Im doin semester in wales in the fall and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on things i should bring, do, etc....

6/22/2006 2:21:43 PM

drive to england

6/22/2006 2:34:20 PM

I went to Wales over Thanksgiving break in 2003 and absolutely loved it.

The "Cardiff Indoor Arena" or whatever it may be called now in downtown Wales is one of the nicest venues (maybe THE nicest) I've ever been to. Musical acts sound incredible in it...definitely check out shows there. The downtown shopping district is really nice, a tad pricey (but you can't expect much when you're using British Pounds), but very enjoyable.

Make sure to visit at least some of the castles in Wales...take a digicam and load up your memory card daily. There's a train station downtown as well (you'll discover that downtown Cardiff is the "hub" of all of Wales) that'll take you to London in just a few hours. Cab fare from the small Wales airport to downtown Cardiff ran me 40 pounds (OUCH!) so be aware that trains are a much better deal if you can get one.

Also, check out http://www.ryanair.com because flights from the Cardiff airport to places like Ireland and such are STUPID cheap. I think I paid like 35 pounds for a roundtrip ticket from Cardiff to Dublin in '03.

PLEASE visit outside of Wales; although Wales is gorgeous, travel is so cheap (that's the only thing that is) that seeing London, Ireland, and other parts of the UK/EU is a must-do. The guided tours are actually worthwhile (unlike in America) as you get genuine country-lovers that guide you rather than in America we get someone who cares less about their job.

Make sure you have several power converters that will actually work; for my Apple laptop I got the "World Power Kit" so I could charge my laptop using their outlets. You'll need one for your cell phone and such as well if you're using it over there. My recommendation is buy a HUGE calling card. Sam's club has great deals on massive calling cards that can be used overseas.

Make sure your passport is up-to-date, and definitely take your NCSU Student ID. Like half the "attractions" I did over there (castles, tours, etc.) gave me like 15%+ off just for having a student ID. Make sure you flash your passport around while waiting in line to board a plane and take notice of all the Brits around you just oohing and ahhhing over it. Seriously, we forget how awesome it is to be an American and people over there will spark conversations out of amazement if they've never been here based on the news stories they hear about the "land of opportunity". Good way to meet folks.

If you're 18 you can drink alcohol legally there...don't go too wild. The streets of downtown Cardiff are a bit scary at night. I was out at 3:00am one morning and a guy ended up following me...so I quickly made a u-turn and headed back to the hotel. Food over there is good, on the whole, but definitely is different in some cases (like how they cook eggs). Go to the huge giant theatre in downtown London (I forget the name); it's the largest screen-theatre in the world. It's like 14 pounds per ticket, but wow...I saw "Master & Commander" on it and it was wild.

I've heard the UK does schooling way different and more laid-back. For example, they get ONE WHOLE MONTH off for Easter. Yes, their Easter Break is 1 month long. Their entire academic calendar is usually shorter than ours.

Have SOMETHING to do on the plane to Wales...good heavens that is a long flight. iPod, laptop, creative writing, anything. The plane ride there is painfully long.

That's all I got right now, enjoy yourself...it's a great place!

6/22/2006 2:42:08 PM

Hahaha


bloody Welsh...

6/22/2006 3:41:32 PM

Get a BritRail pass that allows unlimited use of the train for any eight days that you choose if you get the eight day pass. It is good anywhere in Britain. It's about $200.00, but well worth it since a train ride from Swansea to London costs 40 pounds. You can get one online or from STA in Chapel Hill.

http://www.thetrainline.com/default.asp?href=&T2ID=6954_2006622205436 is a site that gives train arrivals and departure times.

6/22/2006 4:00:45 PM

Damn, I want to go to Wales. Maybe it's because I want to see some castles... and maybe because Christian Bale is from Wales and he's hot.

Hope you have a good time at least!

6/23/2006 2:59:13 PM

I would love to visit there

6/25/2006 3:23:32 PM

Quote :

"Go to the huge giant theatre in downtown London (I forget the name); it's the largest screen-theatre in the world"

i'm guessing the IMAX

6/26/2006 2:12:47 AM

Nah, I remember...it's called the "Odeon".

6/26/2006 6:22:55 AM

^No it is just really big.

6/26/2006 11:24:33 AM

any people who have done study abroad have any suggestions or things i should remember?

