Study Abroad - 2021 UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - UWEC Study Abroad
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN EAU CLAIRE
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Study Abroad
UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW,
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
2021
Program GuideTABLE OF CONTENTS Local Resources for Victims of Sexual
Violence ............................................................ 12
Academics .............................................................. 5
Emergency Contacts ...................................... 12
Pre-departure Planning ..................................... 5
911 Equivalent in the UK ............................... 12
Graduate Courses ............................................. 5
Marijuana and other Illegal Drugs ................ 13
Registration at Glasgow .................................... 5
Required Documents .......................................... 13
Class Attendance ............................................... 5
Visa ................................................................... 13
Glasgow & UWEC Transcripts......................... 5
Why Can’t I fly through Ireland? ................... 13
UK Academic System ....................................... 5
Visas for Travel to Other Countries .............. 13
Semester Students Service-Learning ............. 8
Packing Tips ........................................................ 14
Money Matters........................................................ 8
Weather ............................................................ 14
Cost Estimate ..................................................... 8
Clothing............................................................. 14
Uni of Glasgow Withdrawal/Refund Policy –
Getting To Scotland ............................................ 14
Summer Students .............................................. 8
Travel Arrangements ...................................... 14
Housing Costs .................................................... 8
Immigration ...................................................... 14
Currency Exchange ........................................... 9
Buying a Changeable Ticket ......................... 15
Cost of Living ...................................................... 9
Getting to Glasgow ......................................... 15
Funds upon Arrival............................................. 9
Early Arrivals .................................................... 15
Bank Accounts ................................................... 9
Settling In ............................................................. 15
Credit Cards and ATMs .................................... 9
Orientation ........................................................ 15
Traveler’s Checks .............................................. 9
On-Site Support............................................... 15
BUTEX North American Scholarship
Programme ....................................................... 10 Campus Activities/Organizations .................. 16
Health & Safety .................................................... 10 Community Involvement ................................ 16
Centers for Disease Control ........................... 10 Housing ................................................................ 16
Vaccinations ..................................................... 10 Living Situation ................................................ 16
Medical & Mental Healthcare ......................... 10 What's Provided? ............................................ 17
CISI Insurance in the UK ................................ 10 Laundry ............................................................. 17
Services for Students with Disabilities .......... 11 Meals & Snacks............................................... 17
Intro to the UK Health System ....................... 11 Communication ................................................... 18
Safety in the U.K. ............................................. 11 Time Difference ............................................... 18
Hiking ................................................................. 11 Email/Internet Access..................................... 18
Sexual Harassment and “Lad Culture” in the Video Chatting/Online Apps .......................... 18
UK ...................................................................... 12 Calling from the U.S. ...................................... 18Snail Mail ........................................................... 18 Where am I going? UK, England, or Great Travel While Abroad ............................................ 19 Britain?.............................................................. 19 Independent Travel .......................................... 19 The Government ............................................. 20 Train ................................................................... 19 Contact Information ............................................ 21 Bus ..................................................................... 19 Web Information: Glasgow ................................ 22 Ferry ................................................................... 19 City .................................................................... 22 Air ....................................................................... 19 Culture .............................................................. 22 Cultural Notes ....................................................... 19 Country ............................................................. 22
Congratulations on being accepted by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC) to
the study abroad semester or summer program at the University of Glasgow. Living and studying in a
new culture is both an exciting and a challenging experience. Past participants of study abroad report
that the many advantages of international study include:
Gaining new perspectives on a chosen academic field
Increasing understanding of different cultures
Enhancing personal development
Developing different perspectives on U.S. culture
Gaining self-confidence and independence
Learning skills for the future international job market
It is up to you to determine how you can best benefit from these possible advantages. This is your
adventure!
Use this program-specific guide with the more general resources in your BlugoldsAbroad account.
While this guide contains the information available at the time of publication, it is impossible for any
single resource to answer all of your questions. Your peer advisor will email information throughout the
semester, and we encourage you to do your own research, also, using the web resources listed
towards the end of this guide, as well as others that you find. Contact the Center for International
Education (CIE) staff or your peer advisor with your specific questions.
Questions only you can answer include:
1) What are YOUR goals for this experience? Advancement in a future profession, desire to expand
personal and academic horizons, need for a change, and wish to challenge yourself in a new
environment?
2) Given the way the program is set up; how can you best prepare to meet your goals? For example, if
one of your goals is truly being immersed in Scottish culture, yet you are living with other international
and U.S. students, how are you going to get out and meet the locals?
The information in this guide was current at the time of publication, though changes may occur at any
time.
4Class Attendance
ACADEMICS You are expected to attend all teaching
The Academics section of the Study Abroad
Handbook has more information on: sessions (e.g. lectures and tutorials), as
material covered in these sessions forms the
registration at UW-Eau Claire and basis for your understanding of the subject.
abroad
class attendance
credits & course-load Different departments/faculty may have specific
integrative learning attendance requirements and penalties over
transcripts and above the general university guidelines. If
service learning
you are in doubt about the attendance policy for
Pre-departure Planning your module/course, consult your lecturer.
Please see the UWEC Glasgow Page>
Academics Tab for details on how to plan your Glasgow & UWEC Transcripts
courses at Glasgow, including information on Please see the Academics section of the Study
finding courses, credits and course-load, and Abroad Handbook for important information if
grade conversion. you are graduating, transferring or applying
for a competitive major such as Nursing or
Graduate Courses Education at the end of your term abroad.
