FAQs for Summer Study in London
- What to I need to have for medical insurance ?
- Is it hard to get around in London?
- Should I bring my laptop with me?
- Do I need to take adaptors for my computer, hairdryer, and camera?
- If I take my digital camera, will someone provide a camera port plug that transfers the digital pictures to a computer?
- What should I take with me to London ?
- How much duty-free can I bring back with me?
- What is the weight limit for luggage on international flights?
- Do I need a passport to travel to London?
- Will there be opportunities to travel to the mainland, to Ireland, or to Scotland while I’m studying in London?
- Is it expensive to live in London?
- What will the weather be like?
- Should I take my cell phone?
- How do I get from the dorm to the classroom ?
- What tourist sites are located near our Dormitory?
- What does the Wigram House Dorm look like?
- Will I be able to receive mail while at the hall?
- Can I leave my luggage at the beginning/end of my stay?
- Are there telephones and televisions in my dorm room?
- Is there a curfew?
- Can I have a guest stay the night?
- Are linens and towels provided?
- What does Regent Campus look like where the classroom is located?
- What is the class and theatre schedule?
- How many plays will we see?
- Will we take any trips beyond London?
1. What to I need to have for medical insurance? Students will need to purchase an ISE International Student Card from the ISC website. Or you can go to google.com and type in the subject ISE cards and choose another website from which to buy the card. The card costs $25 and it is required for insurance purposes and it also provides extra student discounts on countless of things. See the website to purchase the card online and to read about the discount benefits. Please note that you should not purchase the ISIC card. Only puchase the ISE card.
2. Is it hard to get around in London? No, the underground and buses make it easy to traverse within and outside of the city. The tube is open until 1 am. You can obtain a 7 day pass which will allow you to travel anywhere within zone 1 (the major spots of London) as frequently as you like within those 7 days. You can also obtain an Oyster Card which is a pay-as-you-go card. This card is beneficial if you are using the tube more than 3 trips per day. Underground Map (pdf).
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3. Should I bring my laptop with me? Yes, it is more convenient if you bring it just in case the computer lab is closed when you want to use it or just in case the computer lab is hot and stuffy. (They do not have air conditioners in the classrooms or the lab). The computer lab is located in the same complex as our classrooms. But these rooms are not near our dormitory. So it is advisable that you take your computer to work out of your own dorm room. Each dorm room is equipped with unlimited Internet access for 14 pounds a month. So you can surf the net in the comfort of your own private rooms.
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4. Do I need to take adaptors for my computer, hairdryer, and camera? Yes. Make sure that you have the proper adaptors for each of these items. Computers take a lot of juice, so shop ahead of time to make sure you get the proper adaptor for the right amount of voltage that your computer will use.
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5. If I take my digital camera, will someone provide a camera port plug that transfers the digital pictures to a computer? Yes. Your professor, Carolyn Woodward, will take a plug adaptor that you may check out. It is recommended that you bring your own blank CDs to burn your pictures from the digital camera onto a disc. Or you could email the pictures to yourself, but keep in mind that if you take many pictures on your trip, you will fill up the space in your email inbox. If you do not want to bring CDs or USB flashdisks, you could download your pictures to “myspace.”
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6. What should I take with me to London ? Take as little as possible. Pack a couple of times at home before you go because you will need to downsize. Some people have taken a small suitcase inside their larger one so that they can bring many gifts back with them. So pack a week in advance to help you downsize.
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7. How much duty-free can I bring back with me? There is no longer any duty-free limit for journeys within the EU (European Union). You can bring back an unlimited amount of goods from travel in any EU country as long as it for personal use or as a gift. Just keep in mind that you are only allowed two suitcases beneath the plane of 70 pounds each and only one small carry-on.
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8. What is the weight limit for luggage on international flights? Most Airlines have a carry-on weight limit of 40 pounds and a checked baggage weight limit of 70 pounds.
