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Student. Student. Exchange. Exchange. Programme. Programme. French Language Immersion Award Pre-departure Briefing. Agenda. Visa & Paperwork Travel Plans Insurance Accommodation Transportation Finances Arrival Things to bring Once you’re there Preparing for home. Lyon.
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Student Student Exchange Exchange Programme Programme French Language Immersion Award Pre-departure Briefing
Agenda • Visa & Paperwork • Travel Plans • Insurance • Accommodation • Transportation • Finances • Arrival • Things to bring • Once you’re there • Preparing for home
Pre-trip Preparation Visa & Paperwork • Passport with 6 months or more validity • Singaporean students do not need a visa to enter France for a stay under 90 days. Bring the letter from INSA Lyon (email notification to pick up from IRO) and the NUS financial sponsorship letter in case of any issues • Students from other countries are ‘short term visa students’ and need to complete the short stay Schengen Visa application and submit the requested documents including the INSA Lyon letter and make an appointment online • Take note of visa requirements for other countries
Pre-trip Preparation Travel plans • Buy your flights early online or through a travel agent • Check for student fares with your travel agent • Sign up for frequent flyer mile programmes to accumulate mileage • Take note of the time you will be arriving at your destination. If it is late at night, are you comfortable getting around the city alone and do you have somewhere to stay?Consider traveling in groups • Check your airline’s baggage allowance before packing! • If you need to take a train to your final destination, please ensure you are not rushing to catch the last train
Pre-trip Preparation • Get insurance – Insurance must be valid for travels in Europe, and must include health insurance (healthcare is expensive) in Europe and civil liability • Email a copy of insurance to Wei Lin by 30 May 2012 • Get travel insurance in case of lost luggage or delayed flights • Please bring along the proof of insurance and coverage for reference. Do check for minimum requirements before purchasing • Check with your insurance company on claiming procedures • Get your prescriptions and jabs, glasses changed, teeth checked, etc - here! • If you are taking medications, please continue Insurance
Pre-trip Preparation Accommodation • On-campus stay from 3 June to 29 June • Details on early and late stay will be advised • Same gender roommates will be allocated randomly • Breakfast, lunch & dinner will be provided from Mondays to Fridays • Bed linen will be providedbut towels, toiletries are your responsibility • Laundry facility will be available • Guests may not be allowed – check with INSA Lyon first! • Communicate with your advisor – advise of any travel or missed meals • Get to know other students from the dorm, use • French as much as you can!
Pre-trip Preparation Transportation • To reach Lyon: Train (TGV) from Paris, Plane to Saint-Exupery Airport from Paris, bus or car • Around the city: Subway, tram (INSA Lyon has 2 stops), bus, bicycle or foot. You may wish to get a bus card so please bring a few passport photos. Taxis are expensive! • Walking!
Pre-trip Preparation Finances Big Mac index 1USD = S$1.44 USA – 5.14 France – 6.37 Singapore – 4.45 Recommended monthly budget: Paris – €1,000 Elsewhere - €800 www.economist.com (published March 17 2010)
Pre-trip Preparation Arrival • You must arrive by Sunday, 3rd June at INSA Lyon campus • You will be provided with the name and number of a coordinator in case your arrival is delayed • Students arriving before 3rd June are recommended to stay in the Auberge de Jeunesse du Vieux-Lyon • We recommend traveling after the programme instead of before to allow sufficient time to get your visa
Find out about.. • The weather - To bring tee shirts or wool coats • and mufflers? What about humidity? • Time difference • Exchange rate • Reporting the loss of your passport or credit cards • Getting around: especially from airport to your accommodation. Taxis are expensive! • Recipes of your favourite home-made dishes • NUS and Singapore! • Meet & Greet services
Things to Bring 1. Important Documents • Passport • Letter of acceptance from partner university • Proof of funding • Copies of your insurance policies Please make copies of all important documents and keep separate sets in different places. It is also a good idea to leave one set at home so that these documents can easily be sent to you in the event that you lose those with you.
Things to Bring 2. Other Essentials • Enough cash to last you until you can visit an ATM • Medication for personal use (prescription drugs should be kept in their original packaging with your name on it, and be accompanied by a doctor’s note) • Travel adaptors and multi-plug adaptors • Laptop (do you need it?), camera and cell phone chargers • Umbrella or raincoat • First-aid kit
Things to Bring 3. Daily necessities • Towels, Toiletries, alarm clock, hairdryer, clothes, footwear - be prepared to walk long distances • Take note that the products you are used to may not be available overseas, or may be very expensive 4. Fun Stuff • Digital camera • Photos of friends and family • Souvenirs from Singapore • Recipes, spices and “food mixes” – you need to learn to cook!