Some semester students have expressed an
interest in taking graduate courses abroad. University of Glasgow will send a transcript to
Although your Glasgow faculty advisor may not UW-Eau Claire. Transcripts are not available
have a problem with you taking graduate until two or three months after the end of
courses, UW-Eau Claire does. You will not be the Glasgow program. Due to this delay, you
granted credit for graduate courses taken will initially receive a grade report with “NR” (not
abroad unless Glasgow allows the graduate reported) for all courses. A revised report will be
course to count toward their home campus available after the grades have arrived.
undergraduate degree.
UK Academic System
Registration at Glasgow Expectation of independent learning:
You indicate on your Glasgow application which Returned students most often describe
classes you prefer to take, but semester academic life at the UK as “different.” They go
students, your registration will not actually be on to explain that while they didn’t find classes
confirmed until after you arrive in Scotland there more or less difficult than classes at
and go through orientation. home, they did need to adjust to a new way of
teaching and learning.
Summer students will apply directly to the
course(s) they want to attend. Students usually From a UK perspective, it is hard to understand
get into their first-choice course. If not, Glasgow methods used in U.S. higher education, with
will be in touch with you. lots of direction from the professors, many
small, graded assignments, and the general
"checking up" to be certain that students are
learning the assigned materials. This is how
5UK students learn in high school. Once they tell you everything you need to know for the test
enter university, they are expected to take or assignment. They provide an overview to
responsibility for their own education. allow you to place your course material or
readings in context, or to focus on a difficult
Semester Students Class meetings and concept or theory.
schedule: Most classes meet once per week
for either a three-hour lecture or two to three To take the best advantage of lectures, you
hours with a mixture of lecture and tutorial. For should keep up with course reading and
the lecture and tutorial, both sections are taught come to lecture prepared. By being
by the same professor (known as a lecturer in prepared for lecture, you will be able to
the UK system). Given that the course load is 3- engage and ask questions in the tutorials.
5 courses per term, you may find yourself
spending only 12-15 hours in class per week Tutorials/Seminars: Tutorials, or seminars as
depending on your schedule. they are also called, are NOT mini lectures.
They are active learning opportunities where
Summer Students Class meetings and the tutor and students meet to discuss the
schedule: The number of teaching hours will material covered in lecture and the reading that
vary depending on the nature and on the you are doing outside of class. For tutorials to
pedagogical objectives of the course but on be effective, they require active student
average they are between 50-80 hours. Most participation. This means you:
courses will be a mix of seminar, lecture and must have read the assigned work and
experiential learning, supplemented by directed suggested sources in advance
learning hours. Some courses will be more field should be prepared to contribute to the
based and others will be more lab based or discussion
lecture based. The specific course descriptions made note of any difficult concepts or points
go into more detail as to what you will be doing. from lecture or your readings that you do
An average day usually looks like: not understand
- 3-4 hours of lab/lecture/seminar/guided should be willing to raise issues for
visit discussion
- 2-3 directed learning hours to prepare
for assessment and other preparatory Tutorials are not optional. Attendance is kept,
exercises and absences are noted. Tutorials also allow for
- Optional social program activities in the closer professor/student relationships than are
evening typically found at the undergraduate level in the
U.S.
Lectures: Like in the U.S., the lecture is a
traditional method of teaching that allows Semester Students: Advance planning and
lecturers to pass important information to a independent learning: With only 12-15 hours
large number of students. However, lectures in of class time per week, you may think your time
the UK offer less opportunity for students to ask in the UK will be an academic vacation. This is
questions: questions and discussions are in the not the case. Much of the emphasis is placed
tutorial. Also, the lectures are not intended to on private study. In the British system, students
6do not say they are "studying" history, for The essays give you the opportunity to 1) show
example. They say they are "reading" the lecturer that you have done some of the
history. And that is precisely what students course reading, and 2) show the lecturer that
are expected to do: read! As one student said, you have critically thought about the material
"You will probably spend a lot less time in class you have read. Generally speaking, you will be
than you are used to, but in exchange, you are expected to present an original idea, or discuss
expected to do a lot more independent work!" opposing ideas, and come to your own
conclusion. Demonstration of clear thought and
Upon beginning a class, you will likely be given argumentation are as critical as backing up your
a (very) long reading list. This is not a required arguments with knowledgeable sources. You
reading list; it is a list of suggested readings may also take a final exam in essay format.
that will expand your knowledge of the subject
area. What you actually read from the list is In case you’re worried, take this advice from a
mostly left up to you. If you are told that “You former peer advisor: “Don't be afraid to email
may wish to look at these specific titles,” them or go to office hours! I often went to office
take that as a strong hint to read those hours to get input on essay outlines!”
books. You should also browse through
several of the others and choose two or three to Participation points: Another difference is that
read carefully. These readings will form the there are no “participation points” in the UK.
basis of your contributions to tutorial You may be penalized for not attending but you
discussions, as well as for the essays that will not earn points just for coming to class or
serve as assessment for the module. participating, as that is a basic expectation for
all students.
Differences in assignments and exams: In
the UK, you will rarely find a lecturer who Student services: Another difference to note is
makes short, weekly assignments. During the that "student services" are a relatively newer
semester, you may have to give a few concept in Scottish universities than in the U.S.
tutorial/seminar presentations, typically a The university is there to provide access to
group assignment where you and two or three academic resources. There are some student
other students need to prepare a short support units. However, universities do not
presentation about the week's topic in order to have the mission, common to most U.S.
facilitate discussion. institutions, of “student development.”
