year abroad guide 2014-2015 - university of kent · for students on a european year abroad. title:...

The UK’s European university

YEAR ABROAD GUIDE2014-2015

For students on a European Year Abroad

CHECK LIST 3

Essential things to do before you leave campus

Complete application documents as required p11See your Academic Co-ordinator about courses p6Complete your Learning Agreement p6Organise accommodation p12Make contact with other students p11Leave your contact details with the Erasmus Team p11Complete Health QuestionnaireSign and return the Erasmus grant contract on time, if applicable p15Read this Guide carefully!

Essential things to do before you depart for your placement

Make sure that your Learning/Training Agreement is signed by the host before you arrive p6Ensure that you have a valid passport p11Obtain a visa, if necessary p11Obtain birth certificate and/or translation, if required p11Obtain lots of passport photos p11Make travel arrangements p13Make sure you know where to go and what to do on arrival p14Arrange overnight stay in a hostel/guest house, if necessary p14Make financial arrangements p15Pack the Year Abroad Guide! You will need it during your stay.

Essential things to do when you arrive

Get your arrival certificate signedSee the Academic Co-ordinator at the host university to update yourLearning Agreement p6Keep in touch! p20

“For anyone who has any doubts – just doit! I was so nervous about my year abroadbut it’s the best decision I ever made.”

Samantha BrowningEnglish and American Literature and French, Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3

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INTRODUCTION

Studying or working abroad is an exciting opportunity for students at theUniversity of Kent. Not only does it expand your academic horizons and exposeyou to other perspectives of academic thought, but it also provides you with awonderful cultural experience to live and study or work in another country.

Contents

Introduction 1

Before you go 3

Attending a university– what to expect 5

Attending a university– studying abroad 6

Assistantships and other workplacements 9

Attending two placements 10

Pre-departure procedures 11

Accommodation 12

Travel 13

Arrival 14

Financial matters 15

Insurance 17

Health and Welfare 18

Personal safety 19

Keeping in touch 20

Careers 21

Returning to Kent 22

Problem solving 23

Appendices 25Year Abroad RegulationsAcademic Co-ordinators at KentThe Year Abroad and ErasmusEuropean Credit Transfer SystemBritish ConsulateEmbassies in the UKUniversity of Kent contact details

This Guide is intended to give you general advice tohelp you prepare for your year abroad. It is anessential supplement to your own research and theinformation you will receive from your host institution,school or employer.

Please read this booklet in its entirety before leavingKent. If you have any further questions, please donot hesitate to contact the Erasmus Team who willdo their best to answer you in a timely manner.

The Erasmus Team is responsible for:• Information about and help with all organisationalaspects of the Year Abroad

• Liaison with partner universities • Support for students before and during the periodabroad

• Distribution of Erasmus grants to eligible students• Collection of Year Abroad marks

A visit to International Development’s InformationLibrary, which includes questionnaires written bystudents while abroad and files on each universityand country, should also play a part in yourpreparation.

Lastly we wish you the best of luck with yourplacement 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!

With best wishes

Janet Wilson-Sharp, Brechje Klok-White andFrançoise McKee Erasmus Team

International Development, The RegistryUniversity of Kent, CanterburyKent CT2 7NZ, UKT: + 44 (0)1227 827818 or 824042F: + 44 (0)1227 827115E: [email protected]/goabroad

www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

The University of Kent is pleased to acknowledgethe support of the European Commission under theErasmus+ programme for its Erasmus+ activities.

2 University of Kent / Year Abroad Guide 2014-2015

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BEFORE YOU GO

Your Year Abroad will be anunforgettable experience, which willbe made even more fulfilling if youprepare well before you leave. Themore you put into your year abroadthe more you are likely to get out of it!

On arrival you will need to learn new skills and to beready to adapt to the culture of your hostuniversity/placement and country. Bureaucraticprocedures will be different and you will beexpected to find information and organise things foryourself. Don’t expect administrative procedures andattitudes to be the same as those at Kent!

Be prepared• Ask yourself what you hope to get out of yourtime away.

• Find out about the country/region/town to whichyou will be going.

• As soon as possible, obtain the necessarydocuments listed in this guide.

• Go to any briefing sessions that may be arrangedfor you.

Resources• International Development Information Library –contains questionnaires from students andinformation about countries, host universities andassistantships.

• Other students – the Erasmus Team can help youcontact Kent students who are abroad or wereabroad last year as well as incoming studentsfrom the host universities.

• Year Abroad Guide – read it carefully and take itwith you.

• Academic Co-ordinators – the academicsresponsible for the exchanges (see page 26)

Remember…Studying or working abroad will be a very differentexperience from life at Kent and can be unsettling tobegin with. All students experience ‘Culture shock’to some extent and it can crop up unexpectedlyduring the year. Don’t feel let down or a failure if youdon’t feel at home immediately! Some studentsadapt very quickly, whereas others take months.

It’s a cliché but everyone is different: simply allowyourself time to adjust in your way and enjoy thedifferences!

If you have a serious problem, contact the ErasmusTeam at Kent as soon as possible. They will be ableto advise you on the best person to speak to abroador at Kent.


“This year has absolutely flownby. I have made some fantasticlifelong friends and studyinghere has really been a wonderful,cultural experience – I cannotbelieve my year abroad is nearlyover.”

Sarah PopplewellEnglish and German Law, Philipps-Universität Marburg


“I had one of the best years of mylife so far, I really grew as aperson, becoming a lot moreconfident and responsible formyself... if you’re interested ingaining new experiences, open tonew things, living abroad andgenerally having an amazingyear I definitely, definitelyrecommend it! You’ll gainexperiences, friends andmemories that will stay with youfor the rest of your life!”

Emma WelchBA in Social Anthropology with a year in the NetherlandsVU Amsterdam

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ATTENDING A UNIVERSITY – WHAT TO EXPECT

Our partner universities have been hand-picked by your schools to allow you tohave a useful and interesting academic experience. Some may be bigger andmore bureaucratic than Kent, others may be surprisingly laidback! In mostcases, the exchanges have been running for many years so the Erasmus Teamand your Academic Co-ordinator know the partner well and have good contactswith staff there.

university before the start of the academic year.Tandem programmes are also a great way of gettingto know people: exchange students are partneredwith local students so that both can improvelanguage skills.

Language coursesMany universities offer a pre-sessional or term-timelanguage course. Although these courses are notusually compulsory, they are a useful way to get intothe habit of studying in your language, as well asbeing a good revision and an opportunity to makefriends and start finding your way around. Mostcourses are free to Erasmus students but some mayhave a small administration fee. Course informationis usually sent with the registration packs in thesummer or is available online (see Programme ofStudy section).

If you are offered a course and would like toparticipate, make sure that you:• fill in any required forms• know the dates for the course and any obligatorytest prior to the start of the course

• have accommodation (particularly important forpre-sessional courses)

Places may be allocated on a first come, first servedbasis. If it takes place before the start of term, youshould make sure either that accommodation isprovided or that your room is available at that time. Insome cases, participants are awarded ECTS creditsfor successful completion of the course. If so, youmust ask your Academic Co-ordinator at Kentwhether these credits can be counted towards the60 ECTS credit total for the year.

The Erasmus Team will give you details during thesummer of useful administrative and academiccontacts there. Exchange students often getadditional help with procedures or have sightseeingtrips or parties arranged especially for them.

Don’t forget that adapting to the culture of studyingin another country is part of the experience of theperiod abroad! The first few weeks may be difficult,but this can be overcome with an open mind andpositive attitude. A few notes are given below to helpyou prepare for the differences:

Registration proceduresThese can seem complicated and frustrating,particularly as the systems may not be what you areused to at Kent. (Incoming exchange students toKent sometimes feel the same way!) Be prepared todevote time and energy to registration and don’t beafraid to ask local staff or students for help. Doparticipate in any orientation programmes offered bythe university because these will often include helpwith registration.

Style of teachingIn some countries, lecture halls will be overflowingand it may be necessary to arrive early to ensure aseat. The emphasis may be on learning andstudying texts rather than on putting forward yourown ideas. While some find this difficult to get usedto, the knowledge obtained can be put to excellentuse in adding depth to your work at Kent.

AssessmentAgain, procedures may not be the same as in theUK. Invigilation may be more relaxed and notificationof exam dates given at short notice. Manyuniversities, particularly in Italy, use oralexaminations with a panel of examiners as well as(or instead of) written examinations for manydifferent subjects, not just language modules. Somestudents appreciate this style of exam because lessemphasis may be placed on grammar and, ofcourse, spelling and writing style!

University staffExchange students will have an Academic Co-ordinator who can be contacted about academicproblems. He/she may be more accessible thanother tutors, who may not have office hours or anoffice in the university, and will be used to queries

from Erasmus students. Contacting class tutors isbest done by speaking to them after the class or byemailing to arrange an appointment.

The academic yearMost mainland European universities have a twosemester system with exams at the end of eachteaching period. A few universities have ‘blocks’ ofteaching with students taking one or two courses ineach block and then being assessed immediately.Term/semester dates will be made available by yourhost university either online or through an informationbooklet for exchange students. The Erasmus Teamhas details of approximate term dates for eachuniversity.

Social lifeThere is a greater distinction between study andsocialising at most partner universities than at Kent.Most students will socialise at bars and clubs in thecity where they are based and will keep theresidences as places to study and sleep. Thestudent questionnaires in the InternationalDevelopment library give lots of information aboutthe social life at each university, whether for allstudents or for exchange students in particular.Exchange students are often in the fortunate positionof having parties, events and trips arrangedespecially for them by the local International/ErasmusOffice or local Erasmus student network (ESN).

You have only to speak to students who havereturned from their year or to read thequestionnaires to know that a full and rewardingsocial life is there to be enjoyed once you havefound your feet and made contacts and friends.

OrientationMany universities offer orientation meetings andevents to help students to settle in. Orientationevents are highly recommended: some include toursand events and help is often given with registration.Most universities also provide language classes forexchange students either before or during theacademic year (see below).

Your host university may arrange mentoring forexchange students with local students, who maygive assistance with registration as well as being afriendly face in the first weeks of term. Informationabout mentoring is usually given by the host


“It’s a great experience and I’mreally enjoying it. There arethings that are very differentobviously but I wouldn’t swapmy time here.”

