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Life in the City
Some would argue that no other cosmopolitan city is as stimulating and agreeable a place to live as London. One of the most exciting things about London is the way in which past and present co-exist. London is a sophisticated city of modern architecture and cultural diversity but also a city of history and tradition, still wearing its imperial trappings. London is a city to explore and be enchanted by. You'll encounter a mosaic of cultures, accents and architectural styles much more complex than you’ll find in most American cities. Welcome and Enjoy!
Academic Environment
Centrally located near Holborn Tube Station, you'll soon find your commute to the Faraday House to be part of the hubbub of daily London life. You'll feel like a Londoner navigating your way around the busy and winding streets, grabbing lunch at one of the local pubs, picking up the daily paper, and riding public transport on your way to class. The recently acquired and renovated building is very much like a small college in the States with its own administrative staff, faculty, and classrooms. While some of your professors will be Syracuse University faculty from the main campus, by far the majority will be UK-based specialists in their various fields.
Orientation and Academic Advising
Once you have arrived in London you will be provided with a comprehensive orientation schedule. Orientation sessions will be devoted primarily to academics and housing. During orientation, you will have the opportunity to meet with your professors and receive one-on-one academic advising, if required, and to confirm your registration. Be sure to bring a copy of your Course Request Form and your college handbook to consult as references.
Living in London
The most important thing to remember as you prepare for your semester in London is that your living arrangements will differ substantially from that which you are accustomed to in the United States. Most apartments in London date back to the year 1900 or ealier, offering charm as opposed to extra space to inhabitants. You should also be mindful that London is cold and damp in the winter, and buildings are not as thoroughly heated as ours. Get used to wearing layers of clothing and remember that water heaters were not designed with American extended showers in mind. Living in one of the largest cities in the world means you'll likely have to commute some distance from home to school.
Students with Pre-Arranged Housing
The London Program has a number of flats available to students who opt for pre-arranged housing. Maximum occupancy is between 100-125 students, within several five-flat buildings in a neighborhood convenient to the London Program sites. With its possibilities for “instant friendships” amongst London Program students, combined with its central location, excellent public transport, and proximity to Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, and a wide array of shops and restaurants, it has proven a positive experience for our London Program students.
Students Finding Their Own Housing
Upon your arrival in London, as a part of your Orientation, the London Program staff will provide a thorough housing orientation, including a significant number of leads. Not only will we provide listings, but we will also have several guides available to answer your questions throughout the week and even to take you around to various neighborhoods. Moreover, we’ll have social gatherings the first couple days of the program so that you can meet potential roommates, and we’ll also have a housing desk staffed throughout the week to assist you and to connect you further with others.
Once you’ve settled on a place and agreed a price, you will be asked to sign a lease. During the orientation session, Program staff will discuss with you the legal implications of a lease. REMEMBER: Tenant obligations in England are different from the U.S. HOUSING IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY-NOT THE PROGRAM’S! CONSIDER CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU COMMIT!
Banking & Budgeting
ATM and Credit Cards
One of the best ways to get money and handle your finances overseas is with a checking account debit card linked to an international network, like CIRRUS or PLUS. Funds can be retrieved from most banks or ATMs for a small transaction fee. Be sure to check with your bank to make sure your cards can be used overseas.
Credit cards will offer you the best exchange rate, but there is usually an international transaction fee for every time you use your plastic. Call your credit card company to inform them of your travel dates. To get a cash advance with your credit card, you will need an International PIN (personal identification number). Remember, if you get a cash advance from your credit card, you will be charged interest on the transaction.
Traveler’s Checks
Traveler’s checks are still one of the easiest and safest ways to bring money abroad. Write down the serial numbers and keep that information somewhere safe. It's also a good idea to leave a copy of the serial numbers with your parents.
Buy traveler’s checks from major international distributors, such as American Express, Thomas Cook, Bank of America, or Barclays. Remember that you will probably have to pay 1 to 2 percent of the face value to buy the checks. If you cash American Express checks at an AmEx office or Barclays checks at a local Barclays branch, you can avoid additional service charges.
