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| Fri, 4/7/2008 | ||
Visiting or moving to a new country brings one face to face with oftentimes startling differences. We've compiled a list of essential facts and guide for the would-be traveler to London. Select a topic from the list below for some invaluable insight.
AccommodationFinding accommodation in London can be a daunting task. There is a myriad of housing options, so how do you go about choosing the place that is best for you? Prepare yourself for a shock in terms of the price of housing too! Property is incredibly expensive and will almost definitely get a lot less for your money than you did in your home country. If you are a traveler of the backpacking kind, you will have to share a flat or a room with another person as living alone is a pleasure of the rich! But don't feel discouraged. Finding lodgings is a part of your adventure that is just beginning and sooner or later you will find something that suits you.
London is divided into six zones. Zone 1 is in the middle and Zones 2 to 6 radiate in concentric circles from the centre, like a shooting target. You will find that generally, the further you venture from the centre of the city, the cheaper the price of renting or buying property becomes. Naturally there are many different suburbs; each with their own price range and your budget will largely determine your choice of area. Keep in mind that rent contracts are usually for six months or more. You have several options when it comes to choosing your new home. Here are the basics:
Shared Housing (also known as 'Communes')This kind of living arrangement is the most popular among young travelers and it is by far the cheapest. A flat or house will be shared by as many inhabitants as possible to keep costs to the minimum and they will usually be of the same age, sometimes all from the southern hemisphere and all with same goal: to experience living in London and having fun while doing it! Sharing living quarters in this way provides you with an instant group of friends with a bit of knowledge to share about the nitty gritty facts of living in London.
Please note that the word 'commune' has a completely different meaning in England. Communes conjure up images of hippies and sheep farms in Mexico; 'shared housing' is a lot closer to the truth!
ADVANTAGESSome people opt for living in a youth hostel or a budget hotel on a permanent basis instead of finding a flat or house. This is more expensive than shared housing and you may find yourself sharing a room with anything between three and seven people, sometimes more, usually of the same sex. Bathrooms are shared between roughly ten to twenty people of both sexes. Generally you will find a kitchen with fridges and a kind of common room for the occupants to watch TV or play games in.
ADVANTAGESBedsit is short for "bed and sitting room" and as the name indicates, consists of one room that functions as a bedroom, sitting room and kitchen. Generally a bedsit comes with a small fridge and cooking plate and a bathroom will be shared with a few other inhabitants.
ADVANTAGESSome landlords- or ladies tend to be rather nosy about their tenants' comings and goings, sometimes even snooping in their belongings when they are not there.
Studio flats, flats and housesFor professional people that find themselves with a higher budget for accommodation, there is a lot of property available. Be warned that property is a lot more expensive and lot smaller that you may expect. It is a good idea to visit a few housing agents to get an idea of what is available in your price-class. Please note that it is illegal for an agent to charge you for a showing. Agent fees are paid by the letter or seller of the property, so watch out for agents trying to pull a fast one!
ADVANTAGESNow that you have a better idea of what is available in London, where on earth does one start looking? There is an abundance of accommodation in every suburb and it is up to you to narrow your search down to one or two areas to avoid traipsing all over London to view places, something that wastes infinite amounts of time and money. Your budget will lead you in your choice of area and as soon as you know where to look, your search can be on its way.
Here are a few tips on areas in London:
The following areas are some ways from the centre of London and are therefore a bit cheaper and will you find many young travellers:
Leyton, Leytonstone, Walthamstow, Turnpike Lane, Finnsbury Park, Putney, Willesden Green, Hammersmith, Earl's Court, Bethnal Green, Highbury, Islington, Northfields and Southfields.
The following suburbs are closer to town and are in the catch areas for the some of the better quality schools in London:
Epping, Thydon Bois, the areas around Wimbledon, Putney and Southfields. Wembley is a little more expensive as it is closer to the centre of town.
Muswell Hill and Highgate are beautifully located and are in close proximity of excellent public and private schools.
If you have already secured a job, it would be advisable to find accommodation as close as possible to your place of employment. Commuting to and from work can quickly becomes tedious and time consuming chore. Once again your budget will largely determine in which area you live. If you do not yet have a job, there are two ways of going about it: first find a job and then accommodation close to your workplace.