Matt TreartyMDrama, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

If you have any questions after reading thisinformation, please contact your Kent Academic co-ordinator or the Erasmus Team in InternationalDevelopment.

All Erasmus students must fill in a LearningAgreement and keep it updated throughout thestudy placement. The Learning Agreement is anobligatory academic contract between you, Kentand your host university. The European Commissionrequires all Erasmus students to get their LearningAgreement signed by both universities before thestart of the study placement and to keep it up-to-date in order to be eligible for the Erasmus grant.

Choosing coursesYou must meet with your Academic Co-ordinator todiscuss a provisional study programme and prepareyour Learning Agreement in the Spring or SummerTerm. You can find the list of Academic Co-ordinators(correct at the time of going to press) in Appendix II.

Before you go to see your co-ordinator, get as muchcourse information as you can from your hostuniversity’s website/documentation or from thetemplate Learning Agreements in InternationalDevelopment. Your co-ordinator at Kent will adviseyou about specific course requirements. Please notethat many universities publish their courseinformation much later than at Kent. In some cases,particularly in Spain and Italy, courses may not befinalised until shortly before the start of the

6

The Year Abroad is an integral part of your degree programme and as such youare expected to attend classes, complete the work and obtain credits and marks,as you are expected to do at Kent.

academic year! Therefore, the Learning Agreementis provisional until arrival when you will be able tomake changes.

CreditsYou should choose courses worth 30 ECTS persemester (60 ECTS in total). A few universities haveagreed with us a different total number of ECTSwhich your co-ordinator will discuss with you. If, atany stage, you think it will not be possible to get 30ECTS in total, please notify the co-ordinator and theErasmus Team.

Completing a Learning AgreementWhen you have chosen your courses, write themon your Learning Agreement and get it signed byyour Academic Co-ordinator and the Erasmus Team.You must do this before you leave Kent. Studentswho will split the year between two universitiesshould prepare two Learning Agreements.

When it has been signed by the Kent co-ordinators,you should send it to the host university forsignature, keeping a copy for your files. Please askthem to return the signed Agreement to you urgently.Do not leave this until the last minute! You must thensend an electronic or paper copy of the completedLearning Agreement to the Erasmus Team at Kent.This is essential in order for you to get the Erasmusgrant. If there is any delay/difficulty, you must notifythe Erasmus Team, [email protected].

If your host university expects you to fill in theirversion of the Learning Agreement, do so. It is notobligatory to fill in the Kent version as well. Theimportant things are that you have a complete,correct, signed Learning Agreement and that theErasmus Team has a copy of it.

Changing courses On arrival you may find that your agreed courses areno longer available or clash with other modules. Thisis not often a major problem but it can be timeconsuming to make changes. If you find yourself inthis situation, you should follow the host university’sprocedures for choosing new courses. (In many cases, the partner university allows severalweeks for students to attend lots of different coursesbefore deciding which ones they want to register!)

When you have decided, contact the Academic Co-ordinators for approval. Make sure that youamend your course registration – following the hostuniversity’s procedures – and then update yourLearning Agreement. Fill in the changes page ofyour Learning Agreement, get it signed by your hostco-ordinators and then return it by email, post or faxto Kent. You should repeat this process if you makechanges later in the year.

Course registrationAlthough the Learning Agreement is an obligatoryrequirement for Erasmus, it may not complete yourcourse registration. You must complete the hostuniversity’s process as well and register yourmodules with them.

You may find that the host university registered younot simply to a module but to a particular class andtutor as well. If you attend the right class but with thewrong tutor or do not register your modulescorrectly, it may be impossible to get your marks atthe end of the year.

University of Kent / Year Abroad Guide 2014-2015

ATTENDING A UNIVERSITY – STUDYING ABROAD

“The year abroad experience is very challenging but at the sametime fulfilling. Each obstacleserved to strengthen me as anindividual. I learnt a lot aboutmyself, I developed academicallyand even more so personally.”

Tiffani JeffreyPolitics and International Relations (French), IEP de Paris

7www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

Academic stressesThe beginning of the Year Abroad can be stressfuland it takes time to adapt to the new lifestyle andacademic differences. Some find that their marksare not what they have been used to or that they arestruggling to adjust to the new system. This is anormal part of the Year Abroad experience andusually students find that the marks improve in thesecond semester when they are feeling much moresettled and confident.

If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry! If you have specific concerns, contact your coursetutor or Academic Co-ordinator at the partneruniversity for advice. Try to get to know otherstudents in your class: they may be able to help youwith notes and understanding the local systems. Ifyou are very concerned about marks or settling in,notify your Academic Co-ordinator and the ErasmusTeam at Kent.

Disruption of studiesDo your best to undertake all the classes andassessment in order to achieve the required marksand credits. If your work/exams are adverselyaffected by strikes, ill health etc, it is essential thatyou notify your Academic Co-ordinator and theErasmus Team at Kent as soon as possible. In caseof prolonged or serious illness, please ensure thatyou get a medical certificate from the doctor/hospitalbecause it will be needed by your host universityand by Kent.

Marks and transcriptsBefore you leave the host university, check that youhave completed the necessary procedures to obtainyour marks. You should follow their procedures verycarefully and submit any required documentation(eg Scheine or Libretto). You must also request atranscript before your departure. Bear in mind that itis much easier to sort this out while you are still atthe partner university!

Students in Italy may be given a ‘Libretto’ whichmust be presented at the Erasmus Office at the hostuniversity at the end of the stay/exams so that aTranscript of Marks can be issued. The completedLibretto may be returned to you, in which case youshould bring it to the International Development atKent at the start of your final year. Students inGermany must prepare any required ‘Referat’ or‘Klausur’, in order to obtain a ‘Leistungsschein’ or‘benoteter Schein’ for each course. However,increasing numbers of universities are producing anECTS transcript rather than issuing Scheine.Students at Lausanne should request their marksfrom each tutor.

Submitting your transcriptIt is your responsibility to ensure that the ErasmusTeam at Kent has received your transcript by Week 2of your final year, whether from you or your hostuniversity. When the transcript has been received,you must make sure that all courses attended andthe marks and credits attached to them arerecorded on the transcript. The transcript shouldinclude the grade normally awarded by the localinstitution, the equivalent ECTS grades and theECTS credits.

It is your responsibility to ensure the transcript iscorrect. If you think a mark is wrong or a course ismissing, you must contact the relevant office at yourpartner university to request an amended transcript.You must notify the Erasmus Team at Kent about this.

QualificationsIn specific cases, where this has been previouslyagreed between Kent and certain partnerinstitutions, some students may be awarded aqualification from that university on successfulcompletion of the examinations.

Important note about failing coursesIf you find that you have failed one or two exams,please notify your Academic Co-ordinator at Kentand, if possible, re-sit the exam.

Please note that failing to complete all thework/assessment could result in a Fail mark for yourYear Abroad, unless there are grounds for aconcessions case. Students who fail to achieve therequired credits and marks without an adequatereason risk failing the Year Abroad and having torepay the full Erasmus grant.

“The teaching was great, with aremarkable competence for theEnglish Language. As were thefacilities, seminars and lecturesand all people concerned with mylearning around campus. (...)

A wonderful experience that Iwould strongly recommend, havemet some extraordinary peopleand had a great time living in aforeign city.”

Eliot McGowanClassics and Archaeological StudiesVrije Universiteit Amsterdam


It’s the best experience I’ve everhad so far and it’s only gettingbetter. Language skills haveimproved a lot and learning howto adapt in any givenenvironment. It’s the best way togrow as a person. (...)

It’s transformed me into a braveperson and has given me a lot ofconfidence.

Michalea AntoniouFrench and SpanishUniversité d’Avignon et des Pays de Vaucluse

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ASSISTANTSHIPS AND OTHER WORK PLACEMENTS

The International Development library has some general information onworking and living abroad. When you know your destination find out if Kenthas exchanges with universities in the vicinity; our partner university files oftencontain general information on that city/region.

Problems during the placementIf you have any difficulties or queries during the year which affect your ability to do your job, youmust speak to the staff member responsible for your placement at the school/company.

If you do not feel able to speak the staff memberresponsible for your placement, try speaking toanother colleague who you trust. Alternatively,assistants can contact the local assistantship office.The Erasmus Team and your School’s PlacementOfficer are also available to offer advice and support.

In the case of prolonged illness, you should obtain amedical certificate from the doctor/hospitalconcerned (See also page 18). You should alsonotify the Erasmus Team and your academic co-ordinator at Kent.

AssistantshipsAssistants will find that most information will comefrom the British Council and from interviews ormeetings held before the start of the year. It is highlyrecommended that you visit the Council’s website assoon as possible for information on practicalities aswell as reports from previous assistants: • www.britishcouncil.org/languageassistants• Essential teaching advice, downloadablematerials and a web forum are available at:www.teachingenglish.org.uk/language-assistant

If you have not already done so, speak to assistantswho have come back from the year abroad. They willoften be very willing to pass on advice or helpfulinformation or just have a chat about the year.Questionnaires completed by previous assistantsare available in the International Development library.

As soon as you are sent your school or localauthority’s contact details, contact them. The BritishCouncil website has advice on how to do this. Makesure that you are aware of, and arrive in time for, anyorientation meetings given by the local or nationalassistantship organisation. These meetings can benot only a helpful source of information, but also anopportunity to meet other assistants in your region.

Work placementsIf you are undertaking a work placement, you mustobtain school approval and get a contract/internshipagreement signed by your employer. If you do notalready have a signed contract, please contact theErasmus Team urgently.

You should contact your employer for informationabout the work involved and documents you mayneed. Find out as much as you can about your job,the local area and the company you will be workingfor, before you go. Make sure you know:• What is expected of you (eg tasks,responsibilities, confidentiality, behaviour anddress).

• What your hours of work will be and your holidayentitlement.

• Will the company help you to findaccommodation?

• What salary are they offering you, if any, andwhen will it be paid?

• Will you be expected to pay taxes or socialsecurity payments?

• Will the company’s insurance cover you at work?

Contact the Careers and Employability Service andyour School’s Placement Officer for more advice.