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9. Do I need a passport to travel to London? Yes. If you do not have one, you should apply now at your local U.S. Post Office. You do not need a visa, however, to travel in the EU.
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10. Will there be opportunities to travel to the mainland, to Ireland, or to Scotland while I’m studying in London? Yes. We will not have classes on Fridays, so you could travel to the continent or to Scotland or Ireland from Thursday night to Sunday night.
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11. Is it expensive to live in London? YES! The exchange rate remains steadily high: it was 1.89 to the dollar as of this November 14. So something that costs 5 pounds, costs $9.48 (almost double).
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12. What will the weather be like? Though it will be summer while you are in London, the weather will surprise you. Take both warm and cool clothing because some days it will be cold and rainy (and some nights it gets unbearably cold because the heaters will not be on) and some days will be hot and humid (they do not have air conditioners). It is likely that it will rain; so it is advisable that you take either a rain coat or an umbrella. (You will be traveling on the tube or bus back and forth from your rooms to your classroom). Take both closed-toed shoes and sandals. Take both long pants and shorts. Take both short sleeve and long sleeve shirts or jackets.
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13. Should I take my cell phone? If you have a fairly new cell phone with a SIMS card, then I advise you to take it. In London, you can get a free SIMS card that allows you to pay-as-you-go. You can go to Carphone Warehouse (a store with a blue sign found almost everywhere in zone 1) and put more money on the card as you need. The rate for calling from your new London SIMS card to the US (to either a landline or a cell phone) is about 9 cents per minute, an excellent rate! Using the SIMS card is better than purchasing a calling card, which, because it won’t work at every single payphone box, often will create an inconvenience for you. If you want to take your cell phone, just make sure that you call your cell phone company and have your SIMS card unlocked so that you can use a different country’s SIMS card. The SIMS card that you get in London will work if you travel to the mainland.
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14. How do I get from the dorm to the classroom ? From Wigram Dormitory of the University of Westminster you take a left on to Victoria Street and walk a few blocks to Victoria Underground Station. Get on the light blue line (the Victoria Line) and go north 2 stops to the Oxford Circus Underground Station. Walk up and take a right on Regent Street. We will have classes in 309 Regent Street, the Regent Campus of the University of Westminster.
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15. What tourist sites are located near our Dormitory? Located in a quiet residential street, off the paved piazza of Westminster Catholic Cathedral and the lively commercial district of Victoria, Wigram House is at the very heart of the London tourist sights. Westminster Abbey, The Palace of Westminster, dominated by Big Ben and its famous clock tower, the London Eye and the River Thames are less than 10 minutes walk away. A stroll across Victoria Street will take you to St James’ Park, a haven of peace and tranquility, edged by the majestic facade of Buckingham Palace on its west and the Palace of Whitehall to the east. The huge expanse of Trafalgar Square just stretches behind the park. These and many other attractions are all within 10 minutes walking distance of the hall! Such a feast of history, all on our doorstep!
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16. What does the Wigram House Dorm look like?
Wigram House Hall of Residence :
Accommodation and Facilities
Wigram House is a late Victorian mansion block, which has retained many of its original architectural features. The hall offers single and twin study bedrooms, (but we will each have our own single study rooms) all with washbasins and shared facilities at a ratio of about 1 to 6. Fully carpeted, the rooms are arranged in traditional hotel style around pods of bathrooms, showers and WCs, which are never far from your bedroom. There are 3 fully equipped kitchens on each floor for self-catering, supplied with cooker, fridge/freezer, a microwave, crockery and cutlery, a kettle, and a toaster. On the ground floor, the tastefully decorated TV Lounge/common room is a good place to meet people and make new friends. Clean bed linen and towels are provided and the kitchens, bathrooms/shower/WCs are cleaned daily.