Alternatively you can start with accommodation and find a job close by. The advantage of doing it this way around is that you will immediately have a phone number where employers and friends can reach you and nothing beats going to your own home after a long, tiring day of job hunting!
WHERE DO I LOOK?The easiest place to start looking is in one of the following newspapers:
The Loot (that sells absolutely everything imaginable),
The London Evening Standard and
The TNT Magazine.
You will soon notice the extent of accommodation available as well as which areas you can afford.
Another option is to search through a housing agent, quite handy to quickly get an overview of what is available in your price class. Note that this option is only available to persons interested in renting or buying studio flats, flats and houses as they do not cater for shared housing or hostels.
Once you have made an appointment to view the property you are interested in, be ready to ask a question or two:
Landlords may require a letter of reference from a previous landlord that testifies that you are indeed a trustworthy and punctual tenant.
BEFORE YOU SIGN ANYTHING, READ THIS!If you have found everything satisfactory (or as close as it's going to get), the time has come to sign the contract. Renting property is relatively easy: the agent or letter will provide you with a contract that will be signed by the both of you. Check for accuracy regarding the price of rent and the length of the contract. Agree on the exact time and method of payment of the rent every month.
Read through the contract thoroughly and make sure that it not only places obligations on you regarding the property, but also offers you protection. Make sure exactly what fees will be payable at the termination of your contract. Things like cleaning of carpets and curtains could eat up your entire deposit and leave you with a bill on top of it. It is not unheard of that problems only start when it comes to the returning of your deposit.
Keep a record of every payment made. Insist on a receipt for the deposit paid as well as each monthly payment. If you are renting through an agent, you should request that your payment is paid into their trust fund and that you receive proof e.g. a deposit slip. This prevents the agent from making you responsible for recouping the deposit money from the letter when it is their responsibility to repay the deposit.
Protect your own interests by making a highly detailed and accurate inventory of the contents and condition of the property in the presence of a witness and the agent or letter when you move in. The agent or letter will probably have an inventory ready: check it carefully for quantities and condition of every mentioned item on the list including crockery and furniture. Also check for damage to the walls, light fittings, door handles, carpeting and windows. Once you have checked everything, you may sign the inventory and hand it back to the agent or letter. Make sure that both your and his/her copy are signed by the agent or letter and attached to the contract and that you receive a copy of the signed inventory. This is your proof should any discrepancies arise later on. Some landlords will try to find an excuse to refuse you your deposit and may blame you for damage that was already done at the time of your occupation of the property, so be extremely careful and precise when filling out the inventory.
Also be sure that to receive a copy of the contract and keep it in a safe place.
The landlord or agent may not refuse the repayment of your deposit if you have kept to the stipulations of the contract. If you are being unjustly refused, you may go to the Citizen Buro or Council of Estate Agents for resolution of the conflict. Alternatively you may lay a claim at the Small Claims Court. Should the problem persist or in dire circumstances, please contact our office for further assistance.
HANDY FACTS FOR PROSPECTIVE RENTERS OF PROPERTY:The buying of property is a rather complicated business. Breytenbachs can be of invaluable assistance in this matter. Please see the section on Property & Conveyancing.
If you are concerned about finding a job upon your arrival in London, worry no more! London is one of the largest cities in the world and with about 12 million inhabitants, the workforce is virtually insatiable. If you are willing to work, there will be something for you to do. Even a little bit of experience in any field will go a long way towards helping you find a job.
Be warned that it is impossible to find employment without the necessary paperwork in London. Before doing anything else, a prospective employer will want to see your passport containing the applicable permit or visa. There is a wide variety of visas and permits available to the aspirant worker in England and exactly which one is best for you depends largely on your individual circumstances. Breytenbachs can advise on which permit or visa you qualify for as well as all the requirements to be met by you and subsequently assist you in the acquisition.
