2017 -2018 first steps - uwi st. augustine guide is designed to assist you in your preparation for...

A PRE-DEPARTURE GUIDE TO HASSLEFREE TRAVEL FOR INCOMING UWI

ST. AUGUSTINE CAMPUS STUDENTS

FIRST STEPS

DIVISION OF STUDENT SERVICES & DEVELOPMENT

2017-2018

A VERY WARM WELCOME

The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus enjoys welcoming regional and international students. Perhaps like you, most students come to Trinidad and Tobago and by extension to The UWI to be a part of a dynamic West Indian education and enjoy diverse cultural traditions while living here. We truly appreciate your presence with us, and we hope that while you are here, you will experience all that the St. Augustine Campus has to offer.

This guide is designed to assist you in your preparation for university life. The pages ahead are filled with useful information needed before your arrival in Trinidad and Tobago. We asked that you take this opportunity to carefully read the information provided. Some of the concerns address gathering important documentation, travelling, accommodation, tips on preparing for your journey, and settling in to begin your first year on campus.

Again, thank you for choosing The UWI St. Augustine Campus as your primer tertiary institution and we certainly look forward to meeting you.

Regards,Office of the DirectorDivision of Student Services & Development

PRE-DEPARTURE GUIDE TO HASSLE FREE TRAVEL FOR INCOMING UWI, ST. AUGUSTINE STUDENTS 1

PREPARING FOR YOUR JOURNEY

Being prepared for your journey makes your transition to university easier. To begin, ensure that you read all of the documents in your admission package, then proceed to plan in order of priority, ensuring that you have enough time to spare before you leave your home country. It is wise to plan your journey, from the point of entry into Trinidad and Tobago to your place of residence for the semester. By now, if you have chosen to live on campus, your Hall of Residence should have sent you useful information. Read it all carefully as it will help with your pre-departure preparations. If you have chosen to live off campus you should be making contact with The Office of the Director, Division of Student Services & Development or liaising with a landlord directly.

Arriving on time is important as The UWI, hosts an official campus orientation for all incoming students known as the First Year Experience (FYE) programme. This programme assists students in their transition to life on campus. Since you are coming from overseas you may be interested in the Meet and Greet and Check- In programmes. The Meet and Greet service offers students advice on a safe transportation option to take you to your place of residence. If you would like to use this service you will need to book it in advance. Activities like the Check-In programme provide dedicated local support to help students settle in quickly. Participants are required to spend a weekend on residence where they will meet with key campus officials, tour aspects of Trinidad and engage in cultural activities. Students will also be required to register in advance for this programme.

In the pages ahead, please take note of information useful to your travel plans.


CHECK LIST: WHAT TO PACK

There are particular documents needed when you arrive at the airport in Trinidad and Tobago where you will meet immigration officials. It is important that you make two copies of each document. It is advisable that you keep one copy at home, one in your suitcase and place all original documents in your carry-on.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TO BRING WITH YOU:

• A valid passport for at least one year • A valid visa (if applicable).• A return ticket• A letter of acceptance from The UWI.• Your birth certificate• Documentary evidence of where you will be residing.• A record of up to date vaccinations (Immunization card)• International Immunization Card• Evidence that you have adequate funding to cover tuition fees (A recent bank statement/ proof

of scholarship/ sponsorship letter).• Originals of academic certificates.

EMERGENCY ITEMS FOR YOUR HAND LUGGAGE

• Clothing for at least one day in case your luggage gets left behind.• A list of items in your luggage to make an insurance claim if necessary.• Prescription drugs or medication you are currently taking.• Personal effects (Laptop, chargers, cell phones, tablet, money etc.)• Address and phone book with key contacts and addresses.


ARRIVING IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Upon your arrival, you will proceed to immigration and perhaps you may be asked the following questions.

• What is the purpose of your visit? (Study at The University of the West Indies)• How much cash have you brought with you to Trinidad and Tobago? (Show access to funding

i.e Bank statement, sponsorship letter, scholarship letter etc) Kindly note that you must declare sums of money exceeding TT$ 20, 000 in cash or cheque.

• Where will you be staying? (Email evidence from landlord or hall of residence)• The Airport Taxi Service is also available, you will need to check with the taxi dispatcher to

get the cost of this service, if you have not already signed up for the Meet and Greet Service. Please register by logging on to: www.sta.uwi.edu/dssd/meet_greet.asp

DECLARING YOUR PERSONAL ITEMS TO TRINIDADIAN CUSTOMS:Sometimes an immigration officer may ask you to declare items in your luggage. Therefore, you should make a list of all goods you plan to bring through customs.

IMMIGRATION

The SLDD also provides support to International and Regional Students in the following areas:-

• Assistance with the extension of the Immigration Stamp • Liaising with Immigration Office on behalf of students • Assistance with the renewal of student visas and passports • Any other related immigration matters


STUDENT LIFE& DEVELOPMENTThe SLDD is open from 8:30am –

4:30pm from Monday – Friday. You

can also call us at 662-2002, Exts

84103, 83866, and 83774 or on

our direct line 645-7526. Email us at

[email protected] or visit our

website: www.sta.uwi.edu/sldd for

more information.