University students are considered adults who
In some courses, you may not hand in any work will work their way through the system, asking
until the last few weeks of the term. At this questions when necessary. As a newcomer to
point, you will probably be asked to hand in the system and the culture, you may need to
essays or papers, which will range in length ask questions often!
from 5-15 pages. You often receive the essay
questions with your syllabus at the beginning of In case you’re worried, take this advice from a
the semester. Start writing early! past participant: “It all sounds a lot scarier than
it really is. The keys are keeping up with
reading, participating in class discussions, and
7explaining everything in papers/exams in detail, you go to Glasgow, since you will not know the
because you’re not just telling the lecturers necessary details of the project.
what they already know, you’re trying to
convince them of your viewpoint. If you are lost,
by all means, talk to your instructors. They are
very helpful to international students.”
MONEY MATTERS
UWEC information about
making payments
Books
when they are due
The main thing to remember is that there
withdrawal, cancellation and refund
usually is not one specific text. Students are deadlines
given reading lists and are free to choose any financial aid,
of them to prepare for class and/or to write the general scholarships
essay or exam. The only exceptions are budgeting
literature classes. Students often share books ways to bring money abroad
with other students or check them out from the is found on the following websites:
library. Past students have suggested Fund Your Experience
getting to the library early in the semester Study Abroad Handbook: Money Matters
as many books on the list will be checked
out from the library if you wait too long. Cost Estimate
The most current Cost Estimate for your
Semester Students Service-Learning program, in easily printable format, on the CIE
As a semester long student, given that you will Glasgow page. Be sure you are looking at the
most likely spend fewer hours in the classroom correct term. The cost estimate includes what
in Scotland than at UW-Eau Claire, you may you pay to UWEC, what you pay to Glasgow,
find your term abroad a good time to complete and what you pay directly to other vendors.
some service-learning.
Uni of Glasgow Withdrawal/Refund
However, to have this option, you must do the Policy – Summer Students
following before you leave the U.S.: In addition to UWEC’s policies, the University of
Glasgow has their own withdrawal and refund
Apply for A Tier IV Student Visa policies.
See the “Visa Information: UK” in your
Even though you pay your tuition fees through
BlugoldsAbroad account for details.
UWEC and therefore don’t pay the deposit that
Have A Criminal Background Check
Uni of Glasgow requires, you are responsible
Volunteer work with vulnerable populations
for the deposit if you withdraw after Glasgow’s
(i.e. children, the elderly, people with
deadline. The deposit will be charged to your
disabilities, etc.) will require a criminal UWEC CampS account. To view deadlines and
background check. read more, click here.
See the Academics section of the Study Abroad
Handbook for information on having a project
Housing Costs
approved. This must be done in advance of
Semester Students: All housing costs are paid
beginning the project but cannot be done before
directly to Glasgow. The cost of
8accommodations will depend on where you withdraw money from ATMs using your credit or
select to live. debit card.
Summer Students: Housing is guaranteed Bank Accounts
however you need to apply for and pay for it For yearlong students, it may take up to three
directly to Glasgow. Costs will vary depending weeks to open a UK bank account so be
on how long your program is. prepared with cash, debit/credit cards, and/or
traveler’s checks until then. Students studying
Currency Exchange in the UK for six months or less are not
The currency of the United Kingdom is the allowed to open an account.
pound, abbreviated GBP (Great Britain Pound)
and symbolized “£.” Just like the dollar, the Credit Cards and ATMs
pound is divided into 100 units, called “pence,” Credit cards are widely accepted in the UK. You
abbreviated “p.” Coins come in denominations will want to make sure you have either Visa or
of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 pence, as well as 1 MasterCard as those are the most widely
and 2 pounds. There are £5, £10, £20, and £50 accepted. It is strongly recommended that all of
bills. your credit/debit cards have a chip in them.
Most places in the UK have the chip reader
Scottish banks print their own versions of the technology and swiping your card is less
pound, commonly referred to as “Scottish common.
notes.” Scottish notes can be used in all parts
of the United Kingdom although a small number When withdrawing money from the ATM,
of students have reported trouble using Scottish always use caution. Make sure you notify your
notes in England. You can avoid this problem bank and credit card companies before your
by simply withdrawing money after you arrive at travel. They will want to know your travel
your destination in England. itinerary to the best that you have it planned
out. Also make a copy of all of your credit cards
You can find current exchange rates at so that in the event they are lost, stolen, or
http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/. eaten by an ATM, you have the contact
information to call and cancel.
Cost of Living
For an idea of what everyday costs you may Traveler’s Checks
encounter, check out this website: Traveler’s checks are increasingly rare and
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of- difficult to use. They generally must be cashed
living/in/Glasgow at a major bank, although, in some countries,
post offices also offer this service, and you
Funds upon Arrival must have your passport with you. Most
Glasgow recommends that you arrive in the UK banks charge a fee for cashing the checks; it
with approximately £200-£250 in British can vary widely. Before cashing a check, ASK
currency, more if you are traveling by taxis and what the fee is.
other public transport. Do not carry any more
than this in case it gets lost. You are able to
9BUTEX North American Also, our university partners in the UK have
Scholarship Programme indicated that the National Health Service has a
The British Universities Transatlantic Exchange policy of immunizing for Meningitis “C” and
Association (BUTEX) has a North American recommend that students who have not been
Scholarship Programme open to all vaccinated plan to have this done before
undergraduate students currently registered at leaving home.
an institution in the United States or Canada.
To be eligible to apply, you must have been Medical & Mental Healthcare
offered a study abroad or exchange place at a Campus Medical & Mental Health Services:
UK university with BUTEX membership for a Glasgow has a variety of resources for students
minimum of one semester. The University of who need access to medical care while abroad.
