The Year Abroad(US)

Contents

Working in the US 13Who can work in the US?Social Security numbers

Life in the US 14National holidaysTime zonesTelephones and making callsVoltage and electrical appliancesLegal mattersSmokingAlcoholLesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender supportand resources

Travel within the US 16State tourist officesPublic transportDriving in the USHitch-hikingHotels and motelsYouth hostels

Travel outside the US 18Canada and MexicoReturning home for the holidays

Life back home 19Keeping in touch with the University of KentRegistering to vote as an overseas student

Preparing to return home 20Clearing debtsRegistering for classes at the University of KentAccommodation at the University of Kent

Other resources 21Travel guides for the US

FAQs 22

Contacts 23

Notes 24

Finally Inside back cover

Introduction 1

Choosing a university 2The application process

Pre-departure information 3Student visasVisa application processNon-UK citizens onlyUS visa application process for UK studentsMaintaining your visaBooking flightsArranging accommodation and meal plansLuggage and packing

Arriving in the US 7When to arriveOrientationMeeting your international student adviserRegistering at your university in the USObtaining a student ID card

Academic culture 8Teaching styleLower and upper division classesTimetablesExaminationsGrading systemsTranscriptsAdding or dropping a class‘Pass’ or ‘not pass’ optionsCrashing a classWriting stylePlagiarismLibrariesBooks

Money matters 10CurrencyBudgetingFinances, traveller’s cheques and opening bankaccountsBank cardsInternet bankingLiving costsUniversity of Kent tuition feesStudent loansAccess To Learning Fund

Sport and healthcare 12Sports facilities on campusHealth regulations and vaccinationsUniversity facilitiesInsuranceDental careMedicationDeclaration of illnesses, disabilities or allergiesCounselling and mental illness

1

Studying abroad is an excitingopportunity for students at theUniversity of Kent. Not only does itexpand your academic horizons andexpose you to other perspectives ofacademic thought, it also provides youwith a wonderful cultural experienceto live and study in another country.

This guide is intended to support any material thatyou may already have received, and shouldprovide you with useful information as you preparefor your academic year in the United States. Youshould supplement this guide with a carefulreading of any information you may receive fromyour American university/college and with someindependent research of your own.

Please read this booklet in its entirety before youleave for the US. If, after reading it, you still havefurther questions, please do not hesitate to contactthe relevant staff (see our Contacts section onp23) who will do their best to answer yourquestions in a timely manner. We would alsowelcome suggestions of topics that you feelshould be covered, or which you think should beexpanded in this booklet.

Lastly, we wish you the best of luck with your yearin the US and encourage you to make the most ofall of the opportunities that will come your way.Remember that you are also ambassadors for theUniversity of Kent, so do us proud!

Best wishes from theInternational Office, University of Kent

The Year Abroad (US)Introduction

Reminder

Please email Hazel Lander (Welfare and

Exchanges Officer), at h.lander@kent.ac.uk

as soon as you arrive in the US, to provide

her with your new phone number, address

and contact information, together with a

confirmation of the classes you will be

taking during your first quarter or semester.

You must do this within a week of arriving

in the US. For further details, see page 23.

Introduction

good idea to begin collating or sourcing thesedocuments early. Please note that the reason youare requested to provide financial documents is sothat the American university is satisfied that youmeet all of the criteria for a student visa, whichincludes having access to a specified amount ofmoney. The university has to verify this before theycan send you the Certificate of Eligibility, which isthe document you will need to apply for your visa.The amount of money to which you will need toprove you have access will vary from university touniversity, as living costs vary from city to city. TheInternational Office will be able to update you withwhat these figures are at the time you make yourapplication. Please note that when you submitdocuments for your financial verification, youshould adhere to the following general list of do’sand don’ts:

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Deciding which university you willapply to for your year abroad is animportant process. It is worth spendingtime researching which university willprovide the best experience for you. Doyou prefer to be by the coast or inland?Do you prefer urban or campus-baseduniversities? Is it important for you tobe somewhere where the cost of living ischeaper? Which university has thestrongest department for your academicinterests? There are many ways tosource this information – from theinternet, from returning students, fromyour Kent lecturers and from theInternational Office. In some cases, itmay not always be possible toaccommodate your first choiceuniversity, but you should be assuredthat all of our partner universities havebeen carefully chosen to provide youwith positive and fulfilling experiences.

The application processEach school at Kent has its own criteria as to howthey select students for the year abroad in the US.In general, most departments require students tohave averaged a good 2:2 by the end of theirsecond year and you may also be invited to aninterview to explain why you think you should go toa specific university in the US. Following yourinterview and/or discussion with your school, youwill be informed which university Kent will benominating you for. At this point, you will then haveto go through a formal application process withthe partner university to confirm your place as anexchange student. The application process for thiswill vary from university to university; some will berelatively simple applications that ask for basicinformation, while others may be much longerbureaucratic processes. If you are in any doubtabout how to complete the application forms,please contact the International Office for furtherinformation.

In all cases, students going to the US will have toprovide academic transcripts (including A levelcertificates or equivalent) plus financial documentsto prove that you will have enough funds tosupport yourself during your year abroad so it is a

Choosing a university

The Year Abroad (US)Choosing a university

Do:• Submit original documents• Provide recent bank statements• Ensure documents show cleared funds• Provide original signatures and letters from yoursponsors, if your funds come from more thanone source (for example, from you, yourparents, your grandparents, a scholarshipand/or an employer).

Don’t:• Submit photocopies or faxes• Provide statements more than three months old• Submit portfolios showing shares (these vary invalue with the stock market so cannot becounted as cash or cleared funds)

• Indicate predicted earnings as part of your loandocumentation (working over the summercannot be used to explain where your moneywill come from).

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Student visasOnce you have been accepted by your hostuniversity, you will then need to think aboutapplying for your visa. If you are not a US orCanadian passport holder, you must obtain a visabefore travelling to the US. Under nocircumstances should you travel to the US on thevisa waiver scheme and try to change your statuson arrival – this is not possible. Similarly, if youtravel to Canada or Mexico and try to apply foryour visa from there, the US Embassy will almostcertainly reject your application, as you will besuspected of trying to use a ‘backdoor’ route tothe US. The embassies in those countries will alsostate that they are not able to fully assess yourhome ties and this will also mean that you will notbe able to re-apply for your visa in London forseveral months. A rejected visa application looksbad on your record and could jeopardise yourchances of getting a US visa in the future soplease go through the correct procedures.

Students travelling abroad in the summer prior toattending university in the US should ensure thatthey have allowed themselves enough time fortheir visa applications to be processed by the USEmbassy. The summer is a busy time for the USEmbassy so it may take several weeks or more foryou just to secure an Embassy appointment.However, US embassies will usually not permit youto make your visa appointment until 90 daysbefore the start of your study programme. Pleasebear in mind that you will have to surrender yourpassport to the US Embassy while it assessesyour application. Students considering spendingthe summer in the US (on BUNAC or CampAmerica for example) should be warned that ifthey choose to work in the US over the summerperiod, it is likely that they will subsequently haveto return to the UK after completing their workplacement to then apply for their student visa fromthe UK before being able to re-enter the US as astudent on the correct visa.

Although the warnings above may make the visaapplication process seem quite daunting orcomplicated, the instructions in the followingpages aim to provide you with a simple step-by-step guide to help you with your visa application.Do bear in mind that many students go throughthe visa application process each year, and mostwill obtain their visas as long as they have followedthe instructions and supplied the documents asrequested. Please note that we cannot intervene inany visa applications to speed up the process orto make visa appointments on your behalf, so it isimportant that you plan to apply for your visa inplenty of time and that you ensure that all of yourdocuments are fully complete and well-prepared.

Visa application processYou will normally only be able to apply for yourvisa once you receive your Certificate of Eligibility(also known as the I-20 or DS-2019) from your hostuniversity in the US. These documents are usuallysent to students from May onwards and should betreated as important legal documents – if you loseyour Certificate of Eligibility, replacementdocuments can be difficult to obtain. Please notethat your subsequent visa stamp in your passportis only valid for entry to the US – once you are inthe US, the Certificate of Eligibility demonstratesyour eligibility to remain there. However, bothdocuments (the I-20 or DS-2019 and your visa) arerequired for entry to the US, so do not leave your I-20 or DS-2019 at home. Students who receive anI-20 will be applying for an F-1 visa and studentswho receive a DS-2019 will be applying for a J-1visa. The nature of your visa, whether it is F-1 or J-1, is determined simply by which university youwill be going to – you cannot choose which visayou will be applying for.

DS-160 Online Visa FormApplicants applying for visas at the Embassy inLondon or the Consulate General in Belfast arerequired to complete the online DS-160. They willno longer accept the DS-156.

The DS-160 is web-based and once completed,transmits the applicant’s data to the post wheres/he will apply for the visa. As the data is collectedelectronically, it means that we will be able toconduct various forms of pre-processing and pre-screening in advance of the application whichshould reduce processing delays. It also meansthat applicants who apply for visas on a frequentbasis can save their original application andsimply submit the updated form.

The DS-160 form may be accessed athttps://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

Before accessing the DS-160, please note thefollowing points:

The DS-160 site has been experiencingintermittent connectivity issues. Please save yourwork frequently.