For Virtual Tour of Wigram Single Bedroom: www.wmin.ac.uk/page-10772, www.wmin.ac.uk/page-10773, www.wmin.ac.uk/page-10774
For Virtual Tour of Wigram Shared Kitchen: www.wmin.ac.uk/page-10775
For Virtual Tour of Wigram Common Room: www.wmin.ac.uk/page-10776
For Virtual Tour of Victoria Station: www.wmin.ac.uk/page-10777
Address: Wigram House Dormitory
84-99 Ashley Gardens
Thirleby Road
London
SW1P 1HH
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17. Will I be able to receive mail while at the hall? Yes, please just have the sender address any post with the following: your name, room number, name of the hall of residence, and the address of the hall of residence. Post will be placed into your room's mailbox, which can be found either inside or near to the reception office.
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18. Are laundry facilities on-site? Yes, most halls have a laundry room with coin-operated washing machine and driers. The hall receptions also have an iron available for guests to use.
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19. Can I leave my luggage at the beginning/end of my stay? Unfortunately, Wigram Dorms do not have the storage capacity for luggage to be left at reception except for special circumstances. Please check with the hall receptionist if you need help with storing your luggage, and they will be able to advise you on the closest luggage storage location.
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20. Are there telephones and televisions in my dorm room? No, rooms do not have telephones or televisions. However, each hall is equipped with pay telephones, and televisions are located in each kitchen at every hall and in the common rooms.
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21. Is there a curfew? No, guests have access to the hall 24 hours a day and can come and go as they please.
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22. Can I have a guest stay the night? No, you may not bring a non-paying guest into your room overnight. Wigram asks that all guests please leave the halls by 11pm. However, if you have a friend or family member coming to visit you may enquire about the availability of a room for the duration of their stay – Contact Commercial Services Summer Accommodation
1 st floor Hall of Residence
35 Marylebone Road
London
NW1 5LS
Tel: +44 (0) 207 911 5181
Fax: +44 (0) 207 911 5037
Email: comserv@wmin.ac.uk
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23. Are linens and towels provided? Yes, Wigram provides all linens (including sheets, pillow, and blanket) along with towels which are changed weekly for those staying more than one week.
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24. What does Regent Campus look like where the classroom is located? For a Virtual Tour of the main entrance of Regent Campus of University of Westminster located on 309 Regent Street, go to < www.wmin.ac.uk/page-10984 >. For a Virtual Tour of the Reception area of Regent Campus go to < www.wmin.ac.uk/page-10985 >. The Campus and Reception area are gorgeous and centrally located. Take a look!
The main address and phone # for Regent Campus:
University of Westminster, Headquarters
309 Regent Street
London
W1B 2UW
+44 (0)20 7911 5000
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25. What is the class and theatre schedule? We’ll have classes Monday through Thursday, 9:00am to 3:00pm, with an hour break for lunch. Not all class time, though, will be spent inside classroom walls, as theatre history demands at least four walking tours to explore, for example, the ruins of the old Blackfriars monastery and location of Shakespeare’s Blackfriars Theatre near Ludgate Hill, or the backstage architecture of today’s Drury Lane Theatre (built in 1814); a visit to the Victoria & Albert Museum to consult their extensive theatre collections; and possibly a voyage down the Thames to Hampton Court, where Shakespeare often performed for James I in 1603. The schedule for evenings at the theatre will be announced as “What’s On” for summer becomes available. So watch this spot!
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26.How many plays will we see? We’ll see from 7 to 10 plays, and this will depend on what plays are “On” & their ticket prices, as well as what we can arrange for trips in and out of London.
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27. Will we take any trips beyond London? YES! We’ll certainly travel to the city of Bristol, for a backstage tour of Theatre Royal: Bristol Old Vic (England’s oldest working theatre), and to watch a play there after considering theatre architecture and posing questions about staging. As well, either we’ll travel as a group to Stratford-upon-Avon and to Bath, or trips to these locales will be arranged as optional tours. Stayed tuned and watch this spot!
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