Aberdeen, Glasgow and Stirling are all To learn more and see what is all available,
members. For further details on how to apply, click here.
please see https://www.butex.ac.uk/.
Glasgow has counseling and psychological
HEALTH & SAFETY services that are available to students. They
even offer group classes or mediation/yoga
General information about:
sessions. See their website for details and how
CISI Insurance
to make appointments.
Preparing to Go
Staying Healthy
Clinic Registration:
Traveling Safety
Registering with a clinic is free and can be done
Emergency Protocols
and links to additional health and safety the first time you visit the clinic. Glasgow will
resources are found on the following websites: give you more information on how to do this
Health + Safety when you first arrive.
Study Abroad Handbook: Health & Insurance
and Safety Abroad sections. It is normal in the UK to wait four-six days
for an appointment unless it is an emergency.
Centers for Disease Control That has nothing to do with you being
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has registered in advance or not.
vaccination suggestions, how to stay healthy
when abroad, and health information specific to CISI Insurance in the UK
If you have an accident or become ill while
the UK. Review the CDC site for the United
studying abroad, you may have to pay the
Kingdom.
price of the medical service up front. You will
then file a claim through CISI, the insurance
Vaccinations provided through the UW System for partial or
Due to an increasing measles and mumps full reimbursement in accordance with plan
cases in Europe, we strongly encourage all coverages.
students to check their vaccine history to see if
they have had the MMR vaccine.
10Services for Students with
Disabilities 3) In the UK, medical professionals do not
Glasgow’s Disability Services office can provide consider a common cold/sore throat to
assistance to study abroad students. The link require medical attention. Being sick with
provided gives more information on how to a cold for three or four days is considered
arrange support and get in touch with their normal and of no major concern in a person
offices. of college age.
It is also important to look at the level of 4) Antibiotics are rarely prescribed in the
accessibility in Scotland. To find more UK. Doctors point to research that shows
information on this topic, please see the State frequent use of antibiotics leads to mutation
Department Country Specific Information page. in germs, rendering the antibiotics useless.
If you have questions or concerns about this, Antibiotics are therefore used to treat
please contact your UWEC study abroad severe illness. If you use antibiotics
coordinator. regularly, you may wish to bring them with
you.
Intro to the UK Health System
The National Health Service (i.e. the UK 5) Allergy shots are generally not
national healthcare system) sometimes does recommended by physicians in the UK. It
not have a very good reputation in the U.S. will be difficult to find anyone who will
The system generally works fine; however, it prescribe or administer them.
operates under a different set of assumptions
from the U.S. health system. U.S. students and Safety in the U.K.
their parents need to be aware of some of the Information on crime, specific safety issues,
major differences between the U.S. and UK road safety, drug penalties, and terrorist activity
health systems. in the U.K. is included in the U.S. State
Department’s United Kingdom Country
1) The UK system is set up to favor those Information website. Specific safety in and
typically most in need of medical around Glasgow will be discussed during
treatment: infants/children, pregnant orientation in Eau Claire and at Glasgow.
women, and the elderly. People in
traditional university age range are One main thing to remember about safety in the
expected to be low users of the system UK is that they drive on the opposite side of the
except in the case of accidents or serious road, so LOOK RIGHT!! before crossing the
illness. street.
2) Because of this, there can be a long wait Hiking
to set up treatment for pre-existing Per the U.S. State Department, “Hiking in
conditions. If you have a condition that will higher elevations can be treacherous. Several
need ongoing treatment while in the UK, people die each year while hiking, particularly in
contact your UW-Eau Claire study abroad Scotland, often due to sudden changes in
coordinator right away! weather. We encourage visitors, including
11experienced hikers, to discuss their intended visit, but you can make smart choices about
routes with local residents familiar with the area how to manage your interactions and reactions
and to adhere closely to recommendations.” to lad culture:
Ask your British friends, both male and
Sexual Harassment and “Lad female, how they think lad culture impacts
Culture” in the UK university social life.
“Lad culture” is a concern among British Remove yourself from situations where you
universities. In recent research, it was defined do not feel comfortable. Listen to your
as a “group” or ‘pack’ mentality residing in instincts.
activities such as sport and heavy alcohol Drink in moderation if you choose to drink.
consumption, and ‘banter’ which is often sexist, UWEC student health services has
misogynist and homophobic.” Although some information about being smart while
respondents found it influenced their academic drinking.
experience at the university, lad culture is seen Be careful accepting drinks from people that
as particularly influential in the social side of you don’t know. In particular, watch your
university life. Some commentators compare it drink when you are out at bars or clubs.
to “bro culture” or frat culture here.
Local Resources for Victims of
Many respondents, in the study, reported sexist Sexual Violence
jokes and rape banter in their friendship groups Information and resources are on the Health &
that made them feel uncomfortable or felt Safety section of the study abroad website.
pressured to engage in sexual relationships.
Sexual harassment was common, and there Emergency Contacts
were accounts of sexual violence. Harassment General emergency procedures are described
ranged from verbal harassment and catcalling in the Safety Abroad section of the Study
to physical harassment and sexual molestation. Abroad Handbook, and Glasgow has a Study
Some viewed groping in nightclubs as a part of Abroad advisor who is available for consultation
a normal night out. if difficulties arise. The information will be
posted to your BlugoldsAbroad account right
Excessive drinking is an often-cited contributing before departure.
factor and the university drinking culture is seen
as one of the biggest obstacles to eliminating 911 Equivalent in the UK
lad culture. Some women were also found to If you are in an emergency situation in the
participate in the heavy drinking and crude United Kingdom, you will need to know how to
behavior associated with lad culture and have reach the local police, fire, or ambulance
been dubbed “ladettes.” services. The local equivalent to the 911
emergency line in the United Kingdom is 999;
Undoubtedly, some UW-Eau Claire students in Gibraltar, it is 112. Save this number in your
have witnessed or been victim to this type of cell phone in case you need it to use it quickly.
behavior in Eau Claire. However, it may be
more difficult to speak up when you are in a The U.S. State Department also provides a list
new culture. You cannot change a culture in a of 911 numbers abroad. Please note that in
12some countries there are different numbers for Visa category. Academic year students must
fire, police, and ambulance. Plan ahead and apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
research numbers before you go.