Curriculum VitaeIt is a good idea to prepare a CV even before your departure. Make sure that you include every little bit of experience that might be useful. Be advised that employers often phone references indicated on a CV, so let your references know that a prospective employer may be contacting them. See to it that your CV has a professional and complete appearance. Employers feel nervous about time gaps in CV's, so indicate time spent traveling or on holidays. Be careful not to flood your CV with unimportant facts. Employers want to see at a glance what you have done and what it is you can do for them. It is advisable to present a quick summary of all your qualifications and experience on page one and then follow it up with an unabridged version of your many talents.
Where to look?There are many ways of securing a job for yourself in London. The quickest and easiest is probably:
People in London work hard and you will be expected to do the same. Honesty about the amount of hours worked and work completed is essential.
The dress code for office workers is strictly smart and professional, so take along clothes that will fit into this category.
An office in London will generally accommodate a diversity of people of different languages, races and religions; something that offers you an excellent opportunity to get to know people of different cultures.
Tax and National InsuranceEvery single person employed in the UK must have a number that is known as a NI (National Insurance) number. As soon as you start working, a temporary NI number will be issued to you (a number consisting of your date of birth, the first two letters of your surname and an 'F' or a 'M' for female or male) and you will start paying 'Emergency Tax'. This means that you will be paying a slightly higher percentage on your earnings until you have received your permanent NI number. To get your NI number, you need to go to a DSS (Department of Social Services) office and fill out some forms and get registered by an officer. You will also need to show your passport and relevant visa or work permit. Roughly six weeks after your visit, you will receive your NI number and a card that entitles you to free or subsidised health care and possibly more benefits, should you qualify. Once you receive your NI number, your tax will fall to the appropriate level.
Another thing before you go!For those who are interested in starting their own business, please contact us on info@breytenbachs.com for assistance.
In London, owning your own car is completely superfluous. The public transport system is wonderfully alive and well and there is nowhere you can't go by using the super efficient system of trains - above ground and below, buses, cabs and mini cabs.
The London Underground or the TubeThis is the underground train system running in tunnels in the bowels of London and main mode of transport used by millions of Londoners every day to commute between work and home. There are train lines running in every direction and right to the outskirts of London, so it is really an incredibly efficient way of getting around. The efficiency naturally gets used to its maximum capabilities and during peak times the trains are packed to their capacity - you may think that there is not space for a mouse and then at the next station, another ten people squash on!
The Tube map may appear quite complicated at first and you might wonder how on earth you will ever get to your destination. But rest assured that it only takes a day or two of getting lost and figuring it out on the famous Tube Map until you are hopping on and off the Tube like a seasoned Londoner!
How it works: there are automated ticket machines at every station and you simply select your destination from the vast array of buttons that are alphabetically arranged, select if you want a single journey ticket or a return journey ticket, pay the amount displayed and the machine will dispense your ticket and change.
As an alternative, you can purchase a Travelcard. This ticket is valid for unlimited journeys within the zones indicated on your ticket, not only on the Tube, but also buses, night buses and the Overland trains. If you are planning to do a fair bit of traveling or sightseeing, this is definitely the more economical option. Before you purchase your Travelcard, decide in which zones you will be travelling for the day, as you need to specify when buying your ticket. As Zone 1 is quite expensive, it makes a significant difference to the price if Zone 1 is included or not, so plan your travelling carefully to save yourself some money. Travelcards are available as a 'One Day Travelcard' (valid for one day only) and 'Weekend Travelcards' (Saturday and Sunday on one ticket and slightly cheaper than two One Day tickets). Alternatively, get yourself an Oystercard, a debit card look-alike that can be topped up at stations, on the internet or by phone. All you need to do is swipe your card on the reader at the turnstiles before and after your journey.
Forget about cheating the system. It doesn't pay. Every station has automatic turnstiles into which a valid ticket must be inserted to grant you entry to and exit from the station. There are guards who watch for people trying to jump the machines and conductors regularly get on the trains to check if passengers are carrying the correct tickets. If you are caught without the right ticket/valid oystercard, you are liable for a on-the-spot fine. Not really worth the stress and constant worry.
Remember that you stand on the right and pass on the left on the impressively long escalators in the underground stations. Be warned that a Londoner in a hurry might just hurt you if you are standing on the right and blocking the endless flow of human traffic! You will soon become one with the current and scowl just as hard at the 'stupid tourists' blocking the way.