Essential documentsAll students undertaking a work placement orassistantship which is eligible for Erasmus mustcomplete an Erasmus Training Agreement. This is acontract between you, Kent and the school/employerand is an essential requirement of your grant. TheErasmus Team will send you a blank copy by emailduring the summer. You and your school/employermust sign the Training Agreement before theplacement starts. If it is impossible to do this, youmust notify the Erasmus Team to avoid jeopardisingyour Erasmus grant.

Work requirementsAll students are expected to fulfil the terms of theircontract and submit the work set by Kent. You willbe given details of the required academic work,usually an essay or project, by your School’sPlacement Officer.


10

ATTENDING TWOPLACEMENTS

If you split the year between twoplacements, remember to keep track ofany preparation you need to do for thesecond placement during the firstsemester. If your first placement iscoming to an end and you have notheard from the second placement for awhile, please contact them directlyand let the Erasmus Team know if youhave any concerns.

If you will be studying at a (different) university in thesecond semester, make sure that you follow anyinstructions they give for pre-registration, arrival etc.

Many universities offer language courses ororientation programmes just before or during thesecond semester so make sure you take these intoconsideration when planning your arrival.

DocumentationDon’t forget that you must return all the necessarydocumentation to the Erasmus Team for bothplacements. The Departure and Arrival certificatesare particularly important but it is easy to forgetthem in the rush of moving between placements.Make sure that you let the Erasmus Team know yournew address as soon as possible after arrival.

Work requirementsMake sure that you know the work requirements foreach placement, particularly if you will split the yearbetween a university placement and a workplacement. The Work Requirements information willbe published on Moodle.

Term dates and examsAlthough every effort has been made to avoid a termdate clash in the case of two university placements,you may find that the start of your secondplacement starts before the first placement’s examshave finished. If this is the case, find out if yourtutors would be willing to set you an alternativeassessment or allow you to sit the exams earlier. Thisis unfortunately not guaranteed as it is dependent onthe host university’s regulations and the goodwill ofyour tutors.

If it is not possible, you must then contact the secondsemester placement to find out if you can postponeyour arrival for a few days in order to complete yourexams. Notify your Academic Co-ordinator and theErasmus Team at Kent if neither option is viable.

Remember…Allow yourself time to adjust to the new placementas you may experience culture shock again! Asklocal staff and students if you’re not sure what to doand don’t hesitate to contact the Erasmus Team ifyou have any concerns/problems.


“A highly satisfying, mind-opening and challengingexperience, both in terms ofacademics as well as social life.”

Philipp Liegmann International Relations with FrenchIEP de Paris (Menton Campus)

11

PRE-DEPARTUREPROCEDURES

Please feel free to contact the Erasmus Team for advice and help with any ofthese procedures.

Your contact detailsPlease ensure that your home and emergencycontact details are correct on your Student Recordbefore and during your time abroad.

Make contactsDo get in touch with other students who are at/goingto the same destination as well as the incomingexchange students from there. The Erasmus Teamcan help you do this. You can also get in touch onfacebook: UniversityofKentStudyAbroad.

Important note about votingBritish citizens can apply to vote in UK elections bypost or proxy for one particular election or for a fixedtime (eg one year). Voting by proxy means that youwill assign someone at home the task of voting onyour behalf in an election. Voting by post means thatapproximately 10 days before the election a votingpack will be sent to your address abroad withdetailed instructions. In order to vote in this way, youmust contact your local council as soon as possible.

The International Development library is a usefulsource of information and can give more specificinformation on what is required by different countriesor partner universities.

Essential documentsMake sure you have the following documents:• Passport, valid at least for the duration of yourstay abroad

• Insurance (see page 17) • VisaVisas are not necessary for EU nationals studyingin other EU or EEA countries or Switzerland. You may need a student visa if you are a citizenof a non-EU country or if you are a citizen of anEU member state travelling to a non-EU country.Students with placements in Turkey must get avisa. Contact the relevant Embassy urgentlybecause the application process can take severalmonths and you will have to go to the Embassy foran interview. Leaving the application until thesummer could mean that your visa is not ready intime to start your placement. It could evenjeopardise your whole Year Abroad! Visaapplications can be expensive, particularly if youare required to have a medical examination. If thisis a requirement, you must go to thehospital/medical centre specified by the Embassy.Contact details of Embassies in the UK are givenin Appendix VI.

• Residence requirementsAfter arrival it may be necessary for you tocomplete various formalities to allow you to staythere for a period of more than three months.This may include registration with the localauthorities/police and obtaining a residencepermit. Contact your host university, school oremployer for advice.

• Birth CertificateA full A4 birth certificate may be required forsome registration procedures (check with youruniversity/employer before leaving Kent). Studentsborn in the UK who do not already have the A4version, can obtain one from the Registry ofBirths, Marriages and Deaths. Students who will be living in France may need atranslation of their A4 birth certificate. If this is thecase, contact the Erasmus Team as soon aspossible for a blank form and instructions. Whenyou have translated the birth certificate, bring thetranslated version and the original A4 documentto the Erasmus Team to be certified.

• International Student Identity Card (ISIC)These cards can be extremely useful and canentitle you to reductions in theatres, cinemas,museums and galleries. Cards can be obtainedfrom STA Travel. You will need a passport photoand your Kent ID.

• Erasmus Identification (if applicable)All students participating in an Erasmus studyplacement will be sent a document certifying theirErasmus status by the Erasmus Team in August.This is an important part of the registrationprocedure so take several copies.

• Learning Agreement (Study placements) orTraining Agreement (work placements)

• School certificatesYou may be required to provide copies of A Level,or equivalent, certificates.

• Lots of passport photos• Photocopies Take copies of all the documents listed above aswell as the originals. Do not hand over theoriginals to anyone in case they get lost.

Information and formsWe have nominated all those undertaking a studyplacement to the appropriate partner university/ies.You should expect to hear from them aboutregistration and other matters by email or post in thenext couple of months. If partner universities sendinformation or forms to us, we will notify you by emailto come and collect it.

Assistants will receive instructions from the BritishCouncil, and possibly the local authority/school. It isreally important to contact your school as soon asyou receive the details. Those on work placementsshould check with their employer about forms thatmay be required in addition to the work placementcontract.

It is essential that you meet any deadlines given sothat you do not jeopardise your placement.


“Get involved, make the most ofit, and don’t worry. It’s a loteasier to settle in than you mightthink.”

Mark PurrottEnglish and Spanish Law, University of Deusto

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ACCOMMODATION

Study placementsSome universities provide accommodation and willsend application forms with the registrationdocuments. Universities without their ownresidences may offer help in finding privateaccommodation. Visit the International Developmentlibrary for information about specific universities andto see student questionnaires. Remember mostuniversities have limited accommodation andallocate rooms on a “First come, first served” basis;it is therefore crucial that any forms/financialrequirements are completed correctly and returnedwell within the deadline.

Students who are allocated a room should read anyinformation or contract very carefully. Deposits mustbe paid on time and the contract signed andreturned as required. In some cases, students mustobtain a certain type of insurance before they cancollect their room key. Details will be given by therelevant residence office. Take careful note of anyregulations and be prepared to follow them. Someregulations may be strict but these should berespected out of consideration for others.

Please note: Accommodation situations may varyfrom year to year. A university that could offeraccommodation in previous years may be unable todo so due to an unexpected problem. In thissituation, the Erasmus Team at Kent will doeverything possible to get university accommodationfor those concerned; however, students should beprepared to look for private accommodation.

Work placementsIf you are doing an assistantship or work placement,the onus is on you to find accommodation. It is agood idea to research the town where you will beworking and ask your school/employer for advice.Some students like to go out to the placement earlywith family so that they can visit possible rooms.

If you will be an assistant, it is worth attending anyintroductory briefing/training in your area as manystudents have found flat mates among the otherlocal assistants. Others have been offeredaccommodation by a member of staff eitherpermanently or short-term while they looked forpermanent accommodation. In a few cases,students have been offered accommodation whichis owned by the School or employer but this cannotbe guaranteed.

Finding private accommodationContact the Erasmus Team of Kent and the localErasmus Office, school or employer for help withfinding private accommodation. Some may be ableto help more than others. More information isavailable in the questionnaires in the InternationalDevelopment library. These are highlyrecommended: some offer advice on places toavoid, flat hunting techniques and occasionally givea landlord’s address. If possible, contact thestudents who completed the questionnaires formore information.

Important advice:• Find out about the safe/unsafe areas of the townbefore starting your search.

• Avoid visiting flats/rooms on your own: take afriend as security and an extra pair of eyes to spotproblem areas. If this is impossible, leave theaddress, your mobile number and expectedreturn time with a friend.

• Be careful what personal details you give inadverts or to potential flatmates.

• Arrange meetings in a public place. • Be businesslike and confident.• Find out who might have access to theaccommodation (landlord, landlord’s agent, etc).

• Read the contract carefully and if you have anyconcerns ask a native-speaker to check it on yourbehalf before signing.

Living in FranceAll those resident in private accommodation inFrance will be required to pay the Taxe d’Habitation.Please be aware that you may not receive thepayment demand until your final year. You may beeligible for a rent rebate (the Aide au Logement)through the CAF (www.caf.fr).


“I love living in Madrid. I’ve metlots of new friends and it’s suchan enjoyable experience. It can bescary at first, but after the firstmonth you settle in your newhome and start enjoying thisgreat year.”

Claire DanielsDrama and Spanish, Madrid Autonoma

13

TRAVEL

Safety when travellingThe following tips will help you to have a safejourney:• Always keep your passport, money and valuablessecure, in a hidden money belt for example, butmake sure that you can access the things you willneed during the journey easily.

• Keep your luggage close to you at all times sothat it cannot be tampered with or stolen.

• Act confidently and be aware of what ishappening around you.

• Plan your journey in advance so you do not haveto refer frequently to a map/guidebook, whichcould mark you out as a stranger.

• Make sure you know where to go and what to doon arrival (see Arrival section).

• If you have to travel at night on public transport,sit near the bus driver if you can or with otherpeople on the train.

• Have some spare cash with you in case youneed/want to take a taxi to your accommodation.

You may wish to consider travellingwith other Kent students as this canoften make the process of arriving atyour placement much less daunting.Although you may be the only studentgoing from your school, there may beother students travelling out to thesame city or region. The ErasmusTeam can help you contact them. Thestudent questionnaires contain manyuseful travel recommendations.

STA Travel is a travel agent specialising in studenttravel, which has a branch in Canterbury(www.statravel.co.uk, E: [email protected]: 0871 702 9810).