6/29/2006 2:23:59 PM

I studied in Bristol (about 30-45 from Cardiff) for a year, make sure to make it down to Bristol for the Ballon Festival (if you'll be there in August), Ashton Ct. Festival (if you're there again, though this is in July I beleive), and def. make it to Bristol at sme point anyway... see: John Cabot Tower (up on Park St.) - Park St., go to the waterfront and either eat/drink at The River or Eshed.. if you're looking for nights out Timbuk2, The Thekla (though this is changing management soon - boo ), The Arc Bar, Native, or The Fez Club WILL have something on that suits your taste no matter what night of the week.

Hort's has amazing cider, and you have GOT to go to the Coronation Tap for a 1/2 pint of the (quite famous) Exhibition cider, watchout though as it's quiet strong (and I mean REALLY strong).

The Suspensio Bridge is amazing to see, as well as going to the observatory and climbing down through the tunnel(s) in the cliffs, you can see all through Avon Gorge and its so pretty its insane.

I'm not sure what exctly there is to do IN cardiff, though I've heard nothing but lovely things and 've got a few friends there, I'll ask around .

Then there's the usual traveling-type student stuff... basically fi you need anything or want to know something hit me up. I'm happy to help.

6/29/2006 2:54:16 PM

i did the semester in wales in the fall of 2005 and had the time of my life at Swansea University

bring travelers cheques, in case your wallet gets stolen until you can replace your cards

you really dont need any kind of eurorail pass for travel, flights are cheap, got a flight to rome and return for a dollar (plus tax of course, so like 10-15 pounds)

incuded in your tutition will be a bus pass for the term, it is GOLD do not lose it, they wont replace it - it gets you to and from the city centre.

you will be there early for the pre-sessional with abt 30 other americans. we all got very close and lots of great friendships came from the other americans.

the pubs are awesome - even in swansea and the mumbles, try and go to every one.

you must go to the clubs: time, envy, jumpin jacks, eden, the one on campus

and the white rose pub

Wind street in swansea is where its at, i met so amyn cool people and had a blast.

pvt me if you want any more info. i took tons of pics and videos of all the places i traveled

6/30/2006 5:23:45 PM

You know of any important things to bring?

7/6/2006 2:42:46 PM

check out uk-yankee.com for advice on what to bring/not to bring. They also have a student message board so you can seek advice from other "been there, done that" students It's helpful.

As far as what to BRING:

I brought my clothes, my toiletries, and my favorite pillow.

You can go to Wilkinsons for all bed/bath/kitchen stuff, and it's quite cheap (perhaps like 30 squid total for my kitchen stuff and bed stuff?). No need to bring that over on the plane.

Bring any favorite favorite favorite food you may have, the only two things I got shipped over were Kraft mac n cheese (the one in the blue box) and york peppermint patties. Mainly the kraft as I could find other chocolate and mint combos (like after 8s's - they're amazing).

As far as NOT to bring: don't bring anything electric unless you can buy a converter - I was in the "mac laptop" boat as well, and just bought the world travel adaptor pack - worked a treat.

I'd leave any hairdryer/eletric toothbrush/curling iron/alarm clock/etc at home - no need for them when you can buy them for quite cheap in the UK.

Also, regarding cell phones: you CAN get a contract if you REALLY want, mine was through Orange and was fine. However, since you're only there for a semester, I'd suggest getting a pay-as-you-go.. check craigslist for a cheap(ish) phone, or just buy one from the store. You can get a sim card there and stick it in the phone, works a treat and you don't have a monthly bill to worry about... you'll want a cell though as you will be there for 6 months, so i'd suggest looking into that. I used Orange (still do actually, have a pay as you go stuck in my UK phone in the states, handy for vacations!) and had no complains, 3g is another company, just go into your local shopping area and look for a carphone warehouse shop or an orange/3g/t-mobile shop - they'll all have specials on and such so you can pick and choose.

Banking will probably be your most difficult thing to get sorted, I know mine was. I banked with NatWest until I got the hookup with an HSBC account (my bosses ex-husband is a big-wig) - I prefer HSBC, but NatWest served me just fine as well . You'll have to get used to carrying a bit of cash with you as not all places take your solo card, but it's fine really - most do Just bring all your money over (save like $100) in travelers cheques, get the $100 changed at the airport and you're golden. You can get the cheques cashed before you get an account, and you can stop in and get an account that day if you have all the proper paperwork (that was my issue).