Help and maps are available at the manned cubicles in every station. Don't be afraid! Get yourself a map and hop onto the adventures of living in London.
You can find more information on the London underground on the website www.tfl.gov.uk
Buses and Night busesLondon has a wonderful bus system that is fast, reliable and covers the entire inner and outer area of London. There are also open-air buses that do tours of the city. This is an excellent way to get your bearings upon arriving in London and getting an idea of the lay out of the city. They work on the "Hop on, Hop off" basis, i.e. you can get off any time you like to see the sights of your choice and then just get on again to complete the route. Catch them at their starting point at Trafalgar Square so as not to miss anything!
There are naturally some parts of London that the Tube can't reach and here is where buses are your saviours. Unfortunately buses are subject to traffic jams, something the Tube avoids altogether, and that could stretch your travelling time somewhat.
Night buses travel the same routes as the day routes and are indicated by an 'N' in front of the route number. This is the cheapest if not the quickest way to get home after the Tubes stop running.
Information regarding bus routes and route maps are available at the main stations or visit www.transportforlondon.gov.uk for information on tariffs, route times, tours and more.
British RailAnother way to get around in London is the overland National Rail trains. They travel around in the outskirts of London and if you want to visit towns and cities in England, this would be the way to go. It is possible to only ever use the overland trains; should you for instance live and work in Zone 3 or 4, you could avoid the Tube altogether and travel by rail alone. This would save you some money and as these trains tend to be less crowded, it's a slightly better travelling experience.
Black cabs and Mini cabsBlack cabs are those famous taxicabs that you've seen on all English movies. It's a very quick and convenient to get from point A to B, but it's rather pricey. The price is determined by a meter that measures the distance travelled. At night the cabbie (taxi driver) will raise his fee slightly, possibly also when you have a lot of luggage or if there are many people piling in. To hail a cab, you simply have to stick your arm up into the air. Make sure that the yellow light on the roof is on; that indicates that it is available for hire. Be on the lookout for other cab-hailers and position yourself closer in relation to the flow of traffic in order for the cabbie to see you first. The maximum amount of passengers in a black cab is 5.
Mini cabs function on a slightly different concept: these you need to book one in advance, either by 'phone or by going into one of the little offices on the street and reserving one, they cannot be hailed on the street. Unlike black cabs, mini cabs usually take the shape of a sedan type car. When booking your mini cab, agree on the destination and a price to avoid squabbling later on. If you need to find a mini cab, keep your eyes open for the little pamphlets that are always around everywhere, or for one of the offices on the street.
Cabs are a relatively safe option for travelling, but single females should exercise caution late at night. Ideally a woman should not get into a cab alone, but if it can't be otherwise, get a friend to write down the registration and company number of the cab in full sight of the driver.
Be aware of 'cowboy' taxi drivers that hang around nightclubs and pubs around closing time, hoping to pick up passengers. They don't operate under a company and should any kind of problem arise, like injury or theft, you will not have leg to stand on. Unless you are really desperate and there are a few of you together, these guys are probably best avoided.
On your feet!Still the best way to experience the sights and sounds of London is to walk it. Especially in inner city London, the distances between Tube stations are sometimes miniscule and you could easily walk that distance in a few minutes. Things fly by when you are travelling on the bus or the train; so many things you can only appreciate on street level: the myriad of unknown and known smells, the press of hundreds of people all busily on their way and lots of weird and wonderful things you have never seen before. That's what it's all about after all, travelling to a strange, new country!
There are quite a few guided walks that you can join up with, many of them with some kind of theme, for instance the 'Jack the Ripper' walk or the 'Georgian Architecture' walk etc. They are great to get a bit of history with your exercise!
"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life" - Samuel Johnson
There is absolutely no shortage of entertainment in London, quite the opposite! In fact, there is so much to do that you could find it hard to make a decision and eventually the amount of pounds in your pocket may decide the evening's entertainment. London is an inexhaustible source of restaurants, pubs, theatre performances, concerts, nightclubs, shops, museums and sights to see. It may be true to say that London is the most cosmopolitan city in the world, what with all the influences from Europe, the East, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas all finding a niche on this tiny island and particularly in London. In this way a representative of every country, language and culture can be found here, truly making London a city of the world.