By airThe many cheap flights offered make flying apopular option for getting to placements. However,you will be limited as to the amount of baggage youcan take with you. If possible, ask a friend or familymember to travel with you so that you can use theirallowance. Make sure you know the current handluggage allowances and restrictions.

By coachEurolines (part of National Express Coaches) runcoaches from Victoria coach station to over 250destinations in Europe. 26s and under can getdiscounted tickets but even the full fare is relativelyinexpensive. You may find this a cheap way oftravelling home after your initial journey. Reservationscan be made through any Eurolines agent orNational Express office (www.nationalexpress.com,T: 08717 818178 – Eurolines booking line).

By trainEurostar (www.eurostar.co.uk/, T: 08432 186 186)offers special cut-rate tickets to students under 26 toParis, Brussels, and Lille. A return ticket is valid for60 days but the date and time of return must bebooked at the same time as the outward journey.

Eurotrain specialise in youth rail travel in Europe andhave discounts for those under 26. Prices includechannel crossing by ferry, with the return journeyvalid for 2 months and the added option of breakingthe journey and stopping off anywhere on route.

More information can be found through Rail Europe(www.voyages-sncf.com) and Euro Railways(www.eurorailways.com/).

Taking a carBe aware of different regulations in your hostcountry. The AA (www.theaa.com) and the RAC(www.rac.co.uk) offer help and guidelines for drivingabroad to their members. For information abouttaking a car abroad, including driving licence andvehicle licence enquiries contact the Driver andVehicle Licensing Agency (www.dvla.gov.uk).

The Association of British Insurers (www.abi.org.uk/click on the Information zone link) offers informationand advice about motor insurance.

It is advisable to check about parking arrangementsat your university residence or in the local city/town.Residences may not have any designated parkingand municipal parking charges can be high.

CustomsFind out useful information about Customsregulations at www.hmrc.gov.uk/


“I think a year abroad issomething most people shouldexperience; it was probably thebest year of my life.”

Natasha LovePolitics and International Relations with a year in Finland, University of Tampere

14

ARRIVAL

At your accommodationMake sure you inform the office responsible for yourresidence or your landlord of your proposed arrivaldate and an approximate arrival time. Don’t arriveafter office hours or at a weekend/local publicholiday, unless you have been told that you may doso. Remember that your journey could be delayed.Find out in advance what you should do if you arelate and be prepared to organise a hostel/hotel roomfor the first night(s).

If you are looking for private accommodation, theearlier you can arrive, the more choice you will have.If necessary, book into a hostel/hotel for the first fewnights. Assistants may be able to arrange temporaryaccommodation through their school.

Hostelling International may be of use,www.hihostels.com.

At your university/placementMake sure that the relevant office (host university,local assistantship organisation/school, or employer)is aware of your arrival date and that you know whatto do on arrival. If in doubt, contact them at least aweek before your departure or ask the ErasmusTeam at Kent for help.

UniversityContact the International Relations/Erasmus Officeon arrival to sort out your registration. Arrange anappointment with your Academic Co-ordinator assoon as possible after arrival to introduce yourselfand update your Learning Agreement if necessary.They can offer assistance with module choices andgeneral problems. If you have problems during theyear, it is very important that you make the AcademicCo-ordinator and the International Relations/ErasmusOffice aware of this.

Attend any orientation programmes which arearranged at the start of the year for exchangestudents: you may be given help withregistration/module choices, and will have a chanceto make friends and start finding your way around.Many are free of charge but places may be limited.Some universities run a student mentoring scheme,which may involve assistance with registration. TheTandem language learning scheme is also offeredby some universities and is a great way to improvelanguage skills.

AssistantsMake sure you are aware of, and arrive in time for,any meetings given by the local assistantshiporganisation/school. Not only will they give usefulinformation but you will have an opportunity to meetother local assistants and may be given help withfinding accommodation.

Work placementsDiscuss your arrival arrangements with youremployer.

In your areaFind out in advance whether you need to registerwith the local council or police. You may need tomake an appointment or queue up at the relevantoffice. Make sure that you have all the requireddocumentation and photocopies with you. Thismight include your passport, student card, proofof financial support (eg your student loan documentor a letter from your parents), and accommodationcontract.


“...so far my year abroad hashonestly been one of the bestyears of my life! Once youovercome the scary parts at thebeginning, everything gets a loteasier. You feel proud ofeverything you’ve been able to dofor yourself in a foreign countrywhere everything worksdifferently. I’ve met some lovelypeople that I will never forgetand had some amazingexperiences here. Make the mostof it because it goes so fast andnot everybody gets theopportunity to do something likethis.”

Jennifer RichardsFrench, Montpellier

15

FINANCIAL MATTERS

With careful preparation and budgeting, it is possible to pay for essentialexpenses and still enjoy nights out and weekends away.

Be prepared for initial expenses for travel andaccommodation, particularly if the academic yearwill start before your loan is due to be paid. In somecases, there may be a higher cost of living but otherexchange students are usually a good source ofinformation about the best supermarkets, cheapcinema tickets and rail/bus passes. Studentquestionnaires, available in the InternationalDevelopment library, also give some very usefulinformation on these matters.

[The following information is correct at the time ofgoing to press.]

Erasmus GrantIf you will be participating in an Erasmus study orwork placement (see Appendix III), you may beeligible to receive an Erasmus grant.

The grant is a top-up for your normal source offunding which is paid by the European Commissionthrough the University. It is designed to help youmake the most of your time abroad but is notenough to live on by itself.

The grant rate is set according to the country youare going to and the duration of the placement. It isnot means-tested. All or part of the grant will have tobe repaid to Kent if you do not complete theplacement.

How do I get it?There are no specific application procedures. TheErasmus Team identifies eligible students and willcontact them about the necessary forms. Eligibilitycriteria are given in Appendix III on page 26.

Students participating in an assistantship or otherwork placement will also be sent an ErasmusTraining Agreement. The Training Agreement mustbe signed by the student and employer/school, andreturned to International Development. Students willbe asked to provide their bank details so that thegrant can be paid directly to them.

Please note that we cannot pay your grant untilthese Erasmus documents are signed and returned:• Grant Contract • Arrival Certificate• Training Agreement (work placement)• Learning Agreement (study placement)

When is it paid?If you are eligible for an Erasmus grant, you canexpect to receive a payment within 2-3 weeks of youreturning the arrival certificate, providing you havealready submitted the other required documents.

Tuition feesUndergraduate students will pay a reduced tuitionfee to Kent if they will spend a full year abroad. Thefee is expected to be 15% of the normal fee(£1,350).

Undergraduate students will pay the normal tuitionfees to Kent if they will spend one term abroad.

Postgraduate students will pay the normal tuitionfees to Kent for a year or term abroad.

Tuition fees are not payable to any of the hostinstitutions.

Student loansIf you are eligible for funding through StudentFinance, it is essential that you notify them that youwill study or work abroad. This is particularlyimportant if you have recently changed from a 3year to 4 year degree programme. You shouldcontact them directly about this as soon as possible.

Student Finance usually then ask for confirmationfrom Kent that this is an official part of the degree. Ifthey give you a form for Kent to fill in, please bring itto the Erasmus Team. If they ask for a status letterconfirming the details, please [email protected].

This should ensure that you get your funding at theright time. It may also be possible for studentswhose semester starts in August to receive thefunding a bit earlier but this is not guaranteed. If,despite notifying Student Finance, your funding isdelayed, you can apply to Kent’s Financial Aid Officefor an emergency short-term loan.

www.kent.ac.uk/finance-student/funding/emergency.html

Failure to notify Student Finance could result in yourfunding being delayed or in Student Finance notarranging funding for your final year.


“So far my year abroad has beenso much fun and so exciting.Living in a new city, meetingnew friends and experiencinga new culture has been amazingand I hope my following termsare as great.”

Charlotte DoveEnglish and American Literature, Ca’ Foscari Venice

Access to Learning FundThe Government provides funds to universities toenable them to assist home undergraduate andpostgraduate students who are in financial difficulty.Undergraduate students, who have taken out thefull means-tested entitlement of their student loanand have received the first instalment and findthemselves in financial difficulty, can apply to theAccess to Learning Fund for a grant. Studentscan apply for a full year assessment and/or a non-standard award for exceptional costs andemergency situations.

Application forms and information for each newacademic year should be available from thebeginning of September. Go to:www.kent.ac.uk/finance-student/funding/alf.html

Benefit entitlementsIf you are receiving any form of benefit, inform thedepartment responsible that you will study or workabroad for a year/term and ask them how this willaffect you. If you need a status letters to confirm thatyour time abroad is an official part of your degreeemail [email protected].

Cash and bank accounts abroadWhether, and when, to open a bank account in yourhost country depends very much on individualcircumstances. Before making a decision, consultyour UK bank and the student questionnaires in theInternational Development library.

Your bankInform your bank that you will be spending the nextacademic year abroad. Failing to do this could resultin your card being stopped: the bank might assumethat your card is being used fraudulently!

The bank will be able to advise you on managingyour finances. Exchange rate inequalities andbank/card fees (often surprisingly high) make it

FINANCIAL MATTERS (CONT)


essential to manage your money in the mosteffective way possible. If using internet banking,make sure the necessary security precautions arein place.

Local banksIt is worth opening an account with a local bank assoon as possible. Check the student questionnairesfor recommendations and speak to students onarrival for advice on the most ‘student-friendly’banks. When opening an account, remember to takeproof of identification and, if applicable, universityregistration. You may also be required to pay somemoney in immediately. Please note that in manyEuropean countries it is illegal to have an overdraft.

Immediate costsYou will need a fair amount of easily available fundsduring the first few weeks of your stay, to pay at leastthe first month’s rent, plus a deposit, and for food andtravel expenses. However, it is never sensible to carrylarge amounts of cash (see paragraphs below).

MoneyIf you plan to use your debit/credit card abroad ormake transfers, find out what the charges will be.Make sure that your cards are widely accepted inyour host country.

Pre-paid travel currency cards or cash passportsmay be of use. They can be used to makepurchases and withdraw cash like a debit card.Tracking transactions and balances can be doneonline, by text or phone. There may be a fee forwithdrawing cash or for purchasing the card so it isworth shopping around. As the travel cards are notlinked to your bank account, there is less risk in caseof loss or theft than with a debit or credit card andthe travel cards can be cancelled and replaced.

