Transcript Slide 1
Student Exchange Programme
French Language Immersion Award Pre-departure Briefing
Agenda
Visa & Paperwork Travel Plans Insurance Accommodation Transportation Finances Arrival Things to bring Once you’re there Preparing for home
Lyon
Pre-trip Preparation
Visa & Paperwork
Passport with 6 months or more validity Singaporean students do not need a visa to enter France for a stay under 90 days. Bring the letter from INSA Lyon (email notification to pick up from IRO) and the NUS financial sponsorship letter in case of any issues Students from other countries are ‘short term visa students’ and need to complete the short stay Schengen Visa application and submit the requested documents including the INSA Lyon letter and make an appointment online Take note of visa requirements for other countries
Pre-trip Preparation
Travel plans
Buy your flights early online or through a travel agent Check for student fares with your travel agent Sign up for frequent flyer mile programmes to accumulate mileage Take note of the time you will be arriving at your destination. If it is late at night, are you comfortable getting around the city alone and do you have somewhere to stay? Consider traveling in groups Check your airline’s baggage allowance before packing!
If you need to take a train to your final destination, please ensure you are not rushing to catch the last train
Pre-trip Preparation
Insurance
Get insurance – Insurance must be valid for travels in Europe, and must include health insurance (healthcare is expensive) in Europe and civil liability Email a copy of insurance to Wei Lin by 30 May 2012 Get travel insurance in case of lost luggage or delayed flights Please bring along the proof of insurance and coverage for reference. Do check for minimum requirements before purchasing Check with your insurance company on claiming procedures Get your prescriptions and jabs, glasses changed, teeth checked, etc - here!
If you are taking medications, please continue
Pre-trip Preparation
Accommodation
On-campus stay from 3 June to 29 June Details on early and late stay will be advised Same gender roommates will be allocated randomly Breakfast, lunch & dinner will be provided from Mondays to Fridays Bed linen will be provided but towels, toiletries are your responsibility Laundry facility will be available Guests may not be allowed – check with INSA Lyon first!
Communicate with your advisor – advise of any travel or missed meals Get to know other students from the dorm, use French as much as you can!
Pre-trip Preparation
Transportation
To reach Lyon: Train (TGV) from Paris, Plane to Saint Exupery Airport from Paris, bus or car Around the city: Subway, tram (INSA Lyon has 2 stops), bus, bicycle or foot. You may wish to get a bus card so please bring a few passport photos. Taxis are expensive!
Walking!
Pre-trip Preparation
Finances
Big Mac index
1USD = S$1.44
USA – 5.14
France – 6.37
Singapore – 4.45
Recommended monthly budget: Paris – €1,000 Elsewhere - €800
www.economist.com
(published March 17 2010)
Pre-trip Preparation
Arrival
You must arrive by Sunday, 3rd June at INSA Lyon campus You will be provided with the name and number of a coordinator in case your arrival is delayed Students arriving before 3rd June are recommended to stay in the Auberge de Jeunesse du Vieux-Lyon We recommend traveling after the programme instead of before to allow sufficient time to get your visa
Find out about..
The weather - To bring tee shirts or wool coats and mufflers? What about humidity?
Time difference Exchange rate Reporting the loss of your passport or credit cards Getting around: especially from airport to your accommodation. Taxis are expensive! Meet & Greet services Recipes of your favourite home-made dishes NUS and Singapore!
Things to Bring
1. Important Documents
Passport Letter of acceptance from partner university Proof of funding Copies of your insurance policies Please make copies of all important documents and keep separate sets in different places. It is also a good idea to leave one set at home so that these documents can easily be sent to you in the event that you lose those with you.
Things to Bring
2. Other Essentials
Enough cash to last you until you can visit an ATM Medication for personal use (prescription drugs should be kept in their original packaging with your name on it, and be accompanied by a doctor’s note) Travel adaptors and multi-plug adaptors Laptop (do you need it?), camera and cell phone chargers Umbrella or raincoat First-aid kit
Things to Bring
3. Daily necessities
Towels, Toiletries, alarm clock, hairdryer, clothes, footwear - be prepared to walk long distances Take note that the products you are used to may not be available overseas, or may be very expensive
4. Fun Stuff
Digital camera Photos of friends and family Souvenirs from Singapore Recipes, spices and “food mixes” – you need to learn to cook!
