first-aid. Health Insurance - UCLA Have adequate health insurance as medical cost is high in the US. It is compulsory to purchase a health insurance policy from the UCLA Summer Sessions. Collect your health insurance ID card when you arrive in UCLA. Please go to the UCLA Medical Center for services (not the Arthur Ashe medical center). You need to co-pay a fee for treatment. More information about UCLA health insurance can be e.htm 6

7 Health Insurance - UofT The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) is a compulsory health insurance plan. More information about UHIP terms of coverage can be Security Do watch out for pickpockets in crowded places and lock your valuables when you are not in your room. Avoid staying out late at night when it is dark. Travel in groups. If you are a party-goer, guard against drugged drinks. Do not carry with you more cash or valuables than is necessary. Every country, including USA and Canada, are a potential terrorist target. Try to listen, watch or read the news everyday and be on constant vigilance at all times. Be aware of road safety and driving in the city Look out for Swimming and Surfing safety rules. National Security Hotline 911 7

8 Money Matters Budgeting You should work out a budget covering accommodation, food, transport, clothing & entertainment. Current exchange rate: Exchange rate as of 17 April 2013: USD$1 = SGD$1.23 CAD$1 = SGD$1.20 (Live rates at Credit Cards Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted for everything. Debit cards tied to Singaporean bank accounts or ATM cards with Cirrus facilities can be used if needed (serve as backup). Tipping Tipping is a general custom. YOUR Financial Responsibilities - UCLA (pls note that these are approx. costs only) Course Fee ( USD339/unit x 8units = USD2712 = SGD Accommodation (6 weeks - Sharing) USD2,000 (x1.23) = SGD2460 Personal/Living Expenses For meals, textbooks, public transit, and miscellaneous expenses (laundry, school supplies, recreation, etc.) USD200/week x 6 wks = USD1200 = SGD1476 Health Insurance (Compulsory by UCLA) USD345 = SGD Travel Insurance SGD120 Airfare ~ SGD2000 TOTAL ~ SGD Students are to make payment for the course fee & Insurance through the URSA system Kindly note that you are advised to settled your payments prior to your departure from UCLA. 8

9 YOUR Financial Responsibilities - UofT (pls note that these are approx. costs only) Accommodation (block booking) CAD1550 (x1.20) = SGD1860 Personal/Living Expenses For meals, textbooks, public transit, and miscellaneous expenses (laundry, school supplies, recreation, etc.) CAD250/week x 7 wks = CAD1750 = SGD2100 UHIP Health Insurance Plan CAD114 (2mths) = SGD$ Travel Insurance SGD120 Airfare ~ SGD2000 TOTAL ~ SGD Culture Multicultural Understanding of cultural differences, adjustment and adaptation. Etiquette Tardiness is generally not acceptable; esp. for lectures/ tutorials. If you are late, /call to explain before the event. 9

10 Living in Los Angeles/Toronto Some Pointers to take note Pay extra attention when traveling on public transport. Buses have a fixed time schedule while the rail network is quite complex. Major shops and retail outlets (including malls) close at 6pm. Safety, especially at nights, should be one of your paramount concerns, even for the gentlemen and more so for ladies. It is advisable that you move in groups, esp. in lonely areas. Wireless access to internet on campus is available. You can enquire further details at the student services centre upon arrival. Weather in Los Angeles/Toronto Los Angeles Summer June August (18 30 C) Fall September November Winter December February Spring March - May Toronto Summer Fall Winter Spring June August (20 35 C) September October November February March - May 10

11 Embassy of the Republic of Singapore, USA 609 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 200, Rolling Hills Estate Los Angeles, California United States of America Phone: (+1-310) Fax: (+1-310) Website URL: UCLA Summer Sessions & Special Programmes Ms. Barragan, Magdalena - mbarragan@international.ucla.edu - (310) Public Emergency Service For emergency assistance, call 911 and you will be connected immediately to the police or ambulance service. High Commission of Republic of Singapore, Canada 44th Floor, One First Canadian Place Toronto, Ontario M5X 1B1 Canada Phone: (+416) singemb_was@sgmfa.gov.sg Website URL: UofT International Student Office Ms. Katherine Garner - kate.garner@utoronto.ca Public Emergency Service For emergency assistance, call 911 and you will be connected immediately to the police or ambulance service. 11

12 NUS Emergency Contact Tel: (+65) NUS Faculty of Science FoS Dean s Office Tel: (+65) scisummerprog@nus.edu.sg International Relations Office Tel: (+65) PLEASE NOTE: Kindly update your contact details on the ISIS E-registration You are required to register with MFA at After you settle in, update NUS with your new mailing address and contacts through the student center in myisis. For NSmen, please notify MINDEF on your trip. 12

13 While you are there Attend the orientation. Register on the MFA website and update your contact details in ISIS. Call home so that your family members can contact you and inform them if you are going to travel. Familiarise yourself with the new surroundings. Keep yourself updated with the local news daily. Talk to people. Take note of your exam dates. Pay attention to security advisories and avoid demonstrations and civil disturbances. Keep your valuables and documents safe. Take note of the emergency contacts and the procedures to report loss of valuables. Time Difference UCLA Los Angeles, California time = (Singapore time - 15hrs) UofT Toronto, Canada time = (Singapore time - 12hrs) 13

14 Communications Public phone and local call networks Mobile phone networks Cost and dialing codes for international calls will vary depending on the service provider Another alternative is Skype phone calls Additional Useful Info UCLA student guide: mer13-issuu UofT : Arrival-Guide.htm 14

15 Reminders Check your NUS regularly. Don t miss the CORS bidding period for Semester 1. Remember your role as an ambassador of NUS and Singapore. Important Checklist Items Prepare bank draft and sufficient foreign currency Passport with at least 6 months of validity and essential identification documents Visa (to staple in the passport) Air tickets Acknowledgement of purchase or receipt of travel and/or health insurance (2 printed copies and placed in different bags in case of emergency) 2 photocopies of passport, visa, health/vaccination/medical records/prescriptions, letter of offer from partner university (to be placed in different bags in case of emergency) Laptop, camera, cell phone and charger Network cable (approx. 3 metres) Power adapter (use the correct two pin plug) Sufficient cash (keep your cash in different bags in case of emergency) Emergency contact numbers/contact numbers of people you might want to stay in touch with Toiletries/Clothes/Footwear Essential medication/travel medical/health kit Spare pair of spectacles 15

16 Seniors Sharing UofT Siew Yan Yee Tay Yu Xuan Koh Li Ping Tay Yu Heng Kiesha Prem UCLA Winnie Tiong Billy Ng Ong Zongjin Lau Pui Man Yan Ran Jolena Ang Lau Jin Yi Gladys Chia 16