Budgeting
London is one of the most costly cities to live in, so as a rule of thumb, expect to spend a third more than you would for a semester or summer at your home campus. Each person’s priorities-and, consequently, costs-will be different.
If you have chosen to find your own housing, you will be responsible for the deposit on your flat (1 month’s rent: £500 approximately). The deposit will be returned at the end of the semester if there are no damages to the apartment, and no outstanding utility or telephone bills. You must pay the deposit out of your own funds; it is not covered by the per diem, a weekly allowance of about £135 throughout the semester. The per diem comes out of your program fee, and represents about what an average person will need for the semester to cover rent.
If you have selected the pre-arranged housing option, your apartment rent will be paid for through the program fee. You will pay the apartment deposit to Syracuse University separately before you depart the United States.
Budget Considerations:
- Local Transportation: Oyster card, Taxis
- Food: Budget for meals and additional recreational eating and drinking.
- Personal: Gym membership, health & beauty care, laundry, phone & email use.
- Academic Supplies: textbooks, course packs, etc.
- Entertainment: theater, clubs, museums, etc.
- Independent Travel: British Isles, Europe and Beyond
Health, Safety, & Wellness
Please let us know if you have a special academic concern (such as a learning disability), or a medical or psychological concern (such as depression, anxiety or an eating disorder). We cannot provide appropriate support and assistance unless we are informed in advance of the start of the program.
Personal Safety
London is considerably safer than most large US cities, however, you need to use, develop, and learn street-smarts. BE ALERT. Observe locals around you and be aware that the best way to guard your personal safety is to conform to cultural expectations. Exercise caution and common-sense late at night and in unfamiliar areas. Keep an eye on your drinks and on your valuables. Share cabs home, or make arrangements to spend the night with friends rather than risk a late night walk home alone.
Street Smarts
Since the days of Oliver Twist, crowded London streets have attracted pickpockets. There are several easy ways to foil a pickpocket:
- Don’t carry your passport with you (unless you need it as identification for cashing Traveler’s Checks) and never keep it in the same pocket or bag as your money, especially when traveling.
- Don’t carry any more money with you than you actually need.
- Divide your valuables: credit card in inside zipped pocket, wallet inside zippered compartment of bag, for instance.
- Men should avoid carrying money in their back hip pockets. Women should carry a bag with a zippered closing.
- Never leave your money or your wallet in the outside pocket of your backpack.
- Be especially careful in crowded tourist areas. Favorite haunts for pickpockets are Oxford Street, Leicester Square, the main American Express office, and busy travel bureaus.
Medical Care
Syracuse University is a member of International SOS, a service that provides students with information about, and access to, a full range of medical and emergency services including travel, health and safety advisories, referrals, care assessment, and translation services in case of hospitalization. See www.internationalsos.com for further information. In addition, the London Program has a list of local doctors who are happy to see Syracuse students.
As you probably know, Britain has a nationalized health service, but as a short-term student YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS SERVICE. You will have to pay the “private practice” rates for visits to the doctor. You will most likely have to pay for services as they are rendered, either in local currency or with a major credit card. Remember to keep all your receipts so you can be reimbursed by your insurance company.
Drugstores/Prescriptions
In Britain, they’re “chemists.” If you visit a London doctor, and get a prescription, it can be filled at a chemist’s; it is not possible to get an American prescription filled, so bring an adequate supply with you for the entire duration of your program. Keep your US medication in its original packaging and bring a copy of your prescription with you abroad. If you need nonprescription medications (cough syrup, etc.), go to a chemist; other stores don’t usually sell them.
Counseling Services
SU London has established links with London-based qualified counselors who can provide assessments and counseling support (at students' own expense) upon request.
What to Bring
Passport and Visa
Keep these handy while clearing customs then store them somewhere safe during your program.