• As you complete the visa application, savea copy on your hard drive, CD or USB and‘save’ often

• If asked the question “Have you attended anyeducational institutions other than an elementaryschool”, you should list all educational institutionsyou have attended since the age of 11

• Provide accurate and complete information inanswer to the questions. You will be given anopportunity to review the information beforesubmitting the form. If you submit a DS-160 thatis inaccurate or incomplete, your application willbe rejected

• Review the Department of State photospecifications http://travel.state.gov/visa/guide/guide_3888.html before uploading thephotograph. If your photo does not comply, itwill be rejected

• Select the correct location at which you willapply for the visa. If applying at the Embassy,please select London, England; if applying atthe Consulate General in Belfast, please selectBelfast, N. Ireland

• Select the correct visa category under "Purposeof Travel to the United States" in the "TravelInformation Section" - the drop down list willappear in answer to the question" Are you thePrincipal Applicant". If you do not see your visacategory, click on “Other” for further information

Visa application steps:1 Receive an I-20 or DS-2019 from the sponsoringuniversity or programme

2 Get visa photo – ask for US passport size andfor both print and digital versions

3 Complete the DS-160 online form (starting from1 March 2010 this will replace the DS-156, 158and 154)1 Note applicants will be asked to upload adigital passport photo

2 Save often while completing form4 Print DS-160 barcode to bring to interview5 Schedule an interview by phone at:090 424 50100 (1.20 pounds per minute)

6 Complete visa interview at US Embassy inLondon – for now, applicants are required tobring a print passport photo as well.

7 Expect to receive visa and passport within anaverage of 5 working days. Expedited deliveryservice can be purchased.

Current visa fees:• Visa application: $131:• SEVIS: $200 for F applicants; $180 for J exchangevisitors; $35 for J intern and au pair categories

Non-UK citizens only

You will normally have to apply for your US visaat a US Embassy or Consulate in your homecountry/country of citizenship. We recommendyou visit the US Embassy websitewww.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/index.htmlfor up-to-date information and also call the USEmbassy in London to check whether youmight be able to apply from the UK.

If you are not a UK citizen, you should payparticular attention to changes posted on the USEmbassy website and will need to bear in mindthat your application may take longer to process.Notes available at www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/add_tcns.html also provide moreinformation.

Pre-departure information

The Year Abroad (US)Pre-departure information

Continued overleaf

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If your visa application has been successful, yourI-20 or DS-2019 will be returned to you with yourpassport and visa stamp. Remember that the I-20or DS-2019 are very important documents andshould always be carried with the passport duringyour year abroad. It is also necessary to have yourDS-2019 or I-20 signed by a designated signatoryofficer (DSO) at the international student office onyour host university’s campus if you travel outsidethe US during your year abroad (including if youreturn home to the UK for Christmas or Easterholidays). The immigration officer at the port ofentry to the US will not allow you to (re-)enter USterritory without a signed I-20 or DS-2019.

Note: This also applies for visits to Canada andMexico.

You should contact the International Office at theUniversity of Kent if you have not received your I-20 or DS-2019 three months before you plan todepart for the US.

During your flight to the US, you will also be givenan I-94 Arrival/Departure record card. You willneed to complete this and the document will thenbe stamped by Immigration at the port of entry (ieat the airport immigration desk). Keep the I-94record card with your passport at all times.

Arrival and departure restrictionsStudents on both J-1 and F-1 visas can enter theUS up to 30 days before the designated start dateon the Certificate of Eligibility, assuming theprocessed visa has been received back from theUS Embassy before departing for the US. Do not,under any circumstances, attempt to enter the USwithout your visa. F-1 visa holders have a so-called ‘period of grace’, which allows them toremain in the US for up to 60 days after the lastdate indicated on their I-20, while J-1 visa holderscan remain in the country for up to 30 days pastthe date indicated on their DS-2019.

US Embassywww.usembassy.org.uk

Operator Assisted Visa Information &Appointment BookingThis service is available at the following times:• Monday – Friday: 8.00 am until 9.00 pm• Saturdays: 09.00 am until 4.00 pm

Callers within the United KingdomCallers from within the United Kingdom shoulddial 09042-450-100 09042-450-100. Calls to thisline are charged at £1.20/min from BT landlines;some mobile and network providers may chargemore. In addition, callers from outside the U.K.and some mobile and network providers cannotaccess this number.

Maintaining your visaIt is your responsibility to ensure that you maintainthe terms of your student visa – read all of theguidance material available from the US Embassyto ensure that you stay on top of any changes. Youneed to be aware that:

• You must maintain a minimum academic loadthroughout your academic year (12 units persemester for the majority of our partneruniversities, or 13 units per semester for UCBerkeley). If you are in any doubt about whatyour minimum load is, check with yourinternational student adviser.

• You must go to see your international studentadviser as soon as possible after your arrival forcheck-in and document verification. You shouldtake your passport (with the I-94 entry cardattached) and your I-20 or DS-2019.

• You must let your international student adviserknow your address in the US, including anysubsequent change of address.

• You must have your Certificate of Eligibilitysigned by your host university’s DesignatedSignatory Officer (DSO) if you leave the country.

Travel signaturesIf appropriate, you may have to obtain a validtravel signature on your DS-2019 visa document inorder to travel outside the US during the holidays.You should allow at least one week before yourplanned departure to obtain the signature. Thesignature enables you to return to the U.S.

A signature is needed even if you are justtravelling across the border into Canada orMexico. In signing the visa document, the adviseris certifying that you are enrolled full-time and arein good standing at the University. You are advisedto check with the study abroad Office in your hostuniversity to check if this is applicable.

Booking flightsThere are many airline carriers that operatebetween the US and the UK. Prices will varydepending on the directness of the flight, thedeparture time and the season. It may be possibleto get a cheaper flight by purchasing anInternational Student Identity Card (ISIC) andclaiming a student discount. The ISIC card can bepurchased from STA Travel agents for £7 (seewww.isiccard.com for further information).

The Year Abroad (US)Pre-departure information

Pre-departure information (cont)

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Some of the most well-known airlines that fly directto the US are:British Airways www.britishairways.comVirgin Atlantic www.virgin-atlantic.comAmerican Airlines www.aa.comUnited Airlines www.united.comBritish Midland (BMI) www.flybmi.comKLM www.klm.com

In addition to checking flights through high-streettravel agents or any of the above links, it may beuseful to look at some Internet-based travelcompanies such as www.lastminute.com,www.expedia.com and www.octopustravel.com.These companies often compare flight prices onmultiple airlines for you, so this could save yousome legwork!

Arranging accommodation and meal plansSecuring accommodation during your year abroadis an important part of your preparation. Wherepossible, we have made agreements with our USpartners that they will make accommodationavailable for you to rent for the duration of yourexchange programme. In some cases where on-campus provision is limited, it may not be possiblefor the host university to guaranteeaccommodation so you must be prepared for thepossibility that you may not be able to live oncampus. Do bear in mind that visa regulationsallow you to arrive up to 30 days prior to the startof the term so if you are unable to secureaccommodation prior to departure, you should beprepared to travel to the US early to look foraccommodation prior to the beginning of classes.

It is sometimes a requirement of living in universityaccommodation that you must purchase a mealplan. Meal plans usually offer flexible catering inthat you can often choose to eat your meals inyour halls of residence or in any of the campuscafés or restaurants. Food is usually of a goodstandard, with plenty of choice for vegetarians.The minimum number of meals that must bepurchased will vary from university to university;advice from former (and current) Kent students isto purchase as few meals as possible – usually 14a week – but rising to 20. Please remember thatalthough purchasing a smaller meal plan lowersyour initial cost, you will still need to eat and payfor food, whether it is through a meal plan or not.Previous students have also added that at leastwith meals already paid for, they have not gonehungry if they have later run out of money!

If you are offered university accommodation, thereare some cultural differences between universityhousing in the UK and university housing in the USthat should be noted. What is often most strikingfor UK students is that most universityaccommodation in the US takes the form of ashared bedroom, so it is very unlikely that you willbe offered a single room. There are, however,plenty of study and social spaces in the halls ofresidence and on campuses and it can be quite abonus to have an American student as a room-mate, as they will often have a car and mayintroduce you to their friends and families or takeyou on trips in and around the US.

In addition to freshman (first year) students, mostUS halls of residence will also have ResidentAssistants (‘RAs’) who are usually third or fourthyear students. Their role is to enforce dormitoryrestrictions and oversee the halls of residence soit is important to understand their position in thehalls. Due to the age of most students living inhalls of residence, alcohol is prohibited and RAswill apply these rules quite strictly. In addition,most campus housing facilities in the US are alsoclosed during term breaks, including Christmasholidays. Students must be prepared to travel ormake alternate living arrangements during theseperiods, so please read your contract carefullyand plan accordingly.

If you choose to look for housing in the privatesector, it will be easier to search for a room in anestablished student household rather than to lookfor a whole apartment yourself. If you try to rent anapartment by yourself, you could be asked toprovide extensive documentation in advance ofmoving in, including references, a Social Securitynumber and written proof of your finances. Somelandlords may even require a US sponsor to co-sign your lease agreement. Initial move-in costsmay also be more than you would expect in theUK as you will be expected to pay the equivalentof the first and last month’s rent plus a securitydeposit before you can move in so read the termsand conditions of your accommodation contractcarefully. In most cases, you will be signing acommitment for a full academic year and may beliable for the full rent even if you leave youraccommodation early or decide to find alternativehousing. Furthermore, utilities (such as gas,electricity, water and refuse collection/’trash’) mayor may not be included in your monthly rental. Ifyour rooms are unfurnished (which is common)you would also need to purchase a bed. Your hostuniversity’s housing office can provide you withinformation, rental resources and important adviceabout your rights and obligations as a renter.

Lastly, if accommodation is offered by your hostuniversity and this is the option you would like tofollow, please ensure that you meet any applicationdeadlines they impose. Most universities have longwaiting lists for accommodation so if you misstheir accommodation deadlines it is likely thatthere will be other students who are waiting to takeyour place!