Pre-departure Checklist Docs and Prep Things to Bring • Valid passport and visa • Proof of acceptance at PU • Proof of financial support • Insurance • Credit card/cash • Confirmed flight ticket • Emergency Contacts • Vaccinations and checkups • Exit permit for NSmen • Appropriate clothing • First aid kit • Medication • Adaptors and chargers • Umbrella/raincoat • Toiletries/alarm clock/ hairdryer • Footwear • Digital camera • Photos and souvenirs • Foodstuffs • Passport photos
Once You’re There 1. First things first • CALL HOME! Ensure that your family members can contact you and inform them if you are going to travel - we do not want them calling us about your whereabouts • Acquaint yourself with the campus and city • Singaporeans should register themselves on the MFA website, other nationalities should contact their country’s diplomatic missions • Find out who you should call in times of emergency – police, ambulance, or campus security
Once You’re There 2. Settling In • Familiarise yourself with your new surroundings • Keep yourself updated with the daily local news • Immerse yourself in French – movies, shows, anything! • Talk to new people – don’t keep to yourself • Please don’t just stick to Singaporeans! • USE YOUR FRENCH – don’t be afraid, this is why you are there!
Once You’re There 3. Safety • Be safe – don’t wander around alone at night • Look out for nearest security posts/police stations near home • Beware of pickpockets – guys should keep their wallets in their front pockets and girls should keep their bags tightly clasped under their arms • Be mindful of your surroundings • Don’t leave your valuables lying around • Don’t leave large amounts of cash in the room • If confronted, give up your valuables and • do not resist
Once You’re There Alcohol, drugs, partying, etc • Be comfortable and don’t be pressured into anything • Be smart • Know when to say no • It’s not okay just because everyone is doing it • Always know your limit • Something that is legal there may not • necessary be acceptable in Singapore
Once You’re There 4. Culture Shock • Anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within an entirely different cultural or social environment, such as a foreign country. • 1. Honeymoon Phase • 2. Negotiation Phase • 3. “Everything is ok” Phase • 4. Reverse Culture Shock • Recognise and talk to friends about it • Be open-minded, and prepare yourself well by • reading up about your host country beforehand
Once You’re There 5. Your Classes & Advisors • Your classes are not meant to be a ‘fast track’ for your NUS French courses, but instead a chance to really USE your French • Respect is extremely important in the French student-teacher culture – be respectful! • Be patient with your roommate and expect cultural differences • You cannot leave before the end of the • programme • Classes are on INSA Lyon campus but few local students are around – get off campus or spend time with local students during the social activities
Once You’re There Tips to make the best of your time • Finding out as much as you can – the more you know, the more comfortable you’ll be • Talk to people who have done the same thing. Learn & adapt – don’t copy • Be open-minded and make the effort – to explore, experience new culture and places • If a problem arises, try to resolve it. Good for you! • But also know when to approach others for help • After your time abroad, be inspired!
Once You’re There Be mature and recognise differences • Be prepared that things may be done in a different way and speed than what you are used to • For example the French… • are generally private people, free to be themselves only with close friends and family • don’t rush meals or drinks, they’re to be enjoyed • aren’t loud • use titles and address others politely • dress well • Respect others & act in ways to be respected too
Preparing for Home • Say your goodbyes and thank you’s (Intl Office included!) • Confirm your returning flight details • Keep speaking French! • Complete feedback survey • Continue your 2nd year of French when back in Singapore • Prepare to apply for SEP
Important Contacts and Links • INSA Lyon will provide a document sharing site with general information, check your email for update on this • Contact at INSA Lyon • Nina Arnesen, nina.arnesen@insa-lyon.fr, +33 472 43 89 99 (office), +33 6 33 06 51 82 (mobile)For questions related to the French courses : Delphine Fradois, delphine.fradois@insa-lyon.fr • Embassies/High Commissions : www.mfa.gov.sg • Local emergencies number : 112 • Credit card and bank telephone numbers • NUS Emergency Contact+65-6874 1616
Important LIA Reminders
Important Reminders • You must complete 4 LPP modules (including French for Academic Purposes) before going for SEP • Dropping out of FAP = Dropping out of the LPP • You are advised to go for SEP in Year 3 so that you can complete the LPP according to the regular schedule • If your degree programme does not allow you to do 4 modules of LPP or if you are not able to go on SEP in your Year 3, DO NOT apply for the French LIA • Your obligation includes meeting your faculty’s SEP criteria so that you can go on exchange
Important Reminders • Accepting the LIA constitutes an agreement to go back to a particular university/region for exchange – if you do not do so, you will have to pay the penalty amount of $3000 • Accepting the French LIA constitutes a commitment to go on SEP to France/Switzerland/Belgiumfor 1 or 2 semesters in Year 3! • Accepting the French LIA for INSA Lyon constitutes a commitment to go on SEP to INSA Lyon for 1 or 2 semesters in Year 3! • To go on SEP in Year 3 Sem 1 or 2, please apply at the end of 2012
