Pre-Departure Briefingby NUS International Relations Office

IARU Global Summer Program 2015

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BRIEFING OVERVIEW

Pre-Trip Preparation Upon Arrival Before Departure Find Out About… Things To Bring Pre-Departure Checklist Conduct Financial Aid Important Contacts Q & A

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PRE-TRIP PREPARATION

Completing Your Online Registration

Submit registration and pay programme fees

Receive further instructions via email

Acceptance letter for your visa application

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PRE-TRIP PREPARATION

Visa Applications

Advice from the various embassies• Peak period for processing visas is now until end-July.• Apply for your visa as soon as you can• Ensure that you purchase health insurance

Common errors• Forget to attend visa interview• Forget to pay visa application fees• Forget to bring crucial documents to interview

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PRE-TRIP PREPARATION

Paperwork

Singaporeans – eRegister your trip with MFA.

NSmen – Notify MINDEF about your trip via NS Portal.

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PRE-TRIP PREPARATION

Housing

Coordinated through the GSP host university Pay attention to instructions given via email Ensure that you pay any housing fees promptly Research to confirm if housing comes with meal plan

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PRE-TRIP PREPARATION

Insurance

Health insurance is a requirement for the visa and particpating in the programme NUS Travel Insurance (do a Google search for details) Also covers delayed flights and lost baggage

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PRE-TRIP PREPARATION

Travel Plans

Buy your flights as soon as you can through a travel agent or online; check for student fares

Consider travelling together in groups

Check your baggage allowance before packing!

Remember to sign up for frequent flyer programmes

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UPON ARRIVAL

Getting to Your Host University

Figure out where your accommodation is! Google Maps Host university website Ask the housing property manager Ask the GSP coordinator at the host university

Welcome Tea / Orientation

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UPON ARRIVAL

eRegister with MFA (if you have not already done so) and find out the address of the nearest Singapore Embassy / Consulate

Find out about the local numbers to call in case of emergencies (police, ambulance, campus security, etc.)

Call home! Ensure that your family members know how to contact you, and make sure you inform them if you are going to travel or cannot be reached

Personal safety is paramount! Don’t walk about alone, stay out too late at night and beware of pickpockets

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BEFORE DEPARTURE

Administrative Processes

Pay outstanding fees (if any)

Request for transcript (if required)

Do not over-stay!

Buy appreciation gifts for your new friends

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FIND OUT ABOUT…

Do’s and don’ts in the countryWeather/temperature Time difference with Singapore Currency exchange rate How to report the loss of passport / credit card How to get aroundWhich side of the road they drive onWhat is required to rent a car Visit www.wikitravel.org

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THINGS TO BRING

Important Documents

Passport (min. six months validity) eTicket for your flights Copies of your insurance policy

Please make sure that your name is spelt correctly on all the important documents. Make copies of all the 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 be easily sent to you in the event that you lose those with you.

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PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST

Documents

Passport / visa eTicket for flights Accommodation details Insurance Cash / Credit card Emergency contacts Vaccinations / check-ups Driving license

Things To Bring

Appropriate clothing First Aid kit Medication Adapters & chargers Microphone Umbrella / raincoat Proper footwear Toiletries Alarm clock Digital camera Photos & souvenirs

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CONDUCT

Be independent Be respectful and appreciative Culture Shock – Be open to new ideas, food and ways of thinking Avoid offending others or taking offence; if you make a mistake, apologise! If others make a mistake, do not take it to heart either Try to get to know other people Be responsible for your own actions Don’t drink if you’re below 18 years of age

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IMPORTANT CONTACTS

NUS

Orion KewInternational Relations Office#03-03, Shaw Foundation Alumni House11 Kent Ridge DriveSingapore 119244

Email: irook@nus.edu.sgTel: +65 6516 6172Fax: +65 6778 0177WWW: www.nus.edu.sg/iro

Please try not to contact our partners unless you have very pressing questions! Direct your queries to IRO first.

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Thank you for attending this pre-departure briefing!