Luggage and packingThe amount of luggage you can take with you willbe restricted according to the ticket you use to flyto the US. Apart from the weight restrictionimposed by your airline, there is also an articlelimit, which will restrict the number of suitcases orbags you can take with you. In most cases, fortransatlantic flights it is possible to check onesuitcase for transportation in the hold and thentake a small cabin bag onto the plane with you.Laptops can often be taken into the cabin inaddition to your cabin bag. Remember to checkyour airline’s size limitations too, which will definethe dimensions allowed for your suitcases andcarry-on luggage.

A good general rule is to take no more than youcan comfortably carry. Most students accumulateadditional items while they are away so it is agood idea to leave some space in your suitcaseson your outbound flights. Check the climate of thearea you will be going to and note any specialdifferences that may require specific clothing (verycold winters, for example). Take appropriateclothing for the region, or buy it there as you mayfind it less expensive than buying in the UK.Excessive baggage is expensive, so forwardplanning is essential.

Lastly, take into account that sheets andpillowcases are not usually provided on UScampuses. You may want to take these with you,but they can be also purchased locally at verycompetitive prices (and are of good quality).

The Year Abroad (US)Pre-departure information

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7

When to arriveStudents on both F-1 and J-1 visas can enter theUS up to 30 days before the designated start dateon your Certificate of Eligibility, assuming yourprocessed visa has been received back from theUS Embassy. In addition to the legal date that yourvisa permits you to arrive in the US, you will alsoneed to check with your host university as to theirrecommended arrival date – they may offer freetransfers from local airports to their campuses onparticular days. You should also ensure you arriveon campus during office hours, and not later than4pm, as it may be difficult to obtain your room keyor meet staff after this time.

OrientationThe University of Kent strongly recommends thatyou arrive in time for any orientations provided forinternational or exchange students at your hostuniversity. These orientations are an excellentintroduction to life in the US and provide lots ofvery useful information that will help you to settle inquickly to your new life. If you are unable to attendyour orientation (if, for example, you are stillwaiting for your visa), contact your internationalstudent adviser (see below) in advance to checkwhether it is possible to obtain any of theinformation or to attend a ‘make-up’ orientation forlate arrivals.

Meeting your international student adviserAfter you have arrived in the US, we recommendthat you make an appointment to introduceyourself to your international student adviser. He orshe will act as your first point of contact duringyour year abroad so it can be very beneficial toget to know your adviser early. It is also arequirement to check-in with your adviser for visapurposes, so make this a priority.

Registering at your university in the USRegistration at most American universities is anonline process and may even begin before youleave the UK, but there may still be some formsthat need to be completed on arrival or signed byhand. The international student adviser at yourhost university will advise you about how tocomplete registration. It is a good idea to take afull copy of your academic transcripts with you(particularly your A level and university transcripts)in case you need to provide proof of prioracademic study to gain entry to a specific class ormodule.

Obtaining a student ID cardOnce you have completed your registration at yourhost university, you should receive a student IDcard, which will include a photograph and yourstudent ID number. Keep your identity card in asafe place as you are likely to be asked for itfrequently (as a library card, in banks, for entranceto certain parts of the university and to obtaindiscounts at certain stores in the US).

Arriving in the US

The Year Abroad (US)Arriving in the US

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Academic culture

The Year Abroad (US)Academic culture

Teaching styleStudying in the US is very different to studying inthe UK. Although some things may initially seemthe same, if you look a little closer you will noticethat there are in fact some very large differencesthat will have an effect on the way in which youlearn.

The most fundamental difference is the differentapproach to undergraduate studies in the US.Whereas in the UK, students choose theiracademic programme before beginning of theirdegrees (for example, they will choose to apply fora degree in American Studies or a degree inInternational Relations), often students in the USwill not declare their ‘major’ (ie what the bulk oftheir degree is and what the title of their degreewill be) until part-way through their undergraduatestudies.

This is because the aim of the US undergraduateeducation system is to provide a more generaleducation across a wide range of disciplines sostudents actually have the flexibility to decide theirmajors at a later point. For this reason, studentsare usually required to take modules (or ‘classes’)across a wide range of academic disciplines andhave to complete a certain number of generaleducation classes plus a specific number of‘major’ classes (modules within their specialistarea) in order to graduate. However, there is nospecific order in which students must take theseclasses.

Most lecturers in the US are given the title of‘Professor’. Professors are more autonomous thanin the UK and usually have full responsibility forthe way a course is taught, examined, and what itcontains. During the first meeting of a class, it iscustomary that you will be given a comprehensiveclass outline, which covers the syllabus for theduration of that module along with detailedreading lists of what you should be reading inpreparation for every individual meeting of thatclass. Teaching is more prescriptive in the US sorather than ask you to do some general researchon a particular area, it is more likely thatprofessors will ask you to read specific chapters ofa book they have chosen.

In classes you will find a mixture of lectures,discussions and group work as well as theoccasional ‘pop quiz’ (an unscheduled exam totest if you have been keeping up-to-date with yourreading). During lectures, you may find yourselvesin lecture theatres seating 400 students if you aretaking a popular ‘survey’ class; if a class is thissize it is normal that the professor will give thelecture and that the discussions or seminars willbe led by ‘TAs’ (teaching assistants – usually PhDstudents). Please also note that you will beexpected to participate in class discussion.Remember that American students are quitewilling to speak, so do not be dissuaded by theusual British reticence! People (including yourprofessors) will want to hear your opinions andideas, and class participation can be a factor indeciding your final grade for that class.

Lower and upper division classesStudents in any particular class may come from avariety of academic backgrounds and may alsobe a mix of first, second, third or fourth yearstudents. Classes in the US are given either loweror upper division status. The basic differencebetween these classes is that lower divisionclasses (often given a numerical code in the 100series, such as ‘Literature 101’) are oftenintroductory level classes (roughly equivalent tothe first year of a UK degree), and upper divisionclasses (often given a numerical code in the 200series, such as ‘Theology 205’) are those whichare more advanced (roughly equivalent to thesecond and third years of a UK degree). However,as students can take a combination of upper andlower division classes throughout their degree, youmay find that you have final year students takingsome lower division classes, and equally that afirst or second year student may be taking anupper division class so you will have theopportunity to meet a wide variety of students.When choosing your classes, ensure that youcomply with the University of Kent’s requirementstoo – for further details, contact your Year AbroadCo-ordinator.

TimetablesWhile you may have fairly limited contact time atuniversity in the UK, this is not the case in the US.Classes will usually meet twice a week (onTuesdays and Thursdays), or three times a week(on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) – thelength of the classes may vary according towhether they meet two or three times a week.Outside these classes, students in the US willoften set up study groups where they meet tostudy together or to discuss a seminar. Althoughthis may seem strange to UK students at first, whoare more used to studying in their own rooms orby themselves, this is an excellent opportunity foryou to get to know other students better, and alsoto be able to talk to peers about any issues raisedin the class. US students often ‘cram’ (or revise)together too, so be prepared for this communalapproach to studying.

ExaminationsThe method of examination will differ from courseto course. On average, it is common for studentsto have to submit some form of written work everyweek or so (which may or may not count towardsa final grade), and they will then have to submit amid-term paper or sit a mid-term exam (whichdoes count towards the final grade) and then lastlysit an end-of-term paper and/or exam too (whichalso counts towards the final grade). As mentionedpreviously, class participation and attendancemight also count towards the final grade. If youare in any doubt, ask your professor at thebeginning of the quarter or semester how theclass will be assessed. This information should belisted in your class schedule too.

Grading systemsPapers and examinations are usually assessedaccording to an alpha letter system with 'A' beingthe top grade and ‘F’ being a fail (the letter ‘I’ orabbreviation ‘Inc’ may be given to a student whofails to complete a class – if you fail to completethe class this later becomes an ‘F’). Within eachletter grade, it is also possible to receive a plus orminus grade, for example, you might receive a B+grade, or a C-, for example. These grades alsohave numerical equivalents, which are used tocalculate your grade point average (GPA). YourGPA is the average grade of your results from asemester, year or entire degree. As a roughestimate, to calculate your GPA, multiply thenumerical figure corresponding to a grade (A = 4,B = 3, C = 2, 1 = 0) by the number of credit hoursfor the course. Thus, if you received an A gradefor a course of three credit hours, and a B gradefor a course of 3 credit hours, you would make thefollowing calculation:

A = 4 x 3 credit hours = 12B = 3 x 3 credit hours = 9Subtotal = 21Divided by 6 credit hours = 3.5 GPA

TranscriptsAt the end of your academic year in the US, yourhost university will send your transcript back to theUniversity of Kent to be translated into UKpercentage marks. The translation may beadjusted to take into consideration any gradeinflation or mitigating circumstances, but as ageneral guide, the table below should provide avery general indication of what your Americangrades might translate to under the UK system:

US Letter Grade US GPA UK PercentageA+ 4.0 *A 4.0 76%A- 3.7 67%B+ 3.3 59%B 3.0 52%B- 2.7 44%C+ 2.3 36%C 2.0 30%C- 1.7 N/AD+ 1.3 N/AD 1.0 N/AD- 0.7 N/AF 0 0%

* At some universities, a grade point of 4.2 isgiven to students awarded an A+, but at others itis 4.0.

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The Year Abroad (US)Academic culture

Adding or dropping a classAt the beginning of each semester there is an‘add/drop’ period, during which you can try out anumber of different classes and then makechanges to your schedule if necessary. Therefore,you could try out a number of classes and thendecide to ‘drop’ one of your existing classes totake on (or ‘add’) another in its place. Consult theuniversity/college catalogue for details (and thedates) of this procedure or ask your academicadviser about this, as this usually means that youwill have to complete some forms by a specificdeadline.