Pre-paid cards can be purchased from variousplaces, including Thomas Cook and the Post Office:

www.thomascookmoney.com/cash-passport www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money-card

EmploymentIf financial problems cause you to consider workingto supplement your income, the following informationshould be useful. However, you must bear in mindthe exigencies of your study programme whendeciding how many hours per week you can work.

Within EU law, all residents of the EU have the rightto seek employment in member countries, and donot require a work permit to do so. The onlyconditions that apply to this law are that you are inpossession of a full British or other EU Passportand that you are not a Commonwealth citizen whohas right of abode in the UK.

Teaching English privately is a good way to earnmoney; there is almost always a demand for nativespeakers to give lessons in English (see note belowon safety.) Do not be afraid to ask for the going rate.Depending on the level of the student and yourcompetence as a teacher, you can earn between 10– 20 Euros an hour. It is worth asking around beforeyou decide on the rate. It is not advisable toundercut other people. Hotel and Catering work isanother option and English speakers are oftenconsidered an asset, particularly in tourist areas.

Safety when looking for employmentThe following points are aimed at helping you to finda suitable job safely:• Speak to friends or colleagues who may be ableto put you in touch with potential clients forlanguage tutoring.

• If advertising, be very careful about the kind ofadvert you write: ask a native speaker to adviseyou on the wording and do not give your homeaddress.

• Arrange to meet potential students/employers in apublic place NOT your/their home.

• Take someone with you or give the meetinglocation/time and contact’s name to a friend.

• Dress smartly and behave in a businesslike way. • Keep the conversation off personal/social topics. • If you feel at all uncomfortable, excuse yourselfpolitely and leave.

The majority of people are genuine but there havebeen cases of serious attacks. This is not meant toput you off: it is simply to say that it is important tobe vigilant.

Extra-curricular internshipsYou are welcome to find an extra-curricularinternship as long as it does not adversely affectyour official placement. Please note that suchplacements are a private matter and the Universityof Kent cannot sign an internship agreement orconvention for a private internship which runsconcurrently with your official study or workplacement.

“Brilliant and invaluableexperience; [I] would recommendit to all. Really good life learning,a great time to have fun, widenyour perspective and outlook.”

Seema AggarwalEuropean Legal Studies, Charles University Prague

17

INSURANCE

Insurance is an essential part of your Year Abroad preparation. It is alwaysbetter to have insurance and not need it, than to not have it and get in todifficulties!

Incidental holidaysPlease note insurance cover also applies forincidental holidays taken within your designated yearabroad country. Cover can also apply for holidaystaken away from your year abroad country duringmidterm vacation breaks, but you must disclosethese upfront when first registering online forinsurance purposes or if arranged whilst studyingabroad the holiday destinations and travel datesmust be notified by email to the Insurance Office –[email protected] for cover to be agreed. If forany reason the period of holiday exceeds the overallperiod of study in your designated year abroadcountry, you will have to arrange separate insurancefor the extended holiday only travel.

Evidence of cover When you submit your details online please print theconfirmation page as proof of registration forUniversity travel insurance. You should alsodownload evidence of insurance cover from one ofthe links available on the confirmation webpage.Evidence of insurance is also available fordownload from – https://www.kent.ac.uk/finance-staff/services/insurance/docs/evidence_of_cover/travel_evidence_ug_chubb.pdf.

Retain printed and electronic copies of your coverinformation so you know exactly what to do in theevent of an emergency. If you suffer from illness orinjury while overseas, you must call ChubbAssistance Helpline +44 (0)207 895 3364 forimmediate help and advice, or alternatively [email protected]. Further guidanceabout what to do in an emergency is available in thecover information document.

Health & Risk AssessmentsIt is most important all year abroad students readand comply with the University’s Travelling andWorking Overseas Performance Standard. Forfurther information please visit the OccupationalHealth webpage –www.kent.ac.uk/safety/oh/help/travelinfo/overseas-travel-health-ass.html and ensure health and riskassessments are carried-out before registering forUniversity travel and personal accident insurance.

Foreign & Commonwealth OfficeFinally, before embarking on any overseas journey,please read information available from the UKGovernment Foreign and Commonwealth Office –www.fco.gov.uk. Non UK nationals should also referto their home government advice websites.

Year Abroad Students Travel andPersonal Accident InsuranceAll year abroad students are eligible for free traveland personal accident insurance arranged by theUniversity of Kent with a leading travel insurercurrently Chubb Insurance.

How do I register for insurance cover?For cover to apply you need to complete the onlinetravel notification form no later than 10 working daysbefore you leave – https://www.kent.ac.uk/finance-staff/services/insurance/forms/student-travel.html.

This insurance will commence when you travel to theairport and will remain in force for the period of yourstay overseas until you finally return home. Pleaseread the “incidental holidays” note below. If you arean EU national travelling into Europe, please alsotake your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)with you, to obtain minor treatment or prescriptionsat local or nil cost. If you do not have a card alreadyapply free of charge on www.uk-ehic.org.uk/Apply

University insurance covers a wide range of benefitsand provides extremely generous insured sumscompared with other stand-alone travel insurancepolicies. Here are just a few key insured benefitsavailable to you: • Unlimited emergency medical and dentaltreatment costs, including repatriation back to theUK, or your normal place of residence.

• Up to £10,000 all risks cover for accidental loss ordamage to personal possessions such as alaptop or mobile phone, but subject to a singleitem limit of £3,000.

• Up to £10,000 for cancellation, curtailment orrearrangement of a planned journey caused byunforeseen circumstances which arise after youregister for insurance cover.

Further information about your insurance cover isavailable from the Travel Insurance webpage –www.kent.ac.uk/finance-staff/services/insurance/travelundergraduate/indexstudentsUG.html.

How do I make an insurance claim?In the event that you suffer a loss while overseas, allinsurer validated claims will be paid subject to aninsurance policy excess of £100. Information abouthow to claim is available at – https://www.kent.ac.uk/finance-staff/services/insurance/travelundergraduate/indexstudentsUG.html?tab=claiming.


European Health Insurance CardAll EU/EEA nationals must obtain the EuropeanHealth Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC providesmedical cover in other EU/EEA countries orSwitzerland for short periods. Apply online atwww.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad. If youare not a UK national, apply to the issuing body inyour home country. The EHIC will almost certainly bea pre-requisite for university or police registration.Take several copies of the card and keep one withthe original (it will be required if you need medicaltreatment).

The EHIC covers you for any state-providedtreatment during the course of your stay includingthe treatment of chronic diseases and pre-existingillnesses (because the purpose of your stay is not toobtain treatment). The state provision of medicaltreatment varies from country to country and if anillness/accident requires you to have what is classedthere as private treatment you will not be covered bythe EHIC. This could include a journey byambulance, dental/optical treatment, or repatriationcosts. Detailed information is online(www.dh.gov.uk).

Personal liability insuranceSome universities (particularly in France) requirestudents to take out personal liability insurance,sometimes offering a policy which can be taken outon arrival. In addition, some French residencesrequire students to take out a ‘multi-risques’ cover fortheir room before they can move in.

Those who have registered for the University of Kentinsurance, may find that this is acceptable becauseit covers personal liability. If the office will not acceptthis document, be prepared to get separateinsurance cover as instructed. This is usually offeredon arrival at the time of signing contracts and is notexpensive. However, obtaining the insurance cantake time so make sure you allow enough time to getit before closing time. To find out more, contact yourhost university.

Note for students on assistantshipsand work placementsAs well as getting the EHIC and private insurance,ask the British Council, local assistantship office oryour employer if you will be entitled to local socialsecurity and accident cover.

18

HEALTH AND WELFARE

PrescriptionsMake sure that you have supplies of any necessaryprescription medicines before you leave. (You mayneed to check that your medicine is allowed in thehost country.) It can also be useful to have a smallfirst aid kit with the basics (eg aspirin, plasters,antiseptic cream, antihistamines…) for the start ofthe year. You may also want to stock up on yourfavourite toiletries!

Medical Facilities It is not obligatory for you to register with a localdoctor during your time abroad, but this is worthconsidering, particularly if you will be there for ayear. It is recommended for those who have a pre-existing medical or mental health condition.

In some countries, patients can go directly to ahospital for treatment by a specialist rather thanhaving to be referred by their GP. Many hostuniversities have their own medical centres or clinicsfor students’ use, which could simply be access to adoctor or nurse or cover a whole range of servicesincluding clinics and psychologists. Assistants andthose on work placements should contact theiremployer for advice about the local medical facilities.

Read the Health Advice for Travellers informationonline at www.dh.gov.uk for more details about thehealth-care system in your host country. This websitealso says what is or is not covered by the EHIC card.

Pre-existing conditions If you have a pre-existing health condition – egdepression/severe anxiety, epilepsy, etc – it is veryimportant that you meet with your doctor, specialist orStudent Support (www.kent.ac.uk/studentsupport/).to discuss your plans. This will help you to work outany practical, psychological or medical support youmight need there. Even if you do not currently needsupport or a prescription, it is worth discussing thisin case your circumstances change while you areabroad. Having a back-up plan will mean that ifsomething does happen, you will be prepared andit can be dealt with promptly.

We also strongly recommend that you notify theErasmus Team as soon as possible, so that we canadvise you appropriately and liaise with your hostuniversity/school/employer on your behalf (if this isnecessary). All information is kept confidential.

You may wish to get a letter from your GP confirmingdetails of your condition and current treatment incase you need further treatment or prescriptionswhile abroad. However, local doctors might decideto run their own tests before prescribing medicationor treatment.

Disability support abroadAlthough most host universities will have a disabilitysupport service, they may not offer exactly the samefacilities or support that Kent offers. Many servicesare focused primarily on assisting students whohave mobility, vision or hearing impairments, forexample with accessible rooms, note-takers, etc.

‘Unseen’ disabilities and conditions like dyslexia orautism are not always covered by these services. Insome cases, this is because local students getsupport through their own doctors or social services.In others, it seems to be because unseen disabilitiesdo not yet have the prominence that they do in theUK.

Awareness and support is growing gradually, but itis important that students contact the Erasmus Teamand Student Support early so that we can find outwhat support you need and what is offered at yourplacement.