Pre-departure Checklist
Docs and Prep
Valid passport and visa Proof of acceptance at PU Proof of financial support Insurance Credit card/cash Confirmed flight ticket Emergency Contacts Vaccinations and checkups Exit permit for NSmen
Things to Bring
Appropriate clothing First aid kit Medication Adaptors and chargers Umbrella/raincoat Toiletries/alarm clock/ hairdryer Footwear Digital camera Photos and souvenirs Foodstuffs Passport photos
Once You’re There
1. First things first
CALL HOME! Ensure that your family members can contact you and inform them if you are going to travel - we do not want them calling us about your whereabouts Acquaint yourself with the campus and city Singaporeans should register themselves on the MFA website , other nationalities should contact their country’s diplomatic missions Find out who you should call in times of emergency – police, ambulance, or campus security
Once You’re There
2. Settling In
Familiarise yourself with your new surroundings Keep yourself updated with the daily local news Immerse yourself in French – movies, shows, anything!
Talk to new people – don’t keep to yourself Please don’t just stick to Singaporeans!
USE YOUR FRENCH – don’t be afraid, this is why you are there!
Once You’re There
3. Safety
Be safe – don’t wander around alone at night Look out for nearest security posts/police stations near home Beware of pickpockets – guys should keep their wallets in their front pockets and girls should keep their bags tightly clasped under their arms Be mindful of your surroundings Don’t leave your valuables lying around Don’t leave large amounts of cash in the room If confronted, give up your valuables and do not resist
Once You’re There
Alcohol, drugs, partying, etc
Be comfortable and don’t be pressured into anything Be smart Know when to say no It’s not okay just because everyone is doing it Always know your limit Something that is legal there may not necessary be acceptable in Singapore
Once You’re There
4. Culture Shock
Anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within an entirely different cultural or social environment, such as a foreign country. 1. Honeymoon Phase 2. Negotiation Phase 3. “Everything is ok” Phase 4. Reverse Culture Shock Recognise and talk to friends about it Be open-minded, and prepare yourself well by reading up about your host country beforehand
Once You’re There
5. Your Classes & Advisors
Your classes are not meant to be a ‘fast track’ for your NUS French courses, but instead a chance to really USE your French Respect is extremely important in the French student-teacher culture – be respectful!
Be patient with your roommate and expect cultural differences You cannot leave before the end of the programme Classes are on INSA Lyon campus but few local students are around – get off campus or spend time with local students during the social activities
Once You’re There
Tips to make the best of your time
Finding out as much as you can – the more you know, the more comfortable you’ll be Talk to people who have done the same thing. Learn & adapt – don’t copy Be open-minded and make the effort – to explore, experience new culture and places If a problem arises, try to resolve it. Good for you!
But also know when to approach others for help After your time abroad, be inspired!
Once You’re There
Be mature and recognise differences
Be prepared that things may be done in a different way and speed than what you are used to For example the French… are generally private people, free to be themselves only with close friends and family don’t rush meals or drinks, they’re to be enjoyed aren’t loud use titles and address others politely dress well Respect others & act in ways to be respected too
Preparing for Home
Say your goodbyes and thank you’s (Intl Office included!) Confirm your returning flight details Keep speaking French!
Complete feedback survey Continue your 2 nd in Singapore year of French when back Prepare to apply for SEP
Important Contacts and Links
INSA Lyon will provide a document sharing site with general information, check your email for update on this Contact at INSA Lyon Nina Arnesen, [email protected]
Delphine Fradois, , +33 472 43 89 99 (office), +33 6 33 06 51 82 (mobile) For questions related to the French courses : [email protected]
Embassies/High Commissions : www.mfa.gov.sg
Local emergencies number : 112 Credit card and bank telephone numbers NUS Emergency Contact
+65-6874 1616
Important LIA Reminders
Important Reminders
You must complete 4 LPP modules Purposes) before going for SEP (including French for Academic Dropping out of FAP = Dropping out of the LPP You are advised to go for SEP in Year 3 so that you can complete the LPP according to the regular schedule If your degree programme does not allow you to do 4 modules of LPP or if you are not able to go on SEP in your Year 3, DO NOT apply for the French LIA Your obligation includes meeting your faculty’s SEP criteria so that you can go on exchange
Important Reminders
Accepting the LIA constitutes an agreement to go back to a particular university/region for exchange – if you do not do so, you will have to pay the penalty amount of $3000 Accepting the French LIA constitutes a commitment to go on SEP to France/Switzerland/Belgium for 1 or 2 semesters in Year 3!
Accepting the French LIA for INSA Lyon constitutes a commitment to go on SEP to INSA Lyon for 1 or 2 semesters in Year 3! To go on SEP in Year 3 Sem 1 or 2 , please apply at the end of 2012