GETTING TO YOUR ACCOMMODATION

You will arrive at the Piarco International Airport. If you do not have arrangements for pick-up, here are a few options:

• The UWI Division of Student Services and Development's Meet and Greet service – Once you book this service, a driver will be waiting to collect you at the airport and take you to your accommodation. You will need to book this service in advance. Please visit website for more information www.sta.uwi.edu/sas.

• Public transportation is also available but not necessarily convenient for students arriving in Trinidad and Tobago with luggage.


SETTLING IN

After you have arrived in Trinidad and Tobago, there will be some key arrangements to be made as part of your “settling in”. In order to get settled quickly there are a number of things you will need to do including opening a bank account, learning about your environment both on campus and the island’s attractions.

DININGIf you plan to cater your own meals, there are a number of grocery outlets within the vicinity of the University. Below is a list of stores for your information.

• Massy Stores Supermarket (5 minutes away from St. Augustine campus) • Tru Valu, Trincity Mall, Trincity• U-WEE Supermarket (directly outside the campus southern gate) • UWI Mini Mart - on the campus

If you prefer dining out, the St. Augustine campus offers several options:• Arabian Cuisine• Sumo Sushi• KFC • Mario’s Pizza & Boomers • Pita Pit• Rituals Café • Sava D Flava (BBQ)• Subway• Small café• Celestine & Sons• Veg. Out (Strictly Vegan)• Yvette’s Creole food• Linda’s Bakery


SETTLING IN CONTINUED

BANKING AND MONEY TRANSFERSIn order to carry out financial transactions, it is advisable that you open a bank account in Trinidad and Tobago as soon as possible. There is a bank on campus as well as several banks in the environs where this can be done. You will need to bring with you:

• Two forms of Identification

• A reference letter from home bank

• UWI acceptance letter

• Proof of address (email from hall/ letter from landlord)

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

• Have enough money to cover your immediate needs upon arrival to Trinidad and Tobago.

• For those residing on campus you would have already submitted your residence deposit but

for off campus accommodation you may need to pay a deposit of two month's rent in advance depending on the type of accommodation you will be renting.

• Before you leave your home country, verify the process of transferring money to an account in Trinidad and Tobago.

• You can bring large sums of money in the form of a bank draft. Please be advised that banks usually put long holds on deposits once the draft is issued in foreign currency, sometimes up to 20 business days. A draft that is made in TT currency takes less time to clear.


SHOPPING Shopping in Trinidad and Tobago is

made easy once you can navigate

your environment well. There are

several shopping areas on the

East-West corridor with great deals.

This list below will help you.

• Tunapuna

• Trincity Mall

• Grand Bazaar

• Port of Spain

• Movie Towne, Chaguanas

ORIENTATION

WHAT TO EXPECTEach year the St. Augustine Campus engages students in a series of events and activities that will help make their transition into university life easier, we will do the same for you! It is at orientation activities students meet other peers from the region and around the world.

First Year Experience (FYE) is the official orientation programme at The UWI, St Augustine Campus targeting all incoming undergraduate and postgraduate students. FYE encompasses a range of events, tours and seminars that will introduce you to campus life and help prepare you for the year ahead. You will meet with staff, take a tour of the campus and library, receive crucial information and make friends. For more information on all the programmes log on to: www.sta.uwi.edu/fye.

EXPLORING TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

While in Trinidad and Tobago you should experience the culture which offers many fun and exciting things to do. Some local attractions include:

• Ariapita Avenue • Bird Sanctuary, Caroni • Botanical Gardens • Emperor Valley Zoo • Harry’s Water Park • Hyatt Water Front • Las Cuevas Beach

• Maracas Beach • Millennium Golf Course, Trincity• Pitch Lake, La Brea • Strip at the Queens Park Savannah• Temple in the Sea, Waterloo• Pointe a Pierre Wild Fowl Trust• Zip lining, Chaquaramas


FINAL TIPS

BE PREPAREDUniversity is a lifetime experience which is filled with mixed emotions. Leaving home to venture out on your own may be difficult to do as one will be away from friends and family. If you are finding it difficult to adjust, feel free to see a counsellor at the Health Services Unit on campus.

GET INVOLVEDThe St. Augustine campus has a lot to offer, we therefore encourage you to make the most out of your university experience. There is a lot happening on Campus of which you can be a part. You can find out more about these events at orientation.

SEE YOU SOONWe are grateful that you have chosen the St. Augustine Campus and we look forward to meeting you at FYE events. University life is a tremendous experience and we urge you to make the best out of it. We look forward to welcoming you at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus!


2017 -2018 first steps - uwi st. augustine guide is designed to assist you in your preparation for...

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