Fortunately, these feelings do not usually persist,and the long term results are often closer friendshipswith other students and an improved sense of yourown capabilities. Past experience suggests that afterChristmas the Year Abroad adventure just getsbetter and better. By the summer, most students arevery sorry to leave.

Dealing with stress – Don’t suffer insilenceIf you do find you are suffering from culture shock,anxiety or home sickness, talk to someone about it;you may well find that other students have similarfeelings and you can help each other get through it.Remember to keep in contact with friends and familyat home but don’t spend too much time doing thisbecause it can make home sickness worse. Don’tforget…

• Allow yourself time to settle in• Make sure you eat and sleep well• Get to know other students • Take time to do things you enjoy• Keep yourself busy

Don’t hesitate to contact the Erasmus Team at Kent.We are here to help and can empathise with theanxieties and problems faced having all studied orworked abroad ourselves! In addition to our Team,you can also get help from the localErasmus/International Relations Office, youremployer or a teacher at your school, or the localassistantship office. Kent’s Student Wellbeing team(www.kent.ac.uk/studentwellbeing/) is also availableto you while you are abroad if you feel you wouldbenefit from this. They are happy to arrange free,confidential appointments by phone for Kentstudents who are abroad. You must be registeredwith a doctor in your host town to access thisservice.

Health questionnairesYou will be asked by the Erasmus Team to fill in anOverseas Travel Health Questionnaire as part ofyour Year/Term abroad preparation. If you declare ahealth condition/disability, you may also have to geta ‘Fitness to Travel’ certificate from the MedicalCertificate. This procedure is obligatory butcompletely confidential.

“Although I am less thanhalfway through my yearabroad, I would undoubtedly saythat it has been one of the bestexperiences of my life. It isn’tsomething that is always easybut I have no doubt that I havematured and become more self-sufficient than ever before.”

Victoria-Anne BulleyBA in Drama and English and American LiteratureUniversity of Porto

The period after arrival abroad can be very disorientating as you adjust to adifferent culture. Home sickness and the difficulty making yourself understood,or understanding others, can make small difficulties seem much worse! Manystudents get anxious or stressed in their first few weeks which can occasionallyresult in feelings of depression or loneliness.

19

PERSONAL SAFETY

The following information is aimed athelping you to make the most of yourtime Abroad!

Many issues can be avoided simply by raising yourawareness of the world around you and using yourcommon sense. Although some of this information ismost appropriate for women, much of it is of generaluse in keeping safe and avoiding crime.

In your communityBe aware of local norms of behaviour and clothing:what is acceptable in the UK may give the wrongimpression in other countries. Blending in with localyoung people can help you to avoid attractingunwanted attention or causing offence. Goodguidebooks may give some useful information aboutthis.

It may sound cynical and unfriendly but don’t takestrangers at face value: be cautious aboutaccepting/offering invitations, lifts or unsolicitedoffers of help. Remember that some countries havemore strict/formal social norms than the UK; forexample, in some areas, inviting someone you havejust met to your accommodation can give the wrongsignals.

Young people in mainland Europe go out to enjoythemselves and have a few drinks, but do not ingeneral drink in order to get drunk. If you becomeunwell on a night out, go home with a friend, ifpossible, or book a reputable taxi. Don’t accept a liftfrom someone you have just met. If a friendbecomes incapacitated, help them to get homesafely.

Getting aroundEvery town or city has areas which should beavoided and where mugging may be rife: try to findout about this before or as soon as possible afterarrival, particularly if looking for privateaccommodation. If you have to consult a map, it isbetter to do it sitting in a café than to advertise thatyou are unsure of your surroundings in the street.Avoid poorly-lit, deserted or isolated areas or short-cuts.

Be aware that places or routes which are ok duringthe day may be less safe at night. If you’re going toa new place, try to arrive during the day time. Whenout late, try to avoid travelling alone and make sureyou have a plan B for getting home just in case, egdetails of a reputable taxi firm, train/bus times. Onpublic transport, sit with other people, if possible,

In the event of crime or loss…Report the loss/theft of any personalbelongings/documents to the police immediatelyand get a police report. Notify your bank at once ifyour credit/bank cards are stolen or lost so that theycan be stopped and replaced. If your personaldocuments (eg passport) are stolen or lost, thepolice will write out a temporary form, which willcover you whilst you are in the process of obtainingnew papers, which you should do at the nearestBritish Consulate. (See the British Consulate sectionin this Guide.)

If you find yourself without your passport, any accessto cash, or in any other serious trouble, the Consulatewill try to help. In the unlikely event of you beingarrested for a serious offence, insist on the Consulatebeing informed: you will be contacted as soon aspossible by a consular officer who can advise onlocal procedures, etc.

and move to be near the bus driver/train emergencyalarm if you feel concerned. If you think you arebeing followed, go to a populated place where youcan get help, eg a café, police station, hospital etc,so the person does not find out where you live.

Avoiding theftBe on your guard and follow the same precautionsas you would at home. Hold on tightly to your bag orsling it securely across your shoulder, especially in acrowd. If possible keep your documents and moneyon your person, rather than in a bag, which can beeasily snatched. Pick-pockets are common,especially around groups of foreigners. Only takeout large sums of money when absolutelynecessary. Lock your room securely when you leave it.

Keep your bank’s emergency numbers, a note ofyour card numbers (not your PIN!) and photocopiesof your insurance documents in safe places. Keepthem separate from your purse/wallet in case of lossor theft.


20

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Once installed at your host institution,please keep in contact with us. We liketo hear from you – don’t wait for adisaster before you get in touch! Aletter/email from you will always get aresponse, albeit sometimes brief, andpostcards are always appreciated. Ifyou come to the University during theyear, please visit the Erasmus Teamand tell us how you are getting on.

We do our best to keep in touch and contact youabout specific matters (most frequently by groupemail), but unless you contact us we assume that allis well. If you have not heard from us for a while andare concerned, please do not hesitate to contact us.You will find our contact details at the beginning ofthis guide.

Contact detailsPlease ensure that your home, term-time andemergency contact details are correct on yourStudent Record. You should list your contact detailsfor your time abroad in the term-time section. Updateyour details during your time abroad if you move orchange your phone number or email address.

This is very important because we and otherUniversity offices will need to contact you during yourtime abroad.

Using emailWe will contact you in the first instance by email (toyour Kent account), and it is important that you let usknow if it is difficult for you to access a PC or theInternet at least once a week. If you want us tocontact you additionally at another email address letus know.

You can access your Kent email from abroadthrough the University’s web mail service or you canhave your emails forwarded to another inbox. Thiscan only be done on a PC at Kent. Contact theStudent Helpdesk if you need assistance (seedetails below).

• T: + 44 (0)1227 824999 • E: [email protected] • www.kent.ac.uk/itservices

Important note: If your inbox goes over quota, this will prevent youfrom receiving or sending emails. Delete unwantedemails and check that you have none stored in thedeleted items folder. If you do have problems withyour Kent email address, contact the Studenthelpdesk for assistance.

PhonesIt is often worthwhile getting a local SIM card forinternet and cheaper local phone calls. Studentswho do not have a smartphone may find a dongleuseful.

FacebookGet in touch with other students through the StudyAbroad Facebook page:UniversityofKentStudyAbroad.

The internetYou may find that access to PCs and/or the Internetis more limited at your host university than at Kent.There are often fewer PCs per student which canlead to queues and time limits for use. Students maynot be expected to use IT as much as at Kent.

Most students find they can access the Internet atlocal Internet cafes or, occasionally, at some postoffices/ telecommunications outlets (for exampleSwisscom). Prices for access vary from place toplace, but start at about 2 – 5 Euros per hour.

You can access the information in this guide online at www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

Staff visitsThe Erasmus Team organises academic staff visitsduring the year to monitor student progress andassist with any problems. Depending on theteaching/tutoring demands on co-ordinators, visitsmay be delayed until later in the year. Unfortunately,it is not always possible to arrange visits to allstudents. Those on assistantships and workplacements may be visited at their placement ormay be invited to meet staff on a visit to a localpartner university.

You may find that you are visited by an academicco-ordinator who is not responsible for your subjectarea. If this is the case, you should still attend themeeting and express any concerns you may have.

When a visit is being organised, staff will contactstudents in advance to arrange a time and locationto meet. It is therefore very important that you givethe Erasmus Team your current email address andany mobile and/or landline numbers. Every effortshould be made to attend the meeting!

If you are not visited, or the visit is going to be laterin the year, and you have problems/ concerns, donot hesitate to contact the Erasmus Team and yourAcademic Co-ordinator immediately. You should alsospeak to your host university co-ordinators. In mostcases, problems can be sorted out over the phoneor by email and in certain circumstances a specialvisit may be arranged.


21

CAREERS

Whatever your degree subject, it will be enriched by the experience of living,studying and/or working in another country. This experience will not onlydevelop your language abilities and cultural awareness but will also developmore general skills (such as initiative, adaptability and independence) that willhelp to enhance your career prospects. Before you leave Kent for your yearabroad, do make use of the advice and information which the Careers andEmployability Service can provide.

QuestionsHow is my placement overseas helping me toprepare for the world of work?

How is my placement enabling me to present myselfconfidently, and to interact more effectively withothers?

How is it enhancing my problem-solving skills?

How is it enhancing my communication skills?

How is it enabling me to operate in a context that isdifferent from my own cultural context, andimproving my cultural awareness?

What other transferable skills am I developing?

In what others ways is my placement aiding mypersonal development?

Careers and Employability ServiceThe Services website (www.kent.ac.uk/ces) has information on career choice, making jobapplications, working abroad and links to a largenumber of sites for graduate employers andprofessional bodies. A good starting point for findingout about useful careers and study sites in othercountries is the Prospects website:www.prospects.ac.uk/links/Abroad.

Other resources are:• Prospects Planner, online careers guidance:www.prospects.ac.uk/links/Pplanner;

• the “Career Planning Guide” which outlines thefacilities offered by the Careers Service;

• Your Degree – What Next?, a general bookletwhich is supplemented by “Options” Sheets(subject-specific information sheets), availableonline at www.prospects.ac.uk/links/UseSubj;

• Occupational Profiles covering over 600 careerareas and providing independent informationwritten by careers specialists in universitiesacross the UK. (Available to download atwww.prospects.ac.uk/links/Occupations)

• other Careers information booklets, including:- Using Languageswww.prospects.ac.uk/links/languages

- Postgraduate Study and Researchwww.prospects.ac.uk/links/pgstudy

- Working Abroadwww.prospects.ac.uk/links/workabroad


“This is a fantastic way toimprove your language skills andto discover more about workexperience placements and jobopportunities in future.”

