Emory Student Guide to Queen Mary University of London, Essays (high school) of Teaching method

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The Emory

Student Guide to

Queen Mary

University

Emily Gaines (‘16C )

My name is Emily Gaines and I am

a history major and a sociology

minor. I studied abroad at Queen

Mary University, University of

London (QMUL) in the fall of

2014. I’ve compiled this guide

with some general information

about the university and its

application process, as well as

what to expect once you arrive in

London. I hope you find it helpful!

Meet the Author

Financing Your Study Abroad Experience

During your time abroad, you will remain enrolled as a full-time Emory student and as such,

you will continue to pay Emory tuition. The difference between cost of attendance at Emory

and in London is the living costs. Below is the current CIPA Budget Sheet.

Emory Tuition (billed through Emory OPUS system): $23,

Non-Academic Program Costs (housing): $3,

*This will vary depending on what dorm you apply to live in.

Airfare: $1,

Visa: $

*Students planning to study abroad (and not work) in London for less than 6 months do not

need to apply for a Visa.

Books: $

*Many classes provide student handbooks which will limit how much money you spend on

books.

Personal Expenses : $2,

Local Transportation : $

Meals: $1,

Scholarships

Students are eligible to carry existing financial aid and scholarships on Emory– approved

study abroad programs. Students may also be eligible to

apply for the following scholarships:

 Gilman Scholarship

 Lord Acton Memorial Scholarship

 BUTEX North American Scholarship

 CIPA Travel Grant

Living Accommodations

QMUL houses approximately 2,000 students on its Mile End campus. Students are placed in

co-ed self catering residences. The majority of students that choose to live on campus are

either first year students and study abroad students.

For the list of accommodations available to study abroad students visit their website at:

http://www.residences.qmul.ac.uk/college/qmaccommodation/mileendug/index.html

*Note: Housing fees vary by dormitory.

Residences typically include:

 Twin size bed, closet, desk and chair, storage space and bookshelves

 Personal refrigerator

 Wifi

 Central heating

 Communal kitchens with refrigerators/freezers, oven, microwave, cupboards and dining

areas

 Cleaning of communal areas (Mon-Fri)

 Laundry machines in, or near, all residence halls

What’s not included :

 Bedding and Towels

 Pots and pans, cooking utensils, and cutlery

A typical bedroom and bathroom at Pooley House.

Getting There:

Tips on packing and airport transportation

What to pack?

Before you begin to throw your entire wardrobe into your suitcase, remember that you will have to be able to carry everything you bring. That being said, try not to over pack (too much)!

Essential items:

 Adapters and converters: Keep in mind that the outlets in England are different to those in Europe.

 Comfortable walking shoes

 Raincoat and/or umbrella

 Medicine: Bring any medicine you can’t live without when you get sick (ex. Dayquil, Benadryl…)

 Small travel bag (preferably with wheels): If you plan to travel, make sure you’re bag adheres to the size allowance requested by the budget airlines.

Things to purchase once you arrive in London:

 School Supplies

 Bedding/Towels

 Hot tools: I’d suggest leaving your straightener at home and purchasing one once you arrive. The standard voltage in the UK is much stronger than the US so there’s a good change you’ll blow a fuse. **Note: The Westfield Mall is only one tube stop away from Mile End! (Stratford)

Transportation from the Airport to Queen Mary:

1. On move in day, Queen Mary will provide bus shuttles from Heathrow International Airport to the Mile End campus. Look out for an email from Queen Mary with more information!
2. Heathrow Express: Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station and transfer to the London underground.
3. Cab service: Be mindful that London cabs can be quite expensive!

Miscellaneous

Gym Access:

In order to use the gym facilities at Queen Mary, you must purchase a gym membership. There are three types of memberships: Peak, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak. For more information about the facility and student prices, visit their website at: http://www.qmsu.org/qmotion/membership/students/

Emory Outings:

Anneka Reid organizes several outings each semester for Emory students studying abroad in England. I strongly recommend attending as many of these events as you can. You will see some interesting sights that you probably wouldn't have thought to do on your own. Plus, they’re free!

Some of the excursions during my semester abroad included Hampton Court Palace, Stratford-upon- Avon, a football match (QPR vs. Aston Villa) , Thanksgiving dinner, Pantomime: Mother Goose, and Kew Gardens.

FOR FALL STUDENTS ONLY : Fresher's Week

Fresher’s week is filled with tons of activities for students to get acquainted with the city, the school and

fellow classmates. I’d recommend attending as many of these events as you can. They’re fun and

provide a great way to meet new people!

1. Grab a Bite at the Historic Borough Market

If you’re a foodie like me, Borough Market is a must! With over 100 food stands, you’ll be overwhelmed trying to decide what to eat!

2. Visit the Many Museums in London

You don’t have to be an admirer of art to appreciate the impressive collections in many of London’s most well known museums. As a history buff, my favorites in- cluded the Imperial War Museum and The Churchill War Rooms. However, Tate Modern, the British Museum and the National Gallery were fantastic too! Note: The majority of museums in London are free!

3. Attend a Debate at Parliament

Queue up to watch parliament while it’s in session. While it might be difficult to follow the debate, the theatrics make it all worth it. In addition to getting to see the parliamentary procedure, I met some real- ly interesting lobbyists.

For more information and visiting hours visit: http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/visiting-and-tours/ watch-committees-and-debates/

4. Stroll Through London’s Picturesque Parks

London has no shortage of green space. Not only do these parks provide an escape from the city, there are many special events to attend throughout the year. If you’re in London during the winter, make sure to stop by Hyde Park for Winter Wonderland! For other events, check out the parks’ websites and TimeOut magazine.

5. Roam around Brick Lane and Shoreditch

This area has so much personality and endless things to do. Enjoy the street art, eat some Indian food on Brick Lane, and shop in the many quirky boutiques. Plus, this area is home to two personal favorites, the Cereal Killer Café and Baigel Bake!

Top Ten Things to Do While Studying in London

Traveling Outside of London

Traveling outside of London is a very popular activity for students to take advantage of on weekends

and during their Reading Week/Spring Break. While studying in London, I traveled to several places

in both Western and Eastern Europe.

Here are some of the tips/reminders I wish people had shared before I left:

1. Bring a small bag for these weekend getaways… preferably with wheels! I’d recommend review-

ing the baggage guidelines for each of the low cost carriers (EasyJet, Ryanair…)

2. Consider how you will get to the airport before you book a flight. Some airports in London are a

little more challenging to get to than others. If you plan to leave before public transportation

opens, you may get stuck taking a very expensive cab ride.

3. Use Airbnb. This is a great alternative to hotels and hostels.

4. Research the city you are traveling to before you get there. Determine some of the things you

don’t want to miss. It’s also a good idea to educate yourself on some of the customs of the city,

as well as how public transportation operates.

5. Bring a copy of your visa and passport with you. Also be mindful that every time you leave

England, you will be expected to show documentation (i.e. acceptance letter) in order to reenter

the country.

6. Get currency at a local ATM. Do not exchange cash at airports or Travelex counters.

7. Always be sure to secure all of your valuables. If a safe is available, use it! If you’re staying some-

where that provides a locker, be sure to bring a lock.

8. Always inquire if there is a student discount. You’ll be surprised how much money you can save.

9. Be a smart traveler. Know what’s going on in the country you are traveling. This includes social

and cultural customs, as well as any relevant political news. It’s always good to be informed!

10. Lastly, though I highly recommend traveling outside of the UK, don’t forget to spend time in

London. After all, you did choose to study abroad there!