GET A YOUNG PERSONS RAILCARD. Seriously, wehn you get your train ticket at the airport (unless you're flying into Cardiff) - get one ASAP. Theyr'e 25 squid I believe, but they save you LOADS, mine is good until July of next year and when I go back for xmas or in the spring I'm going to renew it (if I can, if not then next trip).

You can look online at thetrainline.com (or is it .co.uk?) to see how different the fares are, get used to that website - it'll be your friend

ryanair, easyjet - always safe bets for airfare.

GO TO BRISTOL, GO TO THE CORONATION TAP, AND HAVE SOME CIDER. You have GOT to do this while you're in Cardiff, for freakin' serious. Hell, if you're still there when I visit - I'll even bring you.

7/6/2006 3:13:41 PM

OH

and make copies of all your visa application stuffs, important bank cards (I just copied the contents of my wallet), your passport AND your visa (if you have to have one, you don't if you're there for less than 6 months) and keep one at home, and one with you on the plane in your carryon. Once you move in, put these in a safe place. Invaluable if you lose anything (I never did, thank god)

Also find out about your health insurances international policy, though you should be covered under the NHS if you get sick while you're there as you're a student. Just cover both bases just in case

Invest in a messenger bag if you tend to carry lots of stuff, much easier than swtiching things to and from a backpack, though backpacks work as well.

If you don't have agood pair (or 3) of sneakers, buy some. you'll be walking loads.

Also, "spit-roasting" is not the same as what it is here, neither is "double-fisting" - learn from my mistakes and don't talk about those things in a crowded pub/bar. If you want to know what I was told they mean, PM me

AND - if you say hi to someone and they respond "alright" - it's not a question, it's just a common greeting.

This sounds really stupid, but be prepared to see and perhaps learn some Welsh, the bigger cities aren't too bad about being English-friendly, but in recent years there has been a huge surge in Welsh pride, and in a lot of the smaller towns English is spoken as a 2nd language. You'll be fine, but Welsh looks really weird and is hard as hell to pronounce, so just be aware - try and learn some though .

AND please please please please... being American is all well and good, but meet some Welsh people, meet some English people, and really absorb the culture. Go for a curry (MUST-DO!), have a kebab on your way home from a drunk night out, drink some cider, learn that tea is a magical drink that fixes everything ("aw bless, your mum just died? want a cuppa?"), and don't just stick with the traditional "american" food at the grocery store... hobnobs are brilliant (especially dipped in tea), curry is amazing (indian yes I know but it's a very english tradition), lamb with mint sauce is fucking great, there are more etc....

you're in a foreign country for the better part of half of a year, don't just stick in your safe zone with americans you know and never actually experience it.. get out there - meet new people, and truly experience and learn about where you live

<3

I knew ONE amercian my entire time in England, and I only met him through an English friend - spoke with him once. It got to the point that when I was in London for business I could play a mean game of "spot the Americans" - kind of fun once you realize the little things that "define" us

7/6/2006 3:20:54 PM

anything else?]

7/12/2006 1:42:57 AM

^ you have any more questions?

7/12/2006 6:25:49 AM

hahaha majrshorty I remember when we were freshmen in Owen and you came down asking me a bunch of questions about the homeland... it seems that you have become quite the expert now.

7/12/2006 9:13:53 AM

Quote :

"you really dont need any kind of eurorail pass for travel, flights are cheap, got a flight to rome and return for a dollar (plus tax of course, so like 10-15 pounds)"

Are you kidding? That seems unbelievably cheap.


lamb with mint sauce? I think I just creamed my pants.

7/12/2006 10:08:34 AM

ryanair.com

7/12/2006 10:46:05 AM

^^Yeah lamb is usually rare over here in America, but in the British Isles (and most of Europe) it is just as common as beef or chicken. Lamb lunchmeat ftw!

7/12/2006 1:08:15 PM

that's sound great plus I really love mint

7/12/2006 3:05:43 PM

anyone goin though?

8/15/2006 1:29:33 AM

@ wraith - yeah - I'd been once then - moved for the entirety of my junior year, though i went in dec and april before I moved, then dec and march again (was dating/engaged to a british guy)

planning on seriously considering moving back to the UK once I qualify for an HSMP visa (2 years of employment full-time after graduating from college making 27K GBP or more for both years), and depending on how this merger goes at work - I might just move for 6 months and use the BUNAC card I have.

<3 your country. (<3 mine too, but <3 yours more)

8/15/2006 2:51:51 PM