Marina IvanovaEuropean Economics, Université de Grenoble 2

A study or work placement overseas offers a uniqueway in which to enhance your personal developmentand employability-related skills. Prepare for theoverseas placement before you go, so that you areable to make the most of it when there by fullyunderstanding what it can bring you. Used andreflected on wisely, it will allow you to enhance yourCV.

In view of that, we have devised some questions tohelp you think about your work/study experienceabroad, both during your time abroad andafterwards. Think carefully about the questions, anduse them to do the following:• During your time abroad keep a “skills/attributediary” which allows you to reflect on how you aredeveloping. This will be a useful record when youprepare your CV and job applications.

• Structure appropriate sections of your CV/lettersto employers, to communicate what yourplacement abroad has brought you by way oftransferable skills and attributes

Transferable Skills

Communication (oral, written)Report writingTeam workingPlanning and organizationProject managementLeadershipEnterpriseProblem solvingReflection

Attributes

Adaptability (flexibility & mobility)Energy Drive and resilienceIntegrityReliabilityEnthusiasm/passionSelf awareness & confidenceContextual/cultural awarenessCapacity to develop

Please note the following points before you leaveKent because they will help you to get the most outof your year abroad:• Employers want more from graduates thanlanguage skills alone – it is what you can dothrough the language that is important.

• Early preparation is vital. Now is the time to startthinking about what you want to do after yougraduate – not the beginning of your very busyfinal year. Many popular employers will haveclosing dates during the Autumn Term: some(such as solicitors’ firms) even before the start ofyour final year. Don’t miss the boat!

• Use your time abroad to find out more aboutcareer opportunities in that country. (See notebelow)

Career planningIf you hope to return to your host country after yougraduate to work or study, you should use the year tofind out as much as possible about the opportunitiesthere. Don’t expect to find all the information youneed about careers in other EU countries in theCareers Service at Kent. We do have someinformation on opportunities abroad, but you will beable to find out much more while you are abroad.

However, universities may be unable to offer careersinformation and advice on the scale that UKuniversities do. Graduates’ careers tend to be farmore rigidly linked to their degree subject, withmuch advice therefore coming through academicschools. If you don’t yet know what you want to do,or want to find out more about the opportunitiesopen to you as a graduate, now is the time to do this,while the careers resources at Kent are readilyaccessible to you.

Studying and working abroad: Aunique opportunity to enhance yourskillsIn the course of your degree, you will have manyopportunities to develop skills and attributes relatedto employability, both through their course andthrough extracurricular activity such as involvementin sport, societies or volunteering. These skills andattributes are key to success in professional life.

22

RETURNING TO KENT

Final year accommodationIf you will be away for the full academic year, youcan find private accommodation through:

www.studenttenant.com/kent/

www.homestampkent.co.uk/Accommodation(Canterbury)

The off-campus housing pages give a lot of usefulinformation at: www.kent.ac.uk/accommodation/

If you have medical or disability needs, you canapply for campus accommodation in the usual way.

If you are a Canterbury student and you will spend aterm abroad, you will be able to apply for campusaccommodation in mid-November.

Module registrationModule Registration for your final year will be onlinefrom March. It is very important that you register your module choices within the deadline. TheFaculty Undergraduate Office or your School willcontact you by email about this. If you have notheard from them by the end of February, or have anyproblems/queries, you should contact the relevantFaculty Office or School immediately (Appendix VII).

RegistrationStudents returning to Kent after their Year Abroadwill be expected to register online. Check theStudent Portal for details.

Transcripts and year abroad essaysDon’t forget to complete any end of year/semesterprocedures at your host university, for examplehanding in your Libretto or Scheine to theErasmus/International Relations office. You shouldbring the original transcript to InternationalDevelopment when you return to Kent. If you areexpected to do a project/essay, submit completedwork to your School via Moodle by the deadline.


“Erasmus has encouraged me tolearn for myself and not for agrade which is a teaching I shallkeep with me for life. I haveengaged much more with mycourse at UKC since returningfrom Prague.”

Roxana WillisEuropean Legal Studies, Charles University Prague

23

PROBLEM SOLVING

Basic advice:• Read all the information sent to you by Kent andthe host university/British Council orschool/employer and refer to it during the year.

• If you are unable to access the Internet, let theErasmus Team know as soon as possible so thatimportant messages/forms can be sent to youby post.

• If you are not receiving information from KentErasmus Team or your host university that otherstudents have received, contact the ErasmusTeam as soon as possible.

Study placementsTurn to the host university co-ordinators and theInternational Relations/Erasmus Office for adviceand assistance in the first instance. This isparticularly important for problems involving coursesand exams. Always let the Erasmus Team at Kentknow of any serious problems as soon as theyoccur. Copy any relevant correspondence to theTeam and keep staff up-to-date with the situation. Inthe case of serious medical problems, make sureyou get a doctor’s note.

If you have a serious academic problem or concern,you should notify the relevant co-ordinator at Kentimmediately.

Work placementsAssistants should speak to their mentor at the schoolin the first instance and then the local authority.Please notify the Erasmus Team of any ongoingproblems but please note that you should try toresolve issues locally:• www.britishcouncil.org/languageassistants-looking-after-yourself.htm

Students on other work placements should contacttheir staff mentor/contact who may be able to offeradvice and support. If a problem cannot be solvedlocally, contact the Erasmus Team.

You must follow the employer or school’s proceduresfor notifying them about illness or unexpectedabsence (eg due to a bereavement). You may berequired to obtain a medical certificate forprolonged ill health.

Important notePlease do not assume that staff will guess that youhave a problem or worry! It is important to speak toyour mentor, exchange co-ordinator and/or theErasmus Team about it.

Don’t wait until a problem has got out of hand beforespeaking to someone! Many problems can besorted out quickly once the Erasmus Team,employer or school are involved.


“Colombia is such a wonderfulcountry full of amazinglyfriendly people and beautifullandscape. I guess the part Ienjoyed the most was beingsomewhere so different to what Iwas used to. I also really enjoyedteaching and plan on applyingwith the British Council againonce I graduate.”

Sam O’DwyerBA in English and American Literature and SpanishAssistantship

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APPENDIX I – Year Abroad Regulations

Please ensure that you are familiarwith the following regulations.Satisfactory completion of the yearabroad is a condition for entry into thefourth year.

In order to complete the year satisfactorily, you must:

1 Be aware of and comply with the regulationsregarding year abroad marks.

2 Be resident in the approved place for therequisite period. The formal requirement is thatyou spend a full academic year abroadaccording to the academic calendar of the hostinstitution or school (employer). Workplacements should be of 30 weeks duration ormore. Obviously short visits home arepermissible. If a major personal difficulty seemsto require a longer absence you must get intouch with the Erasmus Team and, if possible,receive confirmation of approval before acting.

3 Satisfy any requirements that go with yourplacement. Follow university courses seriouslyand take all exams wherever possible. Assistantsand students on work placements are expectedto carry out their duties conscientiously and tocomply with all instructions given by theauthorities in their school or their employer.

4 Conduct yourself, whether in a University, schoolor work placement, in a manner consistent withthe norms of your Host University, school oremployer and in a manner that will reflectcreditably on the University of Kent.

5 Promptly notify the Erasmus Team of any seriousproblems during the Year, whether academic orotherwise, which are affecting or may affect yourstudies/work.

10 If dividing the year transfer promptly to yoursecond institution.

11 Submit any work required of you by Kent by thedue date.

12 Obtain a copy of the Transcript of yourExamination marks from your Host Universityand pass it on to the Erasmus Team on yourreturn to Kent or submit any required work withinthe deadline. This is your responsibility.

6 Not leave behind you any debts or otherliabilities.

7 Where applicable meet the member of stafffrom the University of Kent who may visit youduring the course of the year.

8 Keep the Erasmus Team informed of youraddress and complete and return the forms sentto you.

9 Provide information on your placement for futurestudents by means of a questionnaire sent bythe Erasmus Team.


CONTINUED OVERLEAF

“It’s fantastic! Vienna is anamazing city and I am lovingeverything about the yearabroad: the people, the work, thecity, the travel opportunities, thechance to learn some moreGerman. I would recommendthis opportunity to everyone.”

Olivia ChambersEuropean Legal Studies, University of Vienna

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APPENDIX II – Academic Co-ordinators at Kent

APPENDIX IIIErasmus+

The Erasmus Team in Kent’s International Development is responsible for thenon-academic side of the Year Abroad. Academic queries should be addressed tothe relevant co-ordinator listed below. If you have problems in contacting yourco-ordinator, the Erasmus Team will be happy to pursue this on your behalf.

What is Erasmus+?Erasmus+ is the new European Union programmewhich aims to increase “skills and employabilitythrough education, training youth and sport.”Source European Commissionhttp://ec.europa.eu/education/opportunities/index_en.htm

Part of the programme focuses on promotingstudent mobility within the EU, EFTA-EEA andcandidate countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Hungary, Ireland,Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Swedenand Turkey

Students who undertake a study or work placementin an eligible country can receive an Erasmus grant(see page 15).

Erasmus study placementsThe University of Kent has signed Erasmus+exchange agreements with partner universities inmany eligible countries. Partner universities agree tohelp Kent students with issues such as findingaccommodation and academic/administrativesupport. Study placements must last a minimum of 3months in order to be eligible for the Erasmus grant.

Erasmus work placementsIf your work placement has been approved by theUniversity of Kent, will take place in an eligiblecountry and will last longer than 2 months, you willbe eligible for the Erasmus grant. British CouncilLanguage assistantships in Austria, Belgium,France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland areeligible for Erasmus.

Non-Erasmus placementsStudy and work placements, includingassistantships, outside the eligible countries are notErasmus placements so students will not receive theErasmus grant. Students will still be eligible for theirnormal Student Finance funding. Host universitiesundertake to support students in the same way asErasmus universities do.