See the “Visa Information: UK” in the Learning
Marijuana and other Illegal Drugs Content section of your UW-Eau Claire
Although marijuana may be relatively easy to BlugoldsAbroad account for basic information
obtain in the UK, the possession and use of about the visa options. This information will also
marijuana is illegal. Penalties for possession, be discussed briefly at study abroad orientation.
use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the U.K. are
severe and convicted offenders can expect long Note that you cannot enter the UK for the
jail sentences and heavy fines. U.S. citizenship first time via Ireland if you are using the
offers no protection if you break a U.K. law. short-term study visa option. In addition,
There is NOTHING the CIE, Glasgow, or the proof of onward journey, usually in the form of
U.S. government can do if you are found in a roundtrip plane ticket, is required.
violation of U.K. laws.
It is your responsibility to keep up-to-date about
In addition to legal penalties, you are putting student visa requirements for the UK, and if
yourself at risk of robbery or assault, or you required, to apply for and receive a visa from a
may get a much more dangerous combination UK consulate or embassy in a timely manner.
of drugs than you thought you were buying.
Why Can’t I fly through Ireland?
REQUIRED When booking flights to the UK, it will be
tempting to purchase a flight that has a layover
DOCUMENTS in Ireland as they are often more affordable.
However, all UK partners advise that you
General passport and visa information is in the
Study Abroad Handbook: Travel Resources CANNOT do this! Ireland is considered a part
section. of the Common Travel Area (CTA) with the UK
and is causes immigration to be very
If you are not a U.S. citizen, please contact complicated. Traveling through Ireland, in route
the CIE for more information about the to the UK, means you won’t ever go through the
following topics. proper immigration that is needed for the
student visa. You are advised to travel
Visa directly from the US to England or Scotland.
A visa is official permission to temporarily
reside in another country and is granted by the Visas for Travel to Other Countries
government of that country. U.S. citizens If you plan to travel outside of the UK while
studying in the UK for less than six months may abroad, verify visa requirements for each
enter the UK under two categories: Short-Term country you will visit by contacting the nearest
Study Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa. consulate for that country, or your travel
agency. Most Western European nations do not
Most summer and semester UW-Eau Claire require U.S. citizens to have a visa for tourist
students enter under the Short-Term Study travel of less than three months, but you should
13always verify the requirement as entry
requirements can change with little notice (and
Europe has talked about changing this).
GETTING TO
SCOTLAND
PACKING TIPS There is information on booking flights in the
General packing information is in the Study Study Abroad Handbook: Travel Resources
Abroad Handbook: Travel Resources section. section.
A country-specific packing list will be released
through your BlugoldsAbroad account a few Travel Arrangements
months prior to departure. It is your responsibility to make travel
arrangements to Glasgow.
Weather Remember:
Glasgow has short/cool summers and winters you should not book your flight until
are long, cold and wet. The warm season is your acceptance has been confirmed
from June-September (average high of 66ºF) and the exact beginning and ending
and the cooler season is from late November dates of the program have been
until March (average high 48ºF). It will rain a lot confirmed by the University of Glasgow.
when in Glasgow. However, this does not mean that you
cannot look online and begin price
Clothing comparisons.
Past participants suggest bringing clothing that You cannot enter the UK for the first time
you can wear, or take off, in layers. Many of the via Ireland if you are using the short-
buildings are not centrally heated so it can be term study visa option.
very drafty. Most visas require a roundtrip ticket. If you
are planning to travel at the end of the
Take clothing that is washable and does not program, that is fine. You do not need to
wrinkle easily. Scottish students generally dress leave the UK immediately at the end of the
casually, but not as casually as U.S. students program, as long as you will not be there/in
do. You will be hard pressed to find students Europe as a tourist for more than a total of
wearing sweats to class. Bring a few “dress-up” 90 days before/after the program
clothes for going out to restaurants or clubs.
Some nightclubs will not let you in wearing Immigration
jeans or tennis shoes. In addition, having a If you are using the short-term study visa option
good waterproof jacket is important. You should to enter the UK, you will be asked to provide
bring a light and heavy jacket as you’ll documents to the UK immigration official at the
experience a variety of seasons. And don’t airport. Please see your BlugoldAbroads “Visa
forget your umbrella! Information: UK” item for details on what
documents you need to have with you.
14Upon verifying your documents, the immigration Gatehouse at the University Avenue
agent will stamp your passport with the short- entrance to campus. The Gatehouse is
term study visa. staffed 24 hours a day.