‘Pass’ or ‘not pass’ optionsWhen US students register for their classes, theygenerally have the option to take up to a third ofthe classes outside their major as ‘Pass/Not Pass’.This means that students attend the class andcomplete all assessments but that the letter gradethey achieve for it will not count towards theiroverall grade point average. Instead of a lettergrade from A–F, students receive either a P (pass)or an N/P (not pass). In a way, this is similar to thefirst year of many UK degrees, when the first yearonly counts as a qualifying year to go onto the restof the degree but the actual marks received donot count towards the final degree classification. Itis important to point out however that you are notpermitted to take any classes as P/NP duringyour year abroad in the US, even though Americanstudents will be allowed this option. Each classyou take must be assessed for its full letter grade.

Crashing a classIf a class you would like to enrol in is already full, itmay be possible to ‘crash’ the class. This meansthat with the permission of the professor, youattend the class as though you were fullyregistered for it and then either wait for someoneto drop out of the class (and therefore create aspace for you), or that you prove how dedicatedyou are so that your professor decides to add youto the class anyway. This seems like quite anunusual process to UK students, but is fairlynormal for US students who are keen to enrol inover-subscribed classes. Students should bear inmind that crashing a class is not alwayssuccessful (sometimes there just isn’t space forexample) but in many cases it results in studentsbeing given special permission to attend the class.In such circumstances, it is a good idea toremember the ‘three Ps’: be polite, patient andpersistent!

Writing styleThe writing style in the US will be different to thestyle you have been accustomed to in the UK. TheUS writing style usually takes a much morepersonal approach where students are expectedto express their own opinions at length, so there ismuch more use of the first person narrative.

Students also often create their own essay titles orchange the titles given to them by professors toshow which slant response they will be offering intheir essay. In order to ensure that you write in thestyle requested by your professors, check withyour tutors at the beginning of the term orsemester as to what they expect of you. Thisclarification will help you as you research and writeyour papers.

In addition to checking with your professors,consult your syllabi and departments for advice,rules and regulations. The following resources mayalso provide you with some useful information, forexample:

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Paperswww.mla.org/store

The Chicago Manual of Stylewww.chicagomanualofstyle.org

Publication Manual of the AmericanPsychological Associationwww.apastyle.org

Guidelines on citing Internet sources can be foundat: www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/citex.html

PlagiarismJust as in the UK, academic honesty is taken veryseriously in the US. The use of another person’sviews, words, graphics or ideas, when notattributed to their original source, is classified asplagiarism. Consequences of being found guilty ofplagiarism will vary from department todepartment or university to university, but willusually result in a student being given a formalwarning and failing a class. Some universities alsouse software detection tools to scan an essay forplagiarism and repeated plagiarism may result inyour academic programme being terminated. Ifyou are in doubt about how to cite references,consult the resources mentioned above andalways check with your professors in advance toavoid any problems.

LibrariesWhen you register at your host university, youshould be given full access to the resourcesavailable at your university library. Libraries in theUS tend to be very well stocked, with many booksavailable digitally too, so you should find that mostof the books you need will be available at youruniversity library.

Your library will also carry an extensive range ofAmerican newspapers and journals, so makegood use of these. The Sunday editions of themajor city newspapers (for example The New YorkTimes and the Los Angeles Times) also carryseparate travel sections, which can be very useful.Should you want to, you may also find copies ofEnglish newspapers there too, such as The Times.

Photocopying is usually available in universitylibraries (and in other locations such as in campusshops) and photocopying stores are much moreabundant than in the UK, as well as being verycheap. Some campuses even provide freephotocopying or printing.

BooksThere should be a bookshop at your hostuniversity that will stock all the specified books foryour course(s). These will be grouped togetherand can be usually identified by the class numberand the tutor’s name. As books are expensive inthe US, you may want to look out for secondhandcopies and, where possible, search out otherbookshops in the area. There is usually a muchlarger secondhand market in operation than in theUK and students will sell their books on a muchlarger scale. However, in many cases thesecondhand discount is relatively small. As thereading of specified pages of certain keytextbooks is likely to be a regular feature of day-to-day work, you may want to look into ways ofminimising book costs, perhaps by sharing bookspurchased with other (international) students oncampus. You will probably not be able to rely onthe university/college library for key textbooks,although it will have ample secondary readingmaterial. Ask your host university/collegebookshop about its policy on book returns etc –they may be able to help you sell your book afteryou have finished with it.

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CurrencyThe currency in America is the US dollar ($).Dollars come in $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100bills (larger bills are also available but are muchless common). Unlike UK paper currency, USdollar bills are mostly the same size and colourwhatever their denomination so it is important tocheck which bills you are giving or receivingduring transactions. The only exception is the new$20 bill, which is now available in a peach andblue colour (as opposed to the usual green andwhite).

Each dollar (or ‘buck’ for slang) is divided into 100cents. Coins are available in denominations of onecent (usually called a ‘penny’), five cents (a‘nickel’), ten cents (a ‘dime’) and 25 cents (a‘quarter’). Fifty-cent and dollar coins are alsoavailable but are not as common. It is useful toalways keep a few quarters on you, as these areused for buses, phones and vending machinesetc.

BudgetingYou will no doubt be very excited by the prospectof spending a year in the US – there are so manythings to do and see! However, even with all thisexcitement, it is important to remember that one ofthe keys to a stress-free experience abroad is toknow your budget and to keep to it. Make a list ofall of the money you will have coming in (studentloans, money from parents for example) and whatyou expect to pay in outgoings. It is important notjust to think about term-time expenses, but whatcosts you will incur during the holidays, when youmay have to move out of your hall of residence ormay want to travel. However, currency valuationscan change quickly so don’t base your budgetingsolely on a favourable exchange rate.

Finances, traveller’s cheques and openingbank accountsJust as in the UK, it is advisable not to carry largeamounts of cash with you. When planning yourarrival in the US, it may be a good idea to takesome US dollar traveller’s cheques with you tocover your first couple of weeks’ expenses beforeyou have opened a bank account. AmericanExpress US dollar traveller’s cheques arerecommended as they can be used as easily ascash to pay for goods and services throughout theUS. Acceptors almost always ask for a driver’slicence or passport, so ensure you haveappropriate ID with you if you plan to use yourtraveller’s cheques. When ordering your traveller’scheques, be careful to ensure that your UK bank isaware that you are a student, as some banks willwaive charges for students.

Most students find it more useful to open anaccount in the United States for the duration oftheir stay than to solely rely on UK credit cardsand bank accounts. As soon as you know whichuniversity you will be going to, check on theirwebsite to find out which banks are on, or close to,the campus or where you will be living.

Some US banks have branches in London so youmight even be able to open your account beforeyou leave the UK. Remember that if you plan totravel within the country, the US banking system isvery different to our own. Banks formerly operatedstrictly on a state-by-state basis, not nationally, likebanks in the UK. However, many banks have takenadvantage of changes in the law and arebecoming regional by doing business in severalstates. This may make a difference to you if youtravel, so you may want to ask about a bank’sreach across the US before doing business with it.

Let your UK bank know where you are going andwhich bank has been recommended to you – itcan tell you if it has a connection with the bank inthe US and provide you with a letter ofintroduction if required (there may be a charge). Itwill also discuss the best ways of getting to yourloan or support monies whilst you are away andadvise on the possible use of your UK Bankaccount ATM card in machines in the UnitedStates. While more American ATMs accept Britishcards, you cannot rely on this. You shouldremember that many banks charge a fee on everycash withdrawal and that you may even be doublecharged if you use a UK card (once by the USbank, and once by your UK bank). For this reason,most students transfer money from the UK to theirUS bank accounts and then use a US bank cardto withdraw money for day-to-day items.

Please note that you should not write cheques onyour UK Bank account in the US. Bank-to-banktransfers are the quickest and safest method ofgetting money to you. Make sure you have a fewblank authorities from your bank ready for whenyou need them and remember to allow plenty oftime to arrange the transfer. (Costs vary – planonly to do, say, once a term.)

It may be useful to arrange with your UK bank toleave a pre-printed paying-in book with yourparents or guardians so they can pay in grantcheques or holiday pay cheques etc while you areaway. Recent changes to the UK clearing systemmay make it more difficult for them to pay in anymoney to your account without a paying-in book.

Lastly, there are very strict rules regardingoverdrafts in the US, and you should be verycareful not to overdraw your US bank accountwithout prior agreement. In the US, it is a criminaloffence to bounce a cheque or to spend fundsthat are not already cleared in your account.

Bank cardsAs you will find, the United States is the land ofthe credit card, so having a credit card comes invery handy. You are unlikely to be able to obtain acredit card in the US in view of your lack of credithistory there, but cards issued in the UK arewidely accepted in the US. Visa and MasterCardare the most commonly accepted and some banksoffer a combined card account, which gives thebenefit of two separate cards but just one pre-setlimit to use as you wish between the cards, withone combined monthly statement.

If you don’t already have a card, shop around forthe best deal, as cards can be subject to annualcharges and interest can vary as well. If you dowish to obtain a credit card, it is advisable toapply well in advance, as the credit cardcompanies become very busy over the summermonths.

Internet bankingTo make it easier for you to keep track of your UKbank accounts while you are in the US, it is a goodidea to set up Internet banking before you leavethe UK. This might also be a good idea if you areusing a UK-based credit card while you are in theUS and want to pay off your monthly credit cardbill from an existing UK current account. Settingup Internet banking is a quick and easy process. Ifyou are in any doubt about how to do this, checkyour bank’s website or talk to your local branch forfurther information.