Luggage and Packing
Selecting Your Luggage:
Take only bags that are light, easy to carry, and sturdy. European airports and train stations often have very long corridors and multiple flights of stairs. DO NOT TAKE MORE BAGGAGE THAN YOU CAN CARRY UNAIDED.
Luggage Restrictions:
ALL airlines have restrictions on the size, weight, and number of luggage items that you can take. They also have substantial fees for extra weight. Call the airline for specific restrictions.
Clothes and Climate
Anything goes for style in London, but most Londoners dress practically. Plan your wardrobe in terms of London climate, not U.S. fashion. Students in London dress very casually, similarly to those on your home campus. Generally, the weather is moderate, but damp. Houses, flats, and classrooms will not be kept as warm as in North America-about 62 degrees is warm enough indoors for most people in London.
If you’re coming for the fall semester, you will arrive when London temperatures typically run between 70 degrees (daytime) and 60 degrees (evening) Fahrenheit. It may rain frequently during the fall. By December, averages will run between 45 and 35 degrees with occasional freezing wind.
If you are coming for the spring semester, expect January days to have highs of 45 degrees, with lows of 35 degrees at night. By April, the range will still be about 55 to 45 degrees. There may be light snow in January or February, but any real accumulation is unusual. Expect lots of showers and misty days as spring approaches.
Summer in London is not super hot, but bear in mind that the city itself traps in a lot of heat. Light layers will keep you cool and be prepared for all kinds of weather.
Clothing in General:
First, think in terms of wearing layers. Then color coordinate. Only bring clothing that matches with several other articles. Remember clothes can be washed, thrown away or purchased in London. Of all fibers, wool keeps you warmest when the weather is cold and damp. Remember your feet. You will be doing a great deal of walking, so comfortable shoes and sneakers are essential. You will not need snow boots, but waterproof footwear (Wellies) or hiking boots can be good for weekend excursions or when the weather is unpredictable.
Computers & Appliances
Any appliances you bring- laptops, CD players, hairdryers- that operate on electrical current must have appropriate voltage converters and adapters. Be sure to check the wattage of your appliances and purchase the appropriate converter before you leave the U.S. (Important especially for laptops.) You may be much better off not bringing any appliances you can do without or, instead, consider purchasing an inexpensive hairdryer, etc. in London.
Getting Around
London is a vast city, and it is impossible to walk everywhere you’ll want to go. In no time you'll learn how to use and navigate the public transport system.
The Underground
London’s 279 Underground stations are easily recognized by their “bulls-eye” symbol. In Central London, one is never more than a few minutes away. Trains run from 6:30 in the morning until 12 or 12:30 at night.
Buses
As a general rule, use the Underground in your first days in London. It’s faster than the buses and less complicated. However, you will soon learn the convenience of the buses for certain routes. Taking the bus is also a great way to see the city.
Oyster Cards
Oyster is a new smartcard that you can use on the Tube (the underground), buses and National Rail services within London. The Oyster Card is a plastic card that you simply touch on a card reader either at the tube station or on the bus.
Taxis
Taxis are available at all airports, rail stations, and usually in the streets, and by phone. They are convenient, but of course more expensive than public transport. When traffic is heavy, they are also slower than the Underground. Rates are fixed, and you will see the meter by the driver’s seat. There can be extra charges for luggage and late-night travel.
A 10 percent tip is the norm. When you wave down a cab, the driver will open his window. Before you enter the cab, tell him where you want to go; he has the option (rarely used) of refusing to take you. You need to get out of the cab before paying the driver through the window. We strongly encourage our students to use only official London taxis and to avoid the use of minicabs.
Keeping in Touch
Phones
Cell phones, or ‘mobile phones’ as they are known in the UK, are now very competitively priced, starting at around £30. There are lots of different service providers, all with different tariffs, but the golden rule for saving money is to be on the same network as those you are going to call the most. Similarly the greater the denomination of the top up phone card you buy, the more calls you get for your money.
