ENGLISH OAK
RECRUITMENTUSEFUL INFORMATION
Living in
Britain
Life in Britain as a student can appear daunting to a student coming from Eastern Europe for the first time, however we hope the following information will help those contemplating study at an English university.
Currency
The following gives a rough guide to converting currency into and from British pounds (GBP) for a selection of countries. As exchange rates are subject to daily currency fluctuations this is only meant as a rough guide.
Poland
GBP 1 ≈ 5 Zt 1 Zt ≈ GBP 0.20
Latvia
GBP 1 ≈ 0.8 Lat 1 Lat ≈ GBP 1.14
Lithuania
GBP 1 ≈ 4.5 Litas 1 Lita ≈ GBP 0.22
Slovakia
GBP 1 ≈ 1.15 Euro 1 Euro ≈ GBP 0.85
Finding a Job
Most students at English universities also work part-time. It is recommended that students do not work more than 20 hours per week, to leave sufficient time for academic work and relaxation. A wide range of jobs is available, with students from central Europe typically working in cafes, bars, shops and factories. Some students have even obtained employment in offices and on building sites.
The British Government introduced an employment law some years ago which means employers are required to pay their employees a minimum wage, depending on age:
18-21 years GBP4.83 per hour (correct as at 10/09/09)
22 years + GBP5.80 per hour (correct as at 10/09/09)
Each university has a "jobs office" which helps students find suitable work. Alternatively there are numerous private employment agencies in every town or city. Where possible, universities try to ensure your classroom commitments are concentrated on certain days, thus leaving you sufficient time to work appropriate hours for an employer.
Cost of Living
It is certainly true that the cost of living in England is significantly higher than in central Europe. As a student, you will need to manage your finances carefully, but you should still be able to enjoy an exciting and rewarding year in England. For example, if you:
Work for 20hours: Earn approximately GBP 110.00 p.w.
Rent GBP45-70 e.g. - GBP 60.00
Groceries etc. GBP 20-35 e.g. - GBP 30.00
Money remaining GBP20.00
If you successfully apply for a bursary, you will have up to GBP1000 additional income available during the academic year.
Pastoral Support
Sometimes students need a little support and for the foreign student many towns have clubs and social groups to cater for specific nationalities and regions. Enquire at the town or city’s tourist information centre or contact the student services office of your chosen university.
All towns and cities have Catholic churches, who always welcome newcomers and which might be suitable for the foreign student. Many campuses also have a pastor available on site. Check out the website of the university of your choice.
Food
There are many cheap supermarkets providing good food at reasonable prices which are ideally suited to students. As many of the cheaper stores are run by central and eastern European companies they also tend to have more products familiar to the eastern European student that are unavailable in main stream stores. There are now many independent European shops in British towns which cater for the growing eastern European community in the UK. These shops have many of the more unusual or specialist ingredients and products and it is worth finding your local one.
Transport
The towns and cities of North England have excellent public transport networks with frequent buses and frequent train services. You pay for tickets on the bus when you travel, though many companies have special week or monthly tickets that can save you a lot of money. Call in to your local bus station when you arrive and the staff will be happy to advise you what the best option for you is.
Banking
Most banks are international and you can access all your normal facilities in England, however its worth checking before you travel just to make sure. You will need an account set up if you are doing any part time work or if you are receiving a student loan.
The Honours System
Thank you
for your E-mail and your assistance. I just can’t imagine what would I
have done if I didn’t had your assistance.
Remigijus, Panevezys, Lithuania