Living costsYour host university should provide you withinformation about approximate living costs so thatyou are able to adequately budget for your yearabroad. Don’t forget that part of your visaapplication entails providing documentaryevidence that you have adequate funds to supportyourself while you are in the US. While the livingcosts will vary from university to university (pleasecheck with the International Office if you areunsure what the costs are for your university), theaverage amount currently required for a year inAmerica is $15,000.

University of Kent tuition feesDuring your year abroad, you will not be chargedtuition fees by your host university or college, asper the terms of our agreement with the partnerinstitution. You will however be required to paytuition fees to the University of Kent while you areon your year abroad. For the period of yourexchange year, you will be charged a reducedtuition fee rate by the University of Kent; this isnormally 50% of home tuition fee. For 2010/11, thecharge will be £1,645.

Money matters

The Year Abroad (US)Money matters

11

Student Loan CompaniesMost international universities/colleges commencetheir academic session in late August or earlySeptember, and accounts for accommodation, etc,are required to be paid at the time of registration.Thus, the co-operation of Student Finance England(SFE)/your Local Authority (LA) is essential if thefirst instalment of your student loan is to be paidbefore you leave for the United States.

You should call SFE/your LA Office during theEaster vacation. SFE/most LA’s will co-operate, butrequire the early completion and return to them oftheir financial assessment forms.

Remember to tell your LA/SFE that if you will havesemesters rather than terms and ensure that theyhave the correct dates for your academic year atyour host university. The Student Loans Company(SLC) will arrange to pay the first instalment ofyour loan via BACS about 25 days before the dayon which the course starts. Note that the SLC willalso pay subsequent instalments of your loan byBACS. You should contact them to ascertain whenthese instalments will become payable and toresolve any problems that the timing of thosepayments might cause for you.

The Department for Business, Innovation, andSkills (BIS) have told us that the maximum loanavailable to students studying a year abroad in theacademic year 2010/11 will be £5,895.

If you have a student loan we will be happy towrite to Student Finance England/your LocalAuthority (LA) to let them know that you will bestudying abroad next year. To do this we will needyour ART ID/Customer Reference Number andyour Local Authority/SFE.

Access to Learning FundThe Government provides funds to universities toenable them to assist home undergraduatestudents who are in financial difficulty – these areknown as the Access to Learning Funds.

Undergraduate students who have taken out theirfull means-tested entitlement of their maintenanceloan and have received the first instalment but findthemselves in financial difficulty can apply to theAccess to Learning Fund for a grant. Students canapply for a full year assessment (paid termly)and/or a non-standard award for exceptional costsand emergency situations.

Guidance Notes and Information explaining theapplication procedures at Kent and the criteriaused in considering applications can be obtainedfrom the Finance Office's websitehttp://www.kent.ac.uk/finance-student/index.html

Application Forms for each new academic yearshould be available from the beginning ofSeptember.

Start the application process by speaking to oneof our Student Advisers at:Kent UnionMandela Buildingadvice@kent.ac.uk01227 824824

The Year Abroad (US)Money matters

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Your physical and mental well-beingis of the utmost importance, as well asbeing a basic pre-requisite of asuccessful and happy period abroad.We advise students to be awarehowever, that existing physical orpsychological illnesses can becomeserious under the stresses of life whilestudying abroad so it is important tocarefully evaluate your health beforegoing abroad and to consult a mentalhealth professional, if necessary. Thisdoes not mean that students with anyphysical or mental conditions cannotor should not study abroad, but it doesmean that it is important to planahead to ensure that adequate supportis in place should you need it.

Sports facilities on campusThe good news for you is that sports facilities atUS universities are extensive and much morevaried than in the UK. There will almost certainlybe a swimming pool on campus and universitygymnasia are usually modern and extremely well-equipped. A single fee for the use of sportsfacilities is commonplace and is often a soundinvestment. Many students at US universities willfrequently use their gyms and many students joinsports clubs and teams. Sport is taken moreseriously at American universities, with someuniversities even having their own stadiums!

Health regulations and vaccinationsThe US may sometimes require that visa holdersarriving in the US should provide documentaryproof of any vaccinations that they have received.Smallpox vaccination is currently not required forUK residents entering the US unless they havebeen in a smallpox-reporting country within 14days of arrival in the US or in the unlikely eventthat they have been exposed to smallpox duringtheir journey.

Although no other immunisations are required onentry to the US for UK residents under normalconditions, local state regulations may well requireyou to provide written evidence of certainvaccinations. You should check the requirementsof your host university before leaving and obtainthe required documentation from your doctorbefore leaving the UK. Some universities requireconfirmation that you have received all relevantvaccinations before allowing you to register.

Take additional photocopies of the originaldocuments with you, as you may be required togive your documents to the US authorities. Unlessyou can provide the relevant documentation youwill have to have (and pay for) duplicatevaccinations before registration to be acceptedinto your classes. Keep an eye on the US Embassywebsite over the summer to check whether thisvaccination advice changes.

check-up in the UK before you leave, so that anynecessary treatment is obtained under the NHSprior to departure – this could save you moneyand worry at a later date!

MedicationIf you are on any medication (including thecontraceptive pill), you should consult your doctorin plenty of time before you leave for the US. Thisis a good opportunity for you to discuss yourhealthcare with your doctor before leaving the UK,and you should also use that opportunity to checkif you can take an academic year’s supply of themedication you will need while you are abroad.Medication is more expensive in the US, sopurchasing your medication in the UK will againsave you money at a later date.

Declaration of illnesses, disabilities orallergiesIt is advisable for you to declare any illnesses,disabilities or allergies you have before you arriveat your host university so that reasonableadjustments can be made to accommodate you.‘Illnesses’ in this context may also includepsychological illnesses, such as mental healthissues and ‘disabilities’ may include conditionssuch as dyslexia. Please be assured that yourpersonal information will be treated in the strictestconfidence and shared only with the staff whoneed to be aware of such information. It is in yourown interest to make your university aware of thisinformation so that they have this information onfile for emergencies or to provide you with all ofthe support you need. If you would like to clarifyanything about this, please contact theInternational Office in the first instance.

Counselling and mental illnessWhile your year abroad should be a time ofexcitement and personal fulfilment, it can also bea time of stress when some students may struggleto cope with some of the cultural differencesbetween the UK and the US. For this reason,existing mental illnesses, including those thatseem to be under control in the UK, can becomeexasperated during the period of study abroad soit is important to anticipate any problems in orderto try to prevent them from occurring or tominimise their impact on your daily life. As notedabove, it is advisable to declare such conditions toyour host university so that they are aware of anyfurther help you might need.

In addition to making this declaration, it is also agood idea to see your doctor or counsellor beforeyou leave the UK to plan how you might cope withyour year in the US. If you do require counsellingin the US, all our partner universities havesubstantial counselling provision so please do nothesitate to take advantage of this at the earliestopportunity. The University of Kent (including theInternational Office and your home department) isalso available for assistance so feel free to contactus (see the Contacts section on p23) if you requireassistance or if you feel that you need to talk tosomeone from the UK.

Sport and healthcare

The Year Abroad (US)Sport and healthcare

University facilitiesYour host university should have some form ofmedical provision on campus in case you urgentlyneed to see a doctor. You will be informed of all ofthe relevant facilities during your host universityorientation. If you are in any doubt about what isavailable on-campus (including what is available inemergencies), please contact your internationalstudent adviser.

InsuranceAll year abroad students will be covered by theUniversity of Kent’s insurance policy. You need tocomplete the online travel notification form (whichyou can access via the weblink below) beforeleaving the UK. You will be covered for a holidayperiod of no more than one week in addition toyour course-related activities. If you plan to travelmore extensively, you will need to take out yourown insurance policy. For further details, pleasesee: www.kent.ac.uk/finance-staff/services/insurance/studentfieldwork

It is important to have adequate insurancecoverage during your year abroad. While obtainingbaggage and personal insurance may seemobvious for anyone undertaking a transatlanticjourney, you should also obtain medical/healthinsurance, as there is no widespread equivalent ofthe NHS in the US.

Baggage and personal insuranceThis cover is not refundable by your LEA, and youshould make separate arrangements for this,which should be paid for from your student loan orpersonal funds. It is a good idea to think about thevaluables you will be taking with you (laptop,camera, mobile phone for example) and alsoconsider how much travel you will be doing in theUS while you are there.

Medical insuranceThis cover will usually be reimbursed by your LEAon production of a receipt for the premium (checkwith your LEA in advance if this is the case). It iscompulsory to take out medical insurance whenyou are an exchange student in the US (it coverson-campus treatment and hospitalisation, ifnecessary, as well as such treatment if requiredoff-campus, for example when you are travelling).Most universities/colleges require you to take outtheir campus medical plan and these are notcheap (often in the region of $500-$2,000 peryear). Your host university will provide a receipt,which should be forwarded to your LEA in orderfor you to claim a refund if possible. In certaincases it may be possible to take out medicalinsurance in the UK before you leave in lieu of thehost university insurance but check with theInternational Office before leaving, if this ispermitted by your host university.

Dental careDental care is not usually covered by universityhealth insurance plans and dental treatment in theUS can be expensive. Check any insurance policyyou have and enquire separately at theuniversity/college on your arrival if there is any on-campus provision. You are advised to have a full

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Who can work in the US?Students on F-1 or J-1 visas are eligible to workpart-time in the US but you should not rely onworking in the US in order to support yourselffinancially – you must have sufficient funds tosupport yourself without working in the US. As youwill have many more academic contact hours inthe US (typically 20 hours of classes per week)you may find that you don’t have the time to workanyway. If, however, you do want to work, pleasenote that students on F-1 visas are only eligible towork on campus and cannot work off campus. J-1visa holders have the option to work on or offcampus.