IMPORTANT: You will be arrested if you Spring students: There is no welcome
bring pocketknives, blades, mace or pepper program for students who arrive in the spring.
spray canisters, or any part of a gun into the You will need to make your way to campus
United Kingdom. Please refer to the US State yourself. Glasgow International Airport is
Department Country Information page, which approximately 7 miles west of the university,
details the items visitors are prohibited from and you are expected to proceed directly to
bringing into the United Kingdom. your residence hall. A taxi from the airport to a
Hall of Residence costs roughly £20-£25. An
Buying a Changeable Ticket airport bus goes to Buchanan Bus Station
Usually exam schedules are not published in which is situated in the center of the city. A taxi
advance, therefore, we strongly recommend journey from there to one of the Halls of
that you buy a roundtrip ticket with a low Residence will cost roughly £8 to £10.
change fee. Note that trip insurance does not
cover flight changes if you buy a non- Summer students: Uni of Glasgow will provide
changeable, non-refundable ticket airport pick up for students who arrive at
Glasgow International Airport (GLA) between
7am-7pm on the designated arrival date for that
Getting to Glasgow course. To see the arrival dates, click here,
You can fly directly to the Glasgow International
then on the “Getting to the University and
Airport (GLA) (Note: NOT the Glasgow
airport pick up.” That site also has information
Prestwick airport! Prestwick is about 45 minutes
should you not arrive during the pick up service.
from Glasgow) More information is at this link:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/about/maps/howtogethere/ Early Arrivals
Since the University of Glasgow cannot
Fall students only: The international office at
accommodate students prior to the arrival date,
Glasgow will arrange a meet and greet at the
you will need to find alternative housing
Glasgow International Airport between certain
arrangements if you arrive early.
times on certain dates. They will also have a
free coach bus that will take you to campus and
accommodations. There are only certain dates SETTLING IN
for this, and you must sign up in advance. Orientation
Glasgow staff will contact you directly about You will have an orientation program upon
how and when to do that. To learn more, see arrival, including an introduction to the
here. university, student life, support services, and
the city and the surrounding area.
The university recommends that you do not
arrive on a Saturday or Sunday, as all On-Site Support
university offices will be closed. If you do As an international student at the University of
have problems on arrival, go to the Main Glasgow, you will have access to campus
15resources. The international staff is there to that participate in volunteer activities. Past
support you should any questions or concerns students who chose to do this gained a lot from
arise. The international staff won’t actively seek the experience. Not only do you get to meet
you out to make sure everything is going okay. people, you get to make a difference. However,
Instead, should anything come up, you will please see the "Service Learning" information
need to reach out to them. As you may recall in this guide as volunteering in the UK will
from earlier sections, the UK education system require a background check and Tier 4
is much more hands off than the US education Student Visa.
system, but the UK system can support you if
you make staff aware.
HOUSING
Campus Activities/Organizations Living Situation
The University of Glasgow has over 100 Semester Students:
student-run organizations for you to participate The University of Glasgow offers study abroad
in, from the Fencing Club to the English housing in one of seven university halls, some
Literature Society. These are mainly for of which offer more traditional dorm-style
semester long students as most students are rooms, both single and double, and some of
off campus during the summer months. which have apartment-style housing. The
University of Glasgow Accommodation Office
will send you a code so that you can apply
Glasgow is also unique in that it has two
online once you have been officially accepted to
student unions: Glasgow University Union,
the University of Glasgow.
established in 1885, and the Queen Margaret
Union, established in 1890. Historically, All residences, with the exception of Wolfson
Glasgow University Union was the men’s union Hall, are self-catering, meaning you buy food
and Queen Margaret’s was the women’s union. and cook your own meals. To learn more about
Glasgow University Union is a popular venue each hall, the cost and the spaces available,
that houses a nightclub, several bars, a you can click here. Some halls will be flats and
TV/Sports Lounge, two libraries, and several others will have rooms. If you live in a hall with
dining facilities. Queen Margaret Union offers rooms there will be twin bedrooms, single or
regular entertainment, film showings, bars, large singles (twin rooms are single sex). If you
restaurants, and a coffee bar as well. Be sure to live in a flat, you may have your own room but
check out the famous "Cheesy Pop," a weekly share the common areas. Flats can be co-ed.
favorite at the QMU. You can learn more at:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/studentlife/studentunionsa Summer Students: summer students are
ndorganisations/ guaranteed housing but you will still need to do
a housing application so they can allocate
accordingly. Glasgow will send you more
Community Involvement
information about this AFTER you are accepted
A great way to get involved in the community is
by them. You will have a single room within a
to volunteer your time (again, mainly for
self-contained flat that includes a well-equipped
semester students). Check with the study
kitchen. You’ll share the flat with 4-5 other
abroad office on your campus to see if any students. Bedding and kitchenware will be
positions are available on campus or within provided (but towels aren’t). The flats are self-
your city. Otherwise, look into student groups
16catering so you don’t have a meal plan. They meal plan in Scotland is NOT like having a meal
are located in the West End of Glasgow. plan at UWEC.
All students: Past peer adviser tip: “Byres Road next to the
As Glasgow is an urban campus, not all University’s main building has a lot of shops to
residence halls are on campus. Walk time from choose from. Iceland would be my go-to.
halls to campus range from 15 to 45 minutes. Almost everything sold there is frozen, but it is
See comparison chart for more information: really cheap; most items cost around £2-4!
http://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/accommod There is also a Waitrose on Byres road which is
ation/facilitiescomparison/. a bit more expensive; look for deals to save
some cash! (University Cafe and Little Italy are
What's Provided? both on Byres Road too—some of my favorite
Each room has a desk, bed, desk lamp, chair, places to grab a quick bite!)”
storage shelves, bookshelf closet or wardrobe
and Wifi is also included. Your bedding is Cultural differences in food. Because tea is a
provided, but you will need to supply your own more common drink than coffee, you'll find
towels, cooking and eating utensils (summer water kettles rather than coffee pots in most
students: cooking/utensils are provided). Go to kitchens. When you go shopping, you'll find that
http://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/accommod
eggs are not refrigerated. You'll find less beef
ation/ for details on what is provided by each
and chicken, and more pork and lamb.
hall.