E-Mail and Snail Mail
The Faraday House has plenty of computers for your personal and academic use. Please note, however, that online time may be less than what you are used to during busy times of the program. If you wish to bring your own laptop carry it with you on the plane, do not risk checking it with the rest of your luggage.
In addition to e-mail, you’ll find that letters become a very important part of your life in London. It takes about five days for letters to reach London from Syracuse and vice versa. There is a mail room on the ground floor of the London Program where you can pick up mail during the week. Airmail postage for the U.S. covers the first 10 grams-an airmail envelope plus two airmail sheets. Be sure that letters or postcards have a blue airmail sticker or equivalent on them. If you’re going to mail many packages to the States, ask the Post Office for a copy of Postal Rates: Overseas Compendium, a booklet with full details on charges.
Have mail directed to you at the following address:
Your Name
Syracuse University London Program
Faraday House
48-51 Old Gloucester Street
London WC1N 3AE
England
Multi-Media
Newspapers
London has more newspapers than any American city. The “national” papers are published in the morning and are distributed across the country. The best British daily newspapers are The Guardian, The Independent, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph. The International Herald Tribune is published jointly by The New York Times and the Washington Post.
Magazines
If you look over a big newsstand, you’ll find a wonderful choice of magazines. There are European versions of Time and Newsweek, if you want to keep up with American news. For living in London, be sure to check Time Out. These are weeklies that come out every Wednesday and have very full information on theaters, movies, concerts, rock shows, pubs, restaurants, etc.
Television
When you are looking for a place to live check to see if a TV is provided. British television is of very good quality, and you can learn a lot from it about British culture. All Newhouse majors are required to have access to a TV, and you may want one simply for news and entertainment.
Traveling Outside of London
Despite all the things to see and do in London, few students can resist the idea of travel. Upon your arrival, the London Program will be providing you with many invaluable tips about planning your travels, both in the UK and throughout Europe.
Study Tours
Fridays at the London Program are kept clear of classes for a wide variety of stimulating field trips and individual research projects. Some trips are restricted to students in certain courses, but many are open to everyone. Student feedback has been excellent!
Non-U.S. Citizens
If you plan to travel during the semester, either on course excursions or independently, you must contact the consulates of each country you intend to visit. You may need tourist or transit visas. Course excursions are described in your Academic Packet.
Conclusion
Becoming a Londoner will mean many small adjustments. You’ll have to learn to shop differently, use a complex public transportation system, and live in a different kind of accommodation. You’ll also learn, gradually, to adapt to a different pace. You will undoubtedly be annoyed by some changes, and delighted by others. You will soon become aware of the fact that London is a multi-cultural, multi-national city. Not only does it host thousands of temporary visitors from all over the world, but it is home to a vast number of immigrant groups, many now in their second and third generations. Racial and cultural diversity is manifest throughout life in the city. This demonstrates the fact that there is no longer a single British culture, but many British cultures coexisting, for the most part, in harmony.
As an American, you’ll stand out in London. Your words, the level of your voice (loud by British standards), your body style will identify you. But by living on your own in London for several months, you will also have the chance to become a temporary Londoner. You’ll come to realize the misty days have their own beauty. You’ll begin to learn the elaborate rules (all unwritten and unspoken) of the pubs. You’ll begin to see that every Underground line has a personality of its own. You’ll become a regular reader of the Times, the Guardian, or the Independent, but probably not all three. You’ll know which fish-and-chips shop has the best cod. You’ll be stopped by American tourists for directions. Not only will you be able to help them-you’ll notice they have a funny accent. You’ll be a Londoner.
Before You Go Remember:
- Call your bank and credit card company to inquire about international transaction fees and to notify them of your travel dates and destinations.
- Make copies of important documents (visa, passport, travelers' checks, credit cards, etc.) to leave with a trusted friend or family member.
- Read up on your destination
- Fill all medical prescriptions for your entire journey abroad. This may require contacting your insurance ahead of time.
- Notify SU Abroad if you have any special medical and/or psychological needs or conditions.