Social Security numbersWhile it is not mandatory to obtain a social securitynumber (SSN) during your stay in the US, it can bequite useful to have one while you are there. Theexception to this would be if you plan to work ordrive in the US – in both instances you would needto obtain an SSN.

The Social Security Administration (SSA), adepartment of the US Government, is the bodyresponsible for issuing SSNs. Contact yourinternational student adviser for information abouthow to apply to your nearest SSA office for yourSSN. Please note that an SSN cannot be issuedfor non-work purposes (for example, for opening abank account or renting an apartment).

You have to check in advance with yourinternational student adviser because when a non-US citizen requests a Social Security number, theSSA must verify the applicant’s immigrationdocumentation and they do this with the hostuniversity and the Department of HomelandSecurity. Be prepared for a wait though: the SSAverifies this information through an online processwhere possible but if you have just arrived in theUS your data will not be in electronic form, manualverification will be necessary and the subsequentissuing of the SSN might be delayed by severalweeks or months.

Working in the US

The Year Abroad (US)Working in the US

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National holidaysThere are several national (bank) holidays in theUS. Some are the same as in the UK but some aredifferent. As the US does not have an officialnational religion, schools and universities nametheir holidays after the seasons (winter and springbreak for example, rather than Christmas or Easterholidays). For this reason, the winter (Christmas)break may be much shorter than you would beused to in the UK. For most Americans,Thanksgiving is a much bigger affair and marksthe beginning of the festive period. Be preparedfor the holidays – and enjoy them! The mostgeneral are:

January 1 New Year’s DayJanuary Martin Luther King Jr

DayFebruary, third Monday Presidents’ DayMarch/April Good Friday and

Easter MondayMay, last Monday Memorial Day (except

Alabama, Mississippiand South Carolina)

July 4 Independence DaySeptember, first Monday Labor DayOctober, second Monday Columbus Day (except

South Carolina andsome other states)

November 11 Veterans’ DayNovember, penultimateThursday ThanksgivingDecember 25 Christmas Day

Check your host university’s schedule for specificdetails – especially for when the university/collegeis closed and teaching is suspended. Someuniversities may be open on certain nationalholidays (Presidents’ Day, Columbus Day,Veterans’ Day) and remain closed on some non-national holidays (some Jewish holidays, SpringBreak, Easter and the Day after Thanksgiving forexample).

Time zonesDue to the vast size of the US, which is over 3,000miles wide, there are several time zones in placeacross the country. The country (excluding Alaskaand Hawaii) is divided into four time zones: Pacific,Mountain, Central and Eastern. Each zone is onehour apart. When it is 20:00 in Los Angeles, it is21:00 in Denver, 22:00 in Chicago and 23:00 inNew York. If you are unsure which time zone a cityis in, you will find the time zones listed in your localtelephone directory.

Telephones and making callsMost students nowadays have their own mobile(‘cell’) phones. It is fairly easy to purchase aphone from stores in shopping malls etc, andsome deals may even be available on campus. Ifyou already have a mobile phone, it may bepossible just to purchase a US SIM card and thensign up for an American call plan once you arrive.Before purchasing a phone or call plan though,check, as you would in the UK, what would be thebest deal for you depending on whether you willbe using that phone mainly for local, national orinternational calls.

Note: Cell phone numbers in the US are givenlocal area codes rather than specific mobile codes(for example, this is the equivalent of mobilephones in Canterbury beginning with the code01227 rather than the 07*** number that identifiesall mobile phones in the UK).

Pay phones are also available in halls of residenceand on campus. If you are calling from a publicphone, it may be advisable to purchase callingcards for international calls to reduce costs.Calling cards are similar to pay-as-you-go options,where you purchase a certain number of callminutes in advance and then top-up once you runout of credit.

To make a phone call from a public pay phone,you will need to use US coins (nickels, dimes orquarters). Tokens are not accepted but it is nowpossible to use pre-paid calling cards and thesecan be bought in many locations: grocery stores,the post office, convenience stores, etc. Callsmade with pre-paid calling cards, toll-free calls,collect calls, or calls charged to a credit card donot require any coins.

Local callsListen for a dial tone and then deposit your coins(the amount will be shown on the coin box), thendial the seven-digit telephone number.

Long-distance callsListen for a dial tone and then dial the area codeand telephone number. At the appropriate time theoperator will tell you how much money to depositfor that call. Insert the requested coins and thenredial the three-digit area code and the seven-digittelephone number.

Life in the US

The Year Abroad (US)Life in the US

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International callsListen for a dial tone and then dial the internationalaccess code ‘011’. Next dial the country code (‘44’in the case of the UK), then the city code and thelocal number omitting the first ‘0’. If you wanted tocall the International Office at the University ofKent for example, you would dial 011 44 1227827994. When you have finished dialling thecomplete number, the operator will tell you howmuch money to deposit. Most pay phones haveinstructions on them (in English and Spanish). Ifyou have any problems or questions, you cansimply dial ‘0 ‘and speak to an operator.

Making calls if you have no cash or cardsIn an emergency, it is possible to make reversecharge calls both locally and internationally. If youare in the US and need to make a reverse chargecall, dial 0 for the operator, and then ask to make acollect call. The same principle as reverse chargecalls in the UK will apply, in that you will be able tomake the call if the other person agrees to bearthe cost of the phone call.

Last callerIf you want to check who last called you, theequivalent of the UK’s ‘1471’ facility is known as‘Star 69’ in the US. This means that you would dialthe star button (*) followed by ‘69’ to retrieve thenumber of your last caller – this service isavailable on landline telephones.

Voltage and electrical appliancesThe voltage in the US is 110 volts AC. Check anyappliances that you might want to take (forexample, travelling irons, hairdryers orstraighteners) to see if they have an alternativevoltage – sometimes these appliances have aninternal switch so that they can be used in 110 voltcountries. All plugs in the US are two-pronged soan international plug or adaptor might be of use –ask at electrical shops before you go.

Legal mattersWhile you are in the US, you are subject to thelaws of that country. Some laws in the UnitedStates may be quite different from laws in the UK,and laws within the US will also differ from state tostate too. Speed limits are more strictly and widelyenforced so please do not take any chances.

If you are arrested, the law states that the policemust read you your rights and must allow you tomake at least one telephone call. You also havethe right to consult a lawyer before making anystatement to the police. If you find yourself introuble with the police, or with any other kind oflegal problem, contact the international studentadviser at your host university in the first instance– they will often be best placed to initially adviseyou and can also contact your family and/or theUniversity of Kent if you request it. You might alsoneed to inform the British Consulate (see theContacts section on p23). They can also adviseyou on your legal rights.

It should go without saying, but try to avoid gettinginto any trouble with the police if you can. Yourinternational student adviser should be able toprovide you with information about laws that areparticularly stringent within your host state. It isalso worth familiarising yourself with laws relatingto legal drinking ages, driving laws and the age ofconsent so that you can be sensitive to, andcomply with, local laws.

SmokingAs in the UK, the anti-smoking movement ismaking considerable advances in the US. InCalifornia and New York in particular, smoking isillegal in restaurants and bars; elsewhere in theUS, most restaurants have distinct non-smokingsections. Throughout the US, smoking is illegal onpublic transport and on flights. You are likely tofind that campus buildings are mostly smoke-freeareas, although this does not stop determinedsmokers from finding appropriate areas for a quickcigarette!

AlcoholWhile we appreciate that you have probably beenlegally able to drink alcohol in the UK for severalyears, unless you are 21 or over during your yearabroad, it is unlikely that you will be able to drinkwhile you are in the US. American universitiesoften do not serve alcohol in university bars orclubs for this reason. However, this does not meanthat you can’t have a good time. Americanuniversities are particularly good at planning andorganising events that are not alcohol-related (forexample, sports tournaments and clubs, interestgroups and so on) so you should have plenty ofactivities to keep you busy in your free time that donot revolve around alcohol!

If you are 21 or over and plan to buy alcohol in theUS, ensure that you have your ID card with you. Itis US policy to ask for ID from anyone who looksunder the age of 30, so don’t take it personally ifyou are asked for ID. Opening hours are, ingeneral, longer than in Britain. In some states’liquor’ stores are operated by the state.

Drinking laws do differ from state to state and,sometimes, from county to county. Enquire locallyon your arrival and note the variations whentravelling. Some states are still technically ‘dry’,which means that alcohol is not officially on sale inthat state at all.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendersupport and resourcesThe gay scene in America is extensive, although itis more apparent in major cities like San Franciscoand New York. In these cities, lesbian, gay,bisexual and transgender citizens enjoy a visibilitythat is almost unparalleled around the world.Almost every major US city will have recognisedgay-friendly districts too, although away fromcosmopolitan areas towards more traditional townsand cities, there can still be some tensions. Everyuniversity should have an internal LGBT studentsupport group for students and there are alsoexternal support or information networks such as:

The International Gay andLesbian Travel Association www.iglta.orgThe Advocate(a bi-monthly magazine) www.advocate.comThe Damron group www.damron.com

Publications such as the Men’s Travel Guide (alisting resources for gay men), the Women’sTraveler (which provides similar listings forlesbians) and the Damron City Guide (whichdetails gay-friendly accommodation andentertainment in major cities) should be availablefrom all good bookstores.

The Year Abroad (US)Life in the US

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New YorkDepartment of Economic DevelopmentOne Commerce PlazaAlbanyNY 12245T: 518 474 4116

PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Travel & Tourism OfficeRoom 453, Forum BuildingHarrisburgPA 17120T: 717 787 5453

South CarolinaSouth Carolina Tourism DivisionBox 71, Room 902ColumbiaSC 29202T: 803 734 0235

WisconsinWisconsin Department of Tourism201 West Washington Ave.PO Box 7976MadisonWI 53707T: 608 2662161

Public transportMost Americans prefer to use their own cars totravel short distances or to fly for longer ones, butUK students tend to also be happy to take thecoach or train when travelling around the US forshort or medium journeys. Public transport(coaches and trains) in the US can be slow, butthey are usually comfortable, reasonably pricedand provide a pleasant way to see more of thecountry.