Ketchup, peanut butter, and ranch dressing are
hard to find and have a slightly different flavor.
Laundry If you eat out, you'll find more Indian food and
The self-catered halls have laundry facilities on less Mexican food.
site for an additional fee.
Common Scottish and English meals
Meals & Snacks Haggis: a traditional Scottish savory dish
Almost all students select “self-catered” halls
containing sheep's organs (heart, liver and
(all summer students are in self-catered) at
lungs) minced with onion, oatmeal, suet,
Glasgow, meaning they cook their own food. In
self-catered housing you will have access to a spices, and salt; mixed with stock; and
kitchen to store food and cook meals. If you are traditionally encased in the animal's
in a self-catered hall, you will cook at home in a stomach and simmered for approximately
kitchen you share with other students on your three hours. Most modern commercial
floor. Depending on where you live, you may haggis is prepared in a sausage casing
share your kitchen with 5-25 other students rather than an actual stomach. For those of
(though sharing with 25 is rare). Most kitchens you who are not fans of organ meat, there is
include a fridge with separate freezer, stove, also vegetarian haggis.
microwave, and electric kettle. Black Pudding: a type of sausage made by
cooking blood or dried blood with a filler
There is no meal plan at Glasgow unless until it is thick enough to congeal when
you live in Wolfson Hall. Wolfson Hall serves cooled; often served at the traditional
breakfast and dinner on weekdays and brunch Scottish breakfast.
and an evening meal on weekends. Having a
17 Square Sausage: Lorne sausage known for Time Difference
its shape is often served with breakfast or Scotland is six hours ahead of Eau Claire. For
on a roll. example, when it is 1:00 P.M. on Thursday in
Tablet: basically, sugar and butter; it is Eau Claire, it is 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at
amazing. Glasgow. To see the current time at in
Clootie Dumpling: a traditional dessert Scotland, visit:
pudding made with flour, breadcrumbs, https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/uk
dried fruit, sugar, spice, and milk.
Stovies: A Scottish dish based on potatoes; Email/Internet Access
recipes vary widely but the dish always The University provides email and WiFi access,
contains potatoes and variously onions, or you can access a web-based email account
carrots, other vegetables, roast beef, corned via the Internet. If you bring a laptop, there will
beef or other meat. be places to use it on campus and in your
Fish and Chips: fried fish served with fries. housing arrangement. There are also various
Depending on where in Scotland you are, computer labs on campus. You will need to
they will ask if you would like vinegar or salt purchase a UK adapter for your computer if you
or both. You will also find a variety of bring one. Make sure that if you have a three-
toppings people put on just chips such as prong computer plug that you purchase a two-
doner or curry. prong converter (to plug into your adapter) that
Shepherd's Pie: lamb pie cooked in a turns into a three prong so that you can charge
casserole with a layer of toasted mashed your computer.
potatoes.
Bangers and Mash: sausages and mashed Video Chatting/Online Apps
potatoes. Most international students communicate with
Yorkshire Pudding: popover served family and friends back in the U.S. by using and
alongside roast beef with gravy on top. online video chat service such as Skype, Zoom,
Cadbury Chocolate: an absolute must. Facetime, or WhatsApp. Past students
Doner: found at the kebab shops; similar to recommend that you set up a regular time (for
a Gyro. example, Sundays at 10 PM, Scottish time) so
Fried Milky Way/Mars Bars: almost both sides are online at the same time.
anything can be found fried; just check out
the menu at the nearest fish and chips Calling from the U.S.
shop. From the U.S. to Scotland. You must first dial
011, which is the international dialing code.
COMMUNICATION Next, you must dial 44 to get Scotland, and
then the rest of the number to reach a specific
See the Study Abroad Handbook: Travel
city and location.
Resources section for information on:
Communication with UWEC
Snail Mail
Calling, Texting & Other Communication
International airmail takes 7-10 days to cross
the Atlantic in either direction. Make sure you
don’t send anything valuable as the package is
18likely to be opened when going through www.megabus.co.uk, you can get a roundtrip
customs. bus ticket from Glasgow to Edinburgh for 3-4
pounds (roughly $7-9). If you're going further, a
National Express Student Coach Card entitles
you to one-third off all regular fare coach
TRAVEL WHILE tickets.
ABROAD Ferry
If you have time, you can also take a ferry from
General information on guidebooks, maps,
hostels and more is in the Study Abroad Scotland to various cities in
Handbook: Travel Resources section. Ireland/Wales/England. Past participants have
said they really enjoyed the ferry experiences.
Independent Travel See https://www.aferry.co.uk/ for more
If you plan to travel in England, Scotland or information.