Subject Co-ordinator Email (@kent.ac.uk)

Anthropology Dr Anna Waldstein A.WaldsteinArchitecture Dr Manolo Guerci M.GuerciArts HPA, European Arts Dr Grant Pooke G.F.PookeFine Arts Professor Tim Howle T.HowleBusiness Administration/Language See appropriate languageBiosciences Dr Peter Nicholls P.J.NichollsClassics Dr Adam Bartley A.BartleyComparative Literature Dr Patricia Novillo-Corvalan P.Novillo-CorvalanComputer Science Dr Julio Hernendez-Castro J.C.Hernendez-CastroCriminology Dr Dawn Lyon D.M.LyonDrama Dr Grant Pooke G.F.PookeEconomics Dr Keitsuke Otsu K.OtsuEnglish Literature Dr Ariane Mildenberg A.MildenbergEnglish Language and Linguistics Dr Jeremy Scott J.D.ScottFilm Studies Dr Grant Pooke G.F.PookeFrenchPoitiers, Grenoble 3 Dr Ana de Medeiros A.M.MedeirosParis 3 Dr James Fowler J.E.FowlerAvignon, Lyon 3, Montpellier Dr Tom Baldwin T.BaldwinCergy Pontoise, Lille 3, Namur, Reims Dr Larry Duffy W.L.DuffyNeuchâtel, Lausanne, Geneva Dr Lucy O’Meara L.E.O’MearaGerman Dr Heide Kunzelmann H.M.A.KunzelmannHispanic StudiesAlicante, Barcelona Dr Montserrat Roser-i-Puig M.Roser-i-PuigCastilla-La-Mancha (Toledo), Carlos III Madrid, Zaragoza Dr Antonio Lazaro-Reboll A.Lazaro-RebollCordoba, Deusto, Oviedo, Vigo Dr William Rowlandson W.RowlandsonORT Uruguay, Peru Dr Natalia Sobrevilla Perea N.SobrevillaHistory Professor Ulf Schmidt U.I.SchmidtInternational BusinessLyon 3 Dr Carmen Stoian C.R.Stoian; Deggendorf Dr Pam Yeow P.M.YeowLIUC Castellanza Dr Gabor Nagy G.NagyDeusto, Oviedo Dr Diogo Souza Monteiro D.M.Souza-MonteiroItalian Dr Francesco Capello F.L.CapelloLawFrance/Spain/Germany/Italy Dr Sophie Vigneron(to Aug 2014); S.Vigneron; S.Glanert

Dr Simone Glanert (from Sept 2014)European Legal Studies Martin Hedemann-Robinson M.Hedemann-RobinsonMusic Professor Tim Howle T.HowlePharmacy (Medway) Dr Natalie Lavignac N.LavignacPhilosophy Dr Julia Tanney J.TanneyPolitics and International RelationsGermany, Lille Bi-diplome Dr Adrian Pabst A.PabstSpain, Postgraduate programmes Dr Paolo Dardanelli P.DardanelliAll other countries Dr Luca Mavelli L.MavelliPsychology Dr Eduardo Vasquez E.VasquezReligious Studies Professor Jeremy Carette J.R.CarretteSociology Dr Dawn Lyon D.M.Lyon

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APPENDIX IV – European Credit Transfer System

APPENDIX V– British Consulate

The following information isapplicable for all studentsparticipating in an Erasmus exchangeprogramme.

This University has adopted the European CreditTransfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) in thecontext of our participation in the Erasmusprogramme and other European connections andactivities.

What is ECTS?ECTS was developed by the Commission of theEuropean Communities in order to provide commonprocedures to guarantee academic recognition ofstudies abroad. It provides a way of measuring andcomparing learning achievements, and transferringthem from one institution to another.

ECTS CreditsECTS credits are a value allocated to course units todescribe the student workload required to completethem. They reflect the quantity of work each courserequires in relation to the total quantity of workrequired to complete a full year of academic studyat the institution, that is lectures, practical work,seminars, private work – in the library or at home –and examinations or other assessment activities.ECTS credits express a relative value.

In ECTS, 60 credits represent the workload of a yearof study; normally 30 credits are given for asemester and 20 credits for a term. It is importantthat no special courses are set up for ECTSpurposes, but that all ECTS courses are mainstreamcourses of the participating institutions, as followedby home students under normal regulations.

It is up to the participating institutions to subdividethe credits for the different courses. Practicalplacements and optional courses which form anintegral part of the course of study also receiveacademic credit. Practical placements and optionalcourses which do not form an integral part of thecourse of study do not receive academic credit.Non-credit courses may, however, be mentioned inthe transcript of records.

Credits are awarded only when the course has beencompleted and all required examinations have beensuccessfully taken.

If you experience any seriousproblems while you are away, it isworth bearing in mind that the BritishConsulate is there for your assistance.A Consulate can provide the followingservices:

• Issue emergency passports;• Contact relatives and friends and ask them tohelp you with money or tickets;

• Advise you how to transfer funds;• Advance against a sterling cheque for £50supported by a banker’s card;

• Provide a list of local lawyers and doctors;• Give some guidance on organisationsexperienced in tracing missing persons;

• If you are arrested on a serious offence, insist onthe British Consulate being informed. (You will becontacted as soon as possible by a consularofficer who can advise on local procedures etc.)

• If you lose your money, passport or anything elseabroad, report it first to the local police and obtaina statement about the loss. Then contact theConsulate if you still need help.

• Some offer a lending library facility – or may knowof one – for reading material in English.

The British Consulate’s mandate is to help BritishCitizens abroad but they do not dispose of unlimitedresources. They are able to give advice and/or referyou to the relevant office where you can find moredetailed information. They cannot do the work ofbanks, travel agents, etc. The level of help in eachcity varies – some consular officials are more readyto oblige than others. The British Consulate cannotbail you out if you run into trouble with the localauthorities. It can, however, notify relevant partieswho will be able to help you.

You can find details of the British Embassy andconsulates in your host country online at:www.gov.uk/government/world

ECTS studentsThe students participating in ECTS will receive fullcredit for all academic work successfully carried outat an ECTS partner institution and they will be ableto transfer these academic credits from oneparticipating institution to another on the basis ofprior agreement on the content of studyprogrammes abroad between students and theinstitutions involved.

The ECTS grading scaleExamination and assessment results are usuallyexpressed in grades. However, many differentgrading systems co-exist in Europe. Interpretation ofgrades varies considerably from one country toanother, if not from one institution to another.

The ECTS grading scale has thus been developed inorder to help institutions translate the gradesawarded by host institutions to ECTS students. Itprovides information on the student’s performanceadditional to that provided by the institution’s grade;it does not replace the local grade. Higher educationinstitutions make their own decisions on how toapply the ECTS grading scale to their own system.

1 Each institution awards marks/grades on thebasis of its normal procedures and system andthese marks form part of the student transcript.

2 The ECTS scale is designed as a “facilitatingscale” to improve transparency but not to interferewith the normal process of awarding marks withineach institution or attempt to impose uniformity.The ECTS grading scale ranks the students on astatistical basis.

3 Within the broad parameters set out below eachinstitution makes its own decision on the preciseapplication of the scale.


CONTINUED OVERLEAF

ECTS GRADING SYSTEM

ECTS Grade % of successful studentsnormally achieving the grade

A 10

B 25

C 30

D 25

E 10

A distinction is made between the grades FX and F that are

FX used for unsuccessful students.F FX means “fail-some more work

required to pass”, and F means “fail-considerable further work required”.

28

APPENDIX VI – Embassies in the UK

Argentinian EmbassyT: 020 7318 1340 (09.30-13.00)E: [email protected]/

Austrian EmbassyT: 020 73443250www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassy/london

Belgian EmbassyT: 020 74703700E: [email protected]/london

Czech EmbassyT: 020 7243 1115E: [email protected] www.mzv.cz/london/

Danish EmbassyT: 020 7333 0200 (3-4pm)E: [email protected]://storbritanien.um.dk

Dutch EmbassyT: 020 75903200E: [email protected]://unitedkingdom.nlembassy.org/

French EmbassyT: 020 7073 1000E: [email protected]/

Finnish EmbassyT: 020 7838 6200 E: [email protected]/

German EmbassyT: 020 7824 1300 (student visas)www.london.diplo.de

Italian EmbassyT: 020 7312 2200E: [email protected]/Ambasciata_Londra

Norwegian EmbassyT: 020 7591 5500E: [email protected]

Peruvian EmbassyT: 020 7235 1917E: [email protected]

Polish EmbassyT: 020 7291 3520 E: [email protected]/en/

Spanish EmbassyT: 020 7589 8989E: [email protected]/embajadas/londres/en

Swedish EmbassyT: 020 79176400E: [email protected]/en-gb/embassies/london

Swiss EmbassyT: 020 76166000www.swissembassy.org.uk/London

Uruguay EmbassyT: 020 7584 4200 E: [email protected]


29

APPENDIX VII – University of Kent contact details

Accommodation OfficeT: +44 (0)1227 766660 (Direct line)E: [email protected]

Financial Aid OfficeT: +44 (0)1227 823488 or 824876E: [email protected]

International Development(Erasmus Team)T: + 44 (0)1227 827818 or 824042F: + 44 (0)1227 827115E: [email protected]/goabroad

Medical CentreT: +44 (0)1227 469333www.kent.ac.uk/medical

Student Income OfficeT: +44 (0)1227 824242 or 823953E: [email protected]/finance

Student Records Office(for lost ID cards, etc)T: +44 (0)1227 824884E: [email protected]/student-records/index.html

Student Support (Support for disabilities and specific learningdifficulties)T: +44 (0)1227 823158 E: [email protected]/studentsupport/

Student Wellbeing T: +44 (0)1227 823206E: [email protected] www.kent.ac.uk/studentwellbeing/

University Switchboard+44 (0)1227 764000

For queries relating to your degree programme,final year modules, concessions, etc, please contact:

Faculty of Scienceswww.kent.ac.uk/stms/

ComputingE: [email protected] or [email protected]

Pharmacywww.msp.ac.uk/contact/index.html

Humanities and Social SciencesUndergraduate Office E: [email protected]/humanities/www.kent.ac.uk/socsci/


The RegistryUniversity of KentCanterburyKent CT2 7NZ, UKT: + 44 (0)1227 827818 or 824042F: + 44 (0)1227 827115E: [email protected]


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