Coach services in the US are operated byGreyhound (see www.greyhound.com) and USpassenger trains are operated by Amtrak (seewww.amtrak.com). Both offer good studentdiscounts so be sure to look into the optionsavailable.

Driving in the USIf you already possess a British driving licenceand wish to drive while you are in the US, youshould supplement this with an internationaldriving licence, which is valid for one year. Ask theAA for details (you do not have to be a member todo so). Note that it is usually not possible to rent a

Travel within the US

The Year Abroad (US)Travel within the US

There are lots of places to visit withinthe US so the difficulty for you will beshort-listing which sights to visitduring your time there! Do bear inmind the size of the country whenplanning your travels though –distances that look short on a map canequate to hours of travelling!

State tourist officesTourist information is readily available at statetourist offices. Below is a selection of state touristoffices that might be of use to you. A list ofworldwide tourist directory offices is also availableat www.towd.com

CaliforniaCalifornia Division of TourismPO Box 1499, Dept TIASacramentoCA 95812 1499T: 916 444 4429

District of ColumbiaWashington, DC Convention and Visitors Association1212 New York Ave, NW, Suite 600WashingtonDC 20005T: 202 789 7000

FloridaFlorida TourismPO Box 1100TallahasseeFL 32302 1100T: 850 488 5607

IndianaTourism and Film Development DivisionOne North Capitol, Suite 700IndianapolisIN 46204 2288T: 317 232 8860

Kansas1000 SW Jackson, Ste 100TopekaKS 66612 1354T: 785 296 2009

Maryland217 East Redwood St, 9th FloorBaltimoreMD 21202T: 410 767 3400

MassachusettsOffice of Travel and Tourism10 Park Plaza, Suite 4510BostonMA 02116T: 617 973 8500

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car unless you have passed your driving licencefor more than a year. Some states require you totake a driving test or even a written test of theHighway Code in order to obtain your new drivinglicence, so enquire on your arrival to establish thepolicy in your area.

Remember that most American cars are automatic.If you do intend to drive, purchase a copy of theAmerican Highway Code (published on a state-by-state basis). State speed limits vary but virtually allroads are posted for speed and major roads arepoliced with cars and/or cameras.

Hitch-hikingHitch-hiking is strongly discouraged for reasons ofpersonal safety. If it really is unavoidable to avoidhitch-hiking, ensure that you do it in groups (ofthree or four for example) so that you are nottravelling alone with strangers. However, ouradvice is simply not to hitch-hike – plan yourjourneys in advance so that you do not have toresort to this option.

Hotels and motelsWhether you stay in hotels or motels will usuallydepend upon your financial circumstances. Beforereaching your destination, contact the local statetourist board and ask for possible hotels or motelsin your price range. Large chains usually offerspecial deals too and your host university may be

able to provide you with further information aboutthis.

Hotels are generally based in city centres andprovide a more extensive range of amenities suchas restaurants and leisure facilities (for example,the Ramada or Sheraton chains). Motels tend tobe based near main roads and highways, and donot offer the same range of amenities as hotels(motel chains include, for example, Budget, DaysInn or Motel 6 which are more like the Ibis chain).

It may be possible to accommodate more than twopeople in a room for a relatively small increase inprice so enquire about this possibility if you arebudget-conscious and are travelling in a group.Rooms tend to be larger than in the UK anddouble rooms often contain two double beds. Aswith most expenses in the US, you will be chargedfor the room and then other taxes will be chargedon top.

Youth hostelsYouth hostels are a cheap alternative foraccommodation. Standards at many US youthhostels are high, and it is worth looking at hostelwebsites when choosing your accommodation.

American Youth Hostels (AYH)

This is a non-profit organisation dedicated tomaking travel possible for those on a budgetthrough its low-cost, self-service network ofhostels, and by offering a wide range of travelprogrammes. It is possible to use AYH as a walk-inservice, but advance reservations arerecommended during peak periods. Many hostelsaccept phone reservations, using a credit card toguarantee the first night’s fee. Call the hosteldirectly during open hours and have your creditcard number and expiration date to hand.

At busier hostels you’ll need to reserve at least 48hours in advance. For hostel phone numberscheck the US hostel directory. For furtherinformation, see www.hiayh.org or emailhiayh@hiayh.org

YMCA FacilitiesThe Y’s Way International is a central reservationsoffice for YMCA guest rooms in Manhattan andother participating YMCAs or budget facilities inthe United States, Europe, and Asia. The Y’s Wayprovides individual and group reservations foraccommodations, discount rates based onadvanced payment and ‘do it yourself’ citypackages for YMCA guest rooms in Manhattan,which include accommodation, breakfast and tourtickets. For further information seewww.ymcanyc.org.

The Year Abroad (US)Travel within the US

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Canada and MexicoMany students studying in the US also enjoyvisiting the US’s neighbours, such as Canada andMexico. While this can be fun, you are remindedthat taking even a short trip to these countriescounts as you officially leaving the US. In thesecircumstances, you must first arrange to have yourCertificate of Eligibility signed by the DesignatedSignatory Officer (DSO) on your host campus sothat you are given permission to re-enter the US. Ifyou do not do this, you may be prohibited fromgetting back into the US.

Returning home for the holidaysAs above, if you choose to return to the UK (or totravel to any country outside the US during youryear abroad), you must still ensure that yourCertificate of Eligibility has been signed by theDSO on your host campus before you leave, togrant you permission to re-enter the US. This isextremely important.

Travel outside the US

The Year Abroad (US)Travel outside the US

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Keeping in touch with the University of KentWhile we know that you will be very busy duringyour year abroad, it is very important to keep intouch with the University of Kent while you areaway. In particular, you must remember thefollowing:

Please email Hazel Lander (Welfare andExchanges Officer) at h.lander@kent.ac.uk assoon as you arrive in the US, to provide her withyour new phone number, address and contactinformation, together with a confirmation of theclasses you will be taking during your first quarteror semester. You must do this within a week ofarriving in the US.

Failure to return the above information will be inbreach of General Regulation 3 (ii) and is treatedvery seriously.

We require this information to ensure that you aresimultaneously registered at the University of Kentwhile you are away (which will have an impact onyour student loans and your academic standing),and also to be able to contact you in case ofemergencies.

Your contact detailsIt is very important that we have your contactdetails for the summer vacation and the YearAbroad, as we send out emails and formsthroughout the year. You will also be sent veryimportant information from other offices about finalyear accommodation, modules and other mattersby email or post.

CommunicationThe School and the International Office will contactyou in the first instance by email (at your Kentaccount), and it is important that you let us know ifit is difficult for you to access a PC or the Internetat least once a week.

There are two approaches to accessing your Kentemail:• Use the University’s webmail service, whichallows you to access your Kent email addressfrom abroad

• Have your email forwarded to another emailaddress. This can only be done on a PC atKent: contact the Student helpdesk if you needassistance.

Important note:Keep the number of emails stored in your Kentaccount to a minimum, because going over quotamay prevent you from sending, receiving ordeleting emails. Delete unwanted emails andcheck that you have none stored in your deleteditems folder.

If you do have problems with your Kent emailaddress, contact the Student helpdesk forassistance:

Student helpdeskT: +44 (0)1227 824999E: helpdesk@kent.ac.ukOr complete the online form atwww.kent.ac.uk/itservices/forms/query/query.html

Internet servicesYou may find that access to PCs and/or the Internetis widely available at your university in the US

Registering to vote as an overseas studentIf you wish to exercise your right to vote while youare overseas, you should contact your localcouncil before you leave the UK to request apostal ballot for any upcoming elections orreferenda. This is a simple and straightforwardprocess that should not take long to organise.

You are advised to do this prior to departurethough as there may be voting registrationdeadlines that come up while you are abroad so itis easier to do it in the summer before you leavethe UK.

Life back home

The Year Abroad (US)Life back home

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Just as you have to undertakepreparations for your outboundjourney, there is also some planningthat you need to undertake as youprepare to return home. You mayreceive additional letters and memosconcerning your year in the UnitedStates so please check your Kentemail addresses frequently, as some ofour correspondence with you will be toremind you about various upcomingimportant deadlines.

Clearing debtsBefore you leave your host university, ensure thatyou have cleared all outstanding debts. Even ifyou don’t think you owe any outstanding money toyour university, complete a quick check before youleave in case you have incurred any debts ofwhich you might not be aware. The most obviousitems to check would be your library (anyborrowing fines for example), your accommodation(any outstanding rent or accommodation services)and your insurance (for your healthcare). If yourhost university believes that you owe any funds tothem, they will not release your transcript to usuntil your account has been settled and there isnothing that we can do to intervene on this, as it iswould be a private matter between you and yourhost university. Completing the quick check shouldalso give you peace of mind that your transcriptwill be sent to us in a timely manner.

Registering for classes at the University ofKentIt is vital that you frequently check your Kent emailaddresses while you are on your year abroad, aswe will be sending you important informationthroughout the year. One such example is that youwill be required to select your modules for 2011/12just after Christmas (which is the same deadlineas for students back in the UK) and students whofail to meet this deadline will inevitably have muchless choice in the availability of modules.

Accommodation at the University of KentThe University can offer rooms in private sectorshared housing off-campus.

The University has head-leased a number of goodquality properties from a reputable local landlord.All of these properties are within easy reach of thecampus and the accommodation costs will includeall utilities and broadband internet access. Theavailable houses have three, four, five or sixbedrooms and are located on the north side ofCanterbury near the university. We regret it is notpossible to arrange viewings of individualproperties in advance of your arrival or to choosethe location of your property.