EATING & DRINKINGThe Pub is the oldest and proudest tradition in England when it comes to consuming a beverage. It is your local bar, your second home, the place you go to meet your friends after a hard day's work to have pint of beer or two. Beer is called 'lager' in England and may be purchased in two sizes: a pint (roughly half a litre) and a half-pint (about 280ml). You will know a pub by its rather dark and smoky interior, the wooden bar that has seen generations of drinkers and the little group of oldish, English men hanging around the bar discussing football. Pubs serve food that is known as 'pub fare' and invariably include old favourites like 'liver and onions', 'bangers and mash' and 'fish & chips'.
Some pubs are the front-of-house of breweries and you will see that these pubs will only sell the beer brewed in that particular brewery. This usually takes the shape of a dark, luke warm, flat beer called 'ale'. Pubs that sell all kinds of beer have the words 'free house' on their street signs.
There are of course many other places to take a drink; most popular are the hundreds of cocktail and wine bars all over London. These cater for the younger and more modern drinker, often sporting very funky interior design and live music. There are many to be found in Leicester Square and Covent Garden areas; simply take a walk around to find them.
Restaurants and 'chippies'As you may or may not have noticed, there are more foreigners in London than there are Brits. This means that you can find cuisine from all over the world and it merely depends on your budget how much and well you eat!
The bottom of the food chain is what is known as the 'chippie'. Here is where you buy greasy fish and chips with brown sauce wrapped in newspaper. Here you will also find many weird and wonderful things like pickled eggs in huge jars and chocolate bars that have been battered and deep-fried. Battering and deep-frying anything seem to be the speciality of chippies.
Restaurants are abundant all over London and you will have no trouble finding one. If you like Chinese food, get yourself to Soho where London's China Town is situated. Delicious food at reasonable prices can be found here but read the menus on the windows before you choose a restaurant to avoid a nasty surprise when the bill comes.
For up-to-date information, look in the Time Out Magazine's Eating and Drinking Guide.
THEATRE & MUSICThe theatre has been an undeniable part of London's entertainment for hundreds of years. Ever since Shakespeare's days of entertaining the masses, London has been a centre for all things cultural. In the famous West End of London you will find the biggest collection of theatres where you can see well-known pieces like 'Les Miserables' in addition to a huge selection of classic and modern theatre pieces.
You can buy tickets at the theatre box office and this is the cheapest option as you don't have to pay agent commission fees. Alternatively you can purchase tickets from the many agents operating in London, but make sure that it is a legitimate agent and that you are not being tricked! Agents selling tickets telephonically can be found in the newspaper or you can go to the booths in Leicester Square and Covent Garden.
If you love music, you are going to love London. Every band, musician and DJ that you could possibly wish for come to London sooner or later. The big concerts take place in Wembley Arena and Earl's Court. A step down in size is the venues at Shepherd's Bush Empire and The Forum. Then there is live music to be seen at a great many places, including pubs and clubs.
For a complete guide to what is happening in London, see the Time Out Magazine. Here you will also find addresses and telephone numbers for theatres and agents.
SIGHTSEEINGThere are a few sights that every visitor to London must see, regardless if you are visiting for a few days or if you have been living here for years and years. Here is a quick list:
Buckingham Palace - St. James's Park Tube
See the famous changing of the guard, an event that draws thousands of tourists, so get there early. Get your photo taken with the guards that are famous for the fact that they may not bat an eyelid regardless of what is being done to them by torturous tourists. The queen's flag will be hoisted when she is in.
Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey - Westminster Tube
These are three of the most famous buildings in London. Guy Fawkes tried to bomb the Buildings of Parliament in 1605, hence our celebrations to this day, and can still be seen. Westminster Abbey is an awesome sight see; here is where coronations have been taking place for a thousand years. Big Ben needs no introduction; it is the most famous clock tower in the world!
The Tower of London - Tower Hill Tube
This magnificent building was erected in 1066 as a palace, castle and jail, just after William the Conqueror invaded London. Discover the bloody and cruel history of London here, as well as the real Crown Jewels - well worth the visit!
London Bridge - London Bridge or Tower Hill Tube
This is one of the most famous symbols of the London skyline. There is also a museum that tells of the 100-year history of the bridge.
St. Paul's Cathedral - St. Paul's Tube
This magnificent cathedral in central London survived a bombing in the Second World War. When Christmas comes around, one can see a performance of Handel's Messiah here, well worth the hours of waiting in the queue!
Natural History Museum - South Kensington Tube
A wonderful museum of gigantic proportions and endless exhibitions. Get there early so you have time to rest during the traversing of the museum and to beat the tour and school groups
- St.Paul's of Barbican Tube
Here you will find everything you ever wanted to know about the incredibly long and varied history of London.
Science Museum - South Kensington Tube
This museum tells you everything you have ever wondered about in science and there are great interactive displays to play with.
Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum - Baker Street Tube
This museum is world famous and it may seem to you that your visit to London will not be complete unless you have witnessed this bastion of wonder. But think twice before you queue for hours to gain admittance to a hot and fully packed museum where you get to see sometimes highly unconvincing wax representations of people you have no interest in. The choice is yours.
Planetarium - right next to Mme Tussaud's
Breathtaking shows, definitely worth the visit!
National Gallery - Leicester Square Tube
For those of you who are interested in art, this museum is a must-see. The permanent collection includes world famous paintings. Entry to state owned museums is free so you can go again and again to see everything.
Tate Britain - Pimlico Tube and Tate Modern - Southwark Tube
These two art museums may not be missed! World famous art works can be see here, antique and modern.
Hyde Park - Hyde Park tube or Bayswater Tube
This park is one of the essential London experiences. It is huge and full of people doing interesting things, especially on sunny days when every pale Londoner sheds his or her clothes to soak up some sun. Listen to the fanatics have their say at the famous Speaker's Corner, be entertained for a few minutes or so and then go get some ice cream.
Marble Arch - Marble Arch Tube
A model of the Arc d'Triomph in Paris.
BUY BUY BUY!For those of you interested in shopping, here follows a the most popular areas:
Oxford Street
This street is the shopping mecca for reasonably priced clothes, shoes, books and music. This is the place to come to if you are looking for basic goods and clothes, and there are a few amusing curio shops along this street. Go see Selfridges, one of London's most famous department stores, and soak up the energy of thousands of fervent shoppers going about their business. Be warned that Saturdays and Sundays are very busy!
High Street Kensington
Here is where you find the exclusive shops and designer outlets and goods that are generally in a higher price range. There is also a flea market that is half above ground and half below ground where you can find anything from cheap clothing to very strange accessories.
Camden Town
This is perhaps the spot in London that is most famous for shopping. A huge area consisting of thousands of shops and markets, here you can find clothes, shoes, music and food of every description. Arts & crafts, furniture, art, tattoo and piercing studios and anything else you can think of.
Harrods
The most famous department store in the whole wide world. Take the Tube to Knightsbridge and go see this bastion of shopping and have a giggle at some of the prices.
Covent Garden
Here are a couple of markets that sell all kinds of things, perhaps of better quality and therefore more expensive than Camden Town. You can see Houdini impersonators and fire-eaters all day long in the square and there are human statues dotted everywhere. Walk through the markets and go listen to the classical music performers at the little restaurant below street level.
The weather in Britain and clothes to bring
You can expect lots of cloudy weather and frequent showers and for that reason it is wise to carry an umbrella at all times. Remember to take sufficient warm clothes and underwear, as it gets very cold in winter. You don't need to take huge amounts of casual clothes. You will soon see that clothes are very reasonably priced. What is necessary to bring is a formal outfit or two and a pair of formal shoes that you can wear when attending interviews. If you are going to be working in an office, formal attire is a pre-requisite.
British ways and eccentricities
The Brits are famous for their eccentricities. Here are a few of the basics to make life easier:
The National Drink of England is tea. Brits love tea and any impending disaster is much easier handled with a cuppa tea in hand!
