Useful Information for Newcomers
RECOMMENDED THINGS TO DO/GET IN CYPRUS BEFORE YOU LEAVE
1. Do all the required vaccines (emvolia) and get an appropriate confirmation letter from your doctor.
2. Issue health card (E-111) from Ministry of Health in Cyprus, unless covered by international Health Insurance e.g. Laiki Health Insurance.
3. Apply for EU student loan at www.studentsupportdirect.co.uk and find appropriate form, unless it has already been sent to you through UCAS
4. Take passport photos and ALWAYS have them with you
5. Buy sewing kit?! (difficult to find in London)
RECOMMENDED THINGS TO DO/GET IN LONDON WHEN YOU ARRIVE
1. Set up bank account (have with you letters from bills / halls / college that include certification of home address, term address, period of study. HSBC, Nat West, Barclays. LAIKI Trapeza, Trapeza Kiprou (UK branches)
2. Get "Pay as you GO" UK sim card.
3. Get normal Oyster card (transport) and apply for STUDENT Oyster card at KCL Student Union-this may be done online and takes approximately 2 weeks (2 pass photos + £5).
4. Register with NHS at Health Centre in Strand or at a local GP.
5. Make contract with a Mobile Phone Company, after the bank account is set, (have the documentation mentioned above. O2 (free international Calls), Vodaphone (good deals on minutes), Orange (good phones), 3 (new company, special offers) or any other. Go at CARPHONE WAREHOUSE or PHONES 4 U or at specific company shop.
6. Set up internet as soon as possible if not provided at accommodation.
7. Attend your fresher's fair as this will give you information on the university's social life and extracurricular activities which you should involve yourself with for experience and CV requirements!
8. Join our facebook group! :)
Depending on individual student :
9. Linen or any other things for apartment e.g. shelves, pillow, airbed, cutlery, pans if you are planning to have guests from ARGOS, ASDA very cheap
10. Stationery (from RYMANS or WHSmith)
11. Electronics e.g. printer, speakers, iPOD (from ARGOS, PC World or Tottenham Court Road and of course the INTERNET)
PLEASE NOTE that ALL the things mentioned above to do in Cyprus and UK are only RECOMMENDED and NOT compulsory. Give priority to your College studies and needs. From experience we believe that the above things, as early as you do them, will save you money, time and make your life in London easier and prevent sudden/unfortunate incidents from occurring.
PLEASE REMEMBER to join King's College London Cypriot Society by paying £5 membership fee at any KCL student union shop.