The cost of the accommodation is exactly thesame as the Landlord/Agent is offering to otherstudents. No extra fees are being added by theAccommodation office or University for arrangingthis accommodation. Council Tax exemption willbe arranged by the University and the landlord.

When you apply you will have the opportunity toadvise us of any preferences and friends withwhom you may wish to share. At the end of theapplication process, an advance payment of £300will be required by 31 March 2011 to secure theaccommodation. Please note that all returningstudents are required to make an advancepayment to secure a room (not just year abroadstudents).

You may apply at the link below.http://kenthospitality.kent.ac.uk/myaccommodation/

Important: To complete your application it is alsoessential to make an advance payment of £300before Tuesday 31 March 2011.

Applications from students with an outstandingdebt at the University may be cancelled and anyadvance payment made may be retained andused towards settlement of any outstandingstudent account balance.

Room allocations will be made in July/August2011. At this time an email will be sent to youruniversity email address. You will then be able toview and accept the offer of accommodationonline.

Although we cannot guarantee to offer specificrooms, we will try to meet preferences whereverpossible, including requests to share with friends ifyou have supplied their full name and student IDnumber on your application and they have alsobeen offered a room.

The Accommodation will be available for you tomove in to and occupy from 1 September 2011until 30 June 2012. The cost of thisaccommodation for the current year is equivalentto just under £92 per week which includes the costof all utilities and broadband internet. We expectthere will be a small increase for the comingacademic year.

There is no obligation to take up this offer. If youwould prefer to find your own off-campusaccommodation, you are welcome to do so. Theoff-campus housing pages give a lot of usefulinformation at www.kent.ac.uk/hospitality/staff-student/accommodation/offcampus/index.htm thisincludes the new interactive housing list.

Preparing to return home

The Year Abroad (US)Preparing to return home

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Travel guides for the USThere are many useful guides to the US. Somegood standard works include:

The Rough Guide to the USALet’s Go USA (Harrap)Penguin USAFodor’s Essential USALonely Planet: USA

Michelin publish some individual guides toparticular areas (for example, to New York or NewEngland). There are also other series of guidespublished in the United States (Mobil, for example)as well as very good maps.

Once you are in the US you can obtain informationfrom city or state tourist offices, foreign studentoffices and, if you are travelling, tourist officesplaced on (or near) State lines along inter-statehighways. These can also be very useful in tellingyou about cheap accommodation or any specialoffers available in the state. In the South (inMississippi or Louisiana, for example) they will alsogive you a free drink!

Other resources

The Year Abroad (US)Other resources

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How do I apply for a student loan?If you wish to apply for a student loan for the firsttime, it is best to apply before the end of June forthe next academic year. In the first instance, youmust apply to your LEA who will assess youreligibility. Applications must be made within ninemonths of the first day of your course for fundingin the academic year.

Can I get an emergency short-term loan?There are often emergency loans available forstudents who have been assessed by their LEA aseligible for a student loan, but whose firstinstalment has been delayed. The procedure notesand application form can be obtained from theFinance Office’s website (seewww.kent.ac.uk/financial-aid). Students shouldsend completed application forms and supportingdocumentation from their LEA directly to theStudent Loans & Access Hardship Office (loans-office@kent.ac.uk).

What tuition fees will I need to pay?Under the exchange agreement you are not liablefor tuition fees at your US university, as we havearrangements with all our US exchange partnersthat they should not present fee accounts to Kentstudents on exchange in the US. Kent will collectyour tuition fees from your LEA (unless you areself-financed, in which case you will be invoiceddirect). Tuition fees for the year abroad are usuallyaround 50% of the normal home tuition fee. For2010/11, the tuition fee will be £1,645.

Do you have any advice about travelling withinthe US?You will probably want to visit as many cities aspossible during your year abroad and certainly tovisit the cities near your campus. However, youshould take some basic precautions. All cities willhave areas that as a tourist you should avoid, andthere will be areas that can be dangerous at nightif you simply wander into them. Ask Americanfriends about the areas you intend to visit, buy amap and get a sense of the city before you arrive.If you intend to arrive by bus, find out where thebus station is and check possible times of arrival.If you have contacts in a city, this is all the better.Don’t carry too much cash around, and keep aneye on your documents. These are precautionsyou would take in any strange city. Be, as it were,‘streetwise’ and look as if you know what you aredoing.

What is the best way to travel within the US?This will depend on your circumstances. You maywant to get some sense of space, and of thevariety of landscapes and cultures, and you mayalso need to consider your budget.

Amtrak (trains) and many airlines offer specialtravel packages for foreign nationals similar toEurorail Passes. These must be purchased outsidethe United States, usually through a travel agent.Further information is available from STA Travel.Even after you arrive in the US, there will be manyreductions on Amtrak trains, Greyhound busesand on airlines for students, so ensure you identifyyourself as such to obtain the maximum discountavailable!

If you drive, enquire about the possibility of ‘drive-aways’ – cars that you transport from one city toanother for their owners – you receive a free ridefor providing this service (seewww.roadtripamerica.com/links/international.htmfor further information) so this can be a useful andcost-efficient way to get from A to B.

Most universities also have a ‘ride board’ in theirstudent centre, where students wanting andoffering rides to various destinations leavemessages on the ride board and can find othersto go with them or take them along. Students oftensplit the cost of the petrol and may also take turnsdriving.

German students are famous for buying a car inthe east, either at the beginning or the end of theirstudies and driving to the West at some point fortravel and then selling the car before they leave.

On arrival, will there be many expenses?This will vary, depending on your university/collegeand the area in which you will stay. However, youshould be prepared for some initial expenses, and,therefore, as already mentioned, you would beadvised to take enough money to take intoaccount general living expenses plus a number ofpossible charges at the point of registration.Please refer to the document already circulated toyou listing likely costs for each exchangeuniversity.

Before registration, or moving into any campusaccommodation, there might be intermediateaccommodation and food expenses. You mightalso wish to buy the books for your courses.Remember, however, the secondhand market andthe book return policy.

FAQs

The Year Abroad (US)FAQs

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University of Kent contacts

Hazel LanderWelfare and Exchanges OfficerInternational OfficeRoom 155The RegistryUniversity of KentCanterbury,Kent CT2 7NZT: +44 (0)1227 827994F: +44 (0)1227 823247E: h.lander@kent.ac.uk

Dr Karen JonesDirector of American StudiesSchool of HistoryRoom R E2.N1Rutherford CollegeT: +44 (0)1227 823406E: k.r.jones@kent.ac.uk

Dr David StirrupDirector of Year Abroad ProgrammesSchool of EnglishRoom RX NC40Rutherford College ExtensionT: +44 (0)1227 823440E: d.f.stirrup@kent.ac.uk

Dr Mattias FreyLecturer in Film StudiesJarman Building 2-26University of KentCanterburyKent CT2 7UGT: +44 (0)1227 827132E: m.j.frey@kent.ac.uk

Dr Gavin MountjoyYear Abroad Co-ordinatorSchool of Physical SciencesRoom Ingr 119Ingram BuildingT: +44 (0)1227 823228E: g.mountjoy@kent.ac.uk

Dr Niaz Ahmed WassanYear Abroad Co-ordinatorLecturer in Management ScienceRoom KBS Annex 4Kent Business SchoolT: +44 (0)1227 823921E: n.a.wassan@kent.ac.uk

Dr Angeliki Varakis-MartinYear Abroad CoordinatorDrama and Theatre StudiesRoom Jarman 2-43Jarman BuildingUniversity of KentCanterburyKent CT2 7UGT: +44 (0)1227 827551E: a.varakis@kent.ac.uk

Dr. Noreen von Cramon-TaubadelLecturer in Biological AnthropologySchool of Anthropology and Conservation168 Marlowe BuildingUniversity of KentCanterbury CT2 7NRT: +44 (0)1227 823937E: n.von-cramon@kent.ac.uk

Embassies

US Embassy, LondonConsular SectionGrosvenor SquareLondonT: 09055 444 546

US Consulate-General, BelfastDanesfort House223 Stranmillis RoadBelfast BT9 5GRNorthern IrelandT: +44 (0)28 9038 6100

Operator-assisted visa information lineT: 09055 444 546Mon-Fri: 8am-8pmSat: 10am-4pm

British Embassy3100 Massachusetts AvenueWashington DC 20008T: 202 588 7800For details of the nine additional British Consulatesor British Consulates-General in the US, pleasesee http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en

These Consulate offices are located throughoutthe US.

Emergency services in the US

For fire, police or ambulanceT: 911 (toll-free number)

Travel

STA Travel27 St Peters StreetCanterbury CT1 2BQT: (+44) 0871 468 0610F: (+44) 01227 453411E: canterbury@statravel.co.uk

Contact information

The Year Abroad (US)Other resources

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Notes

The Year Abroad (US)Notes

Finally, some advice from one of our past Kent US Year Abroad students:

“Students on the year abroad should forgetabout England and about Kent and fully immersethemselves in American life, and they shouldcontribute, draw from and appreciate theexperience to the full, right from the beginning,because come May, they’re not going to want toleave”.

We hope you will have a pleasant journey and an enjoyable time in the US. IfHazel Lander (Welfare and Exchanges Officer) is in the vicinity of your campusduring the academic year, she will arrange to meet you to find out how you aredoing. We wish you the best of luck with your year abroad!

See you next year!

Finally

University of KentThe Registry, Canterbury,Kent CT2 7NZT +44 (0)1227 827994E International-office@kent.ac.uk

www.kent.ac.uk

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