Pedestrian Crossings: In Britain they have lamps on either side of the road, which means that drivers have to slow down to, let you cross safely. Be careful when crossing, just to be safe.
Bobby: Bobbies are the black-clad policeman with the hard hats that are actually there to help. He is the one to ask for directions when you get lost and for assistance when your cat is stuck in the tree.
The National Health Service and your health
Whenever you go to a foreign country, it is very important to take good care of your health. Your body will be exposed to a whole myriad of viruses and bacteria that it is not familiar with. Drink lots of water and take a multi vitamin to boost your immune system.
Should you get ill or injured, you may make use of an NH (National Health) doctor or hospital. It is important to register with a doctor or medical centre as soon as you obtain your National Insurance number. You can call 0845 302 1487 to obtain advice on getting your NI number. You will not receive any medical care until the registration process has been completed and it is better that it is done before an emergency arises. Your Department of Social Security office will supply you with a list of doctors, dentists and hospital that can provide you with free or subsidised medical care.
SAD syndrome: This phenomenon is apparent in countries where it is extremely cold and the sun doesn't shine much in winter. Doctors found that some people develop a certain kind of deficiency due to a lack of vitamin D in the body and this may lead to depression. Be on the lookout for SAD and get yourself to a tropical island if it rears its ugly head!
Culture shock: In many ways England's culture is very similar to those of Commonwealth countries. Many things might be familiar to you; the language and TV, products and shops; you may think that you will experience little or no culture shock. But maybe one day everything will feel wrong and unpleasant and you may wonder why you ever came to this country. You have been hit by culture shock.
There are three phases:
PHASE 1:Excitement!
Everything is new and exhilarating and you are bowled over by the wonder of it all. You decide that you are never going home because everything is so much better here. You can earn more money here, the food tastes better, the people are friendlier and nobody tells you what to do. What a wonderful place!
PHASE 2: Negativity.
The novelty has worn off and your life has fallen into a steady routine of eating, sleeping and working. Everything is a drag. You miss everyone at home terribly and you are either phoning or e-mailing every day. You hate the Tube and the weather and the unfriendly people and you want to go home. You never go out anymore and you are depressed and lonely.
PHASE 3: Adaptation.
You have successfully negotiated culture shock when you reach Phase 3. That is when you achieve a realistic view of the country that you are living in: you see the negative side but do not allow yourself to become negative because of it. You participate in activities with other people and enjoy your experience of this foreign country. You have adapted to your circumstances. Of course you still miss your friends and family at home, but you find fulfilment in things around you and are not constantly longing for home. When you know the stages, you can help yourself through them until you reach the final phase and happiness in London. Remember that you are going to have bad days, regardless if you are in London or in your home country. Do something that you know is going to make you feel better and don't sit at home alone feeling sorry for yourself - you can make it!
It is a good idea to bring the bulk of your money in traveller's cheques (in pounds, of course!) and a little bit in cash so you can at least buy a Tube ticket at the airport. Traveller's cheques offer you maximum security; the issuer will repay you the full amount if they get stolen. Remember to do the following: write down the serial numbers of all your cheques, better yet is to make photo copies, and keep a record of the cheques you have cashed. Keep this record separately from your cheques so that they don't get lost in the same mishap. Best is to leave the copies and the emergency phone number safely with someone at home. Don't EVER countersign the cheques before you want to cash them. You have to countersign in the presence of the cashier. You will need to show your passport, remember to take it with you. There are hundreds of agents that cash traveller's cheques and some of them are open 24 hours. Look at their signs to see how much commission they charge. Look out for an agent of the issuer of your cheques, for instance American Express or Thomas Cook. They charge no commission to cash their own cheques.
The cost of living is very high in London. Try to adapt to the new currency as soon as possible. How much money should you take? The more the better! If you can take a substantial amount, it will serve as a buffer should you not immediately find a job and contribute to your own peace of mind. Remember that you will need to pay the deposit and one month's rent in advance when you find a place to live. Then you will have to cover food and travel costs and those unexpected costs that always pop up.
Be very careful when phoning home - telephone costs pile up incredibly fast and before you know it, your phone bill is so big that you want to skip the country. Buy a phone card and save!
Bank