Wales, transportation by train, ferry, bus
(coach) and plane are all possible. When Air
deciding whether to travel by train or air, Glasgow has an international airport so that will
remember this: they are often comparable in make it easier to fly other places. Many past
price, but train travel is considerably longer. students have recommended Ryan Air as a
For example, a train from Glasgow to London helpful site with low-budget flights all around
takes four hours versus a forty-minute flight. Europe: http://www.ryanair.com/en. Typically,
On the other hand, traveling by train allows you Ryan Air flies into airports that are further
to see much of the countryside that you would outside the city, so you may need to spend
miss if you fly. Also, train stations are usually more on taxis, buses, or trains to get into town.
closer to the city centers, while a taxi or bus Keep in mind that airlines like RyanAir and
ride might be needed if you fly. other budget airlines, charge for the littlest
things like printing your boarding pass at the
Train airport and their weight/bag restrictions are very
A 16-25 RailCard gives you 1/3 off regular fare strict. Do your research to know what you can
tickets. It pays for itself after three to four trips. bring. If you don’t you will end up paying a lot of
Check out this Web site for more information: money!
http://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/. There is also a
special rail pass just for southwest England
(which includes London and Oxford) that gives
CULTURAL NOTES
Where am I going? UK, England,
you a discount on train tickets. When you buy a
or Great Britain?
ticket to London using the pass, the ticket may
You are actually going to all three
also be used as a subway pass around London
simultaneously. “The United Kingdom is a
for the entire day.
country that consists of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland. In fact, the official name of the
Bus
country is ‘United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Scotland has a great bus system that can take
Northern Ireland.’
you to many Scottish cities inexpensively. At
19Great Britain is the name of the island Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was
northwest of France and east of Ireland that adopted in 1927.
consists of three somewhat autonomous From:
countries: England, Wales and Scotland. http://www.infoplease.com/country/united-
Therefore, Scotland is part of Great Britain, kingdom.html
which is part of the United Kingdom. The UK
includes England, Wales, Scotland, and
Northern Ireland.” From:
http://geography.about.com/library/faq/blqzuk.ht
m
The Government
The United Kingdom is a constitutional
monarchy and parliamentary democracy, with a
queen and a parliament that has two houses:
The House of Lords and the House of
Commons. Supreme legislative power is vested
in parliament, which sits for five years unless
dissolved sooner. The House of Lords was
stripped of most of its power in 1911, and now
its main function is to revise legislation.
The current monarch and prime minister are:
Sovereign: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1952)
Prime Minister: Boris Johnson (since 2019)
England has existed as a unified entity since
the 10th century; the union between England
and Wales, began in 1284 with the Statute of
Rhuddlan, which was not formalized until 1536
with an Act of Union. In another Act of Union in
1707, England and Scotland agreed to
permanently join as Great Britain. The
legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland
was implemented in 1801, with the adoption of
the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland. The Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921
formalized a partition of Ireland; six northern
Irish counties remained part of the United
Kingdom as Northern Ireland and the current
name of the country, the United Kingdom of
20CONTACT INFORMATION
University of Glasgow British Consulate in the UW-Eau Claire
Semester program: U.S. Jenna Krosch
Study Abroad and Exchange
625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite Study Abroad Coordinator
Manager
2200 kroschjm@uwec.edu
visiting-
Chicago, IL 60611 3 Schofield Hall
students@glasgow.ac.uk
Tel: (312) 970-3800 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Tel.: 44 (0)141 330 6516
Fax: 44 (0)141 330 4045 Fax: (312) 970-3852 Eau Claire, WI 54702
https://www.gov.uk/government/w Phone: (715) 836-4411
International Office orld/usa Fax: (715) 836-4948
University of Glasgow Scroll down to the heading
The Fraser Building “British Consulate-General After Hours Emergency
65 Hillhead Street Chicago”. Please be aware that University Policy
Glasgow G12 8QQ British Consulate in Chicago (715)577-9045
Scotland, UK no longer offers visa Remember that in most cases,
processing services. The New local contacts are best in local
York Consulate is the only emergency situations.
International Summer School location that process visa
Rio-
applications in the USA. If you have an after-hours
internationalsummerschools@gl
asgow.ac.uk emergency that can be helped on
U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh the U.S. side, please call University
3 Regent Terrace Police at the number above. Calls
Edinburgh EH7 5BW
can be made to this number 24
Phone: 0131-556-8315 (in
hours a day. You may get an
country)
answering machine; however, an
Fax: 0131-557-6023 (in country)
After-hours Emergency for officer is alerted as soon as you
American Citizens: have left your message. Be sure to
Phone: 020 7499 9000 (in- give the officer the phone number
country) you can be reached at, as well as
Email: edinburgh-info@state.gov what type of assistance you
Web: require.
https://uk.usembassy.gov/embas
sy-consulates/edinburgh/
21WEB INFORMATION: GLASGOW
City
City of Glasgow: https://peoplemakeglasgow.com
Lonely Planet: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/scotland/glasgow
Visit Scotland: Glasgow: https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/glasgow/see-do/
Culture
The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/scotland/
Scottish Culture: https://www.scotland.org/about-scotland/culture
Scottish Traditions: https://www.scotland.org/about-scotland/culture/scottish-traditions
Country
Visit Scotland: https://www.visitscotland.com
Lonely Planet: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/scotland
British Council: Scotland: https://scotland.britishcouncil.org
22When past participants of the Glasgow program were asked to sum up their
experience, here is what they said:
Throughout my time in Glasgow I have had little experiences that made me just appreciate the fact that
I had the chance to come. I loved the satisfaction of being able to adapt to entirely new surroundings,
the diversity of living in a big city. I loved starting over knowing no one and meeting great friends. I
loved having to travel someplace that involved a subway, train, bus, plane and taxi just to get there.
Who doesn't love Fish and Chips? I loved playing Gaelic Football. I loved the Scottish landscape--for
the most part I even loved the rain.
Often in my classes we did a lot of comparisons and I could use my views to develop opinions in the
conversations we had. Also, with my roommates and classmates, my identity often shaped the type of
friendship I had with them. There were many stereotypes various countries have associated with
Americans, and in order to change their minds, I had to be open with how I identified.
What I have noticed is that when you go abroad, the common societal norm of trying to fit in, goes
away. People just want to know the best version of yourself.
Updated: July 2020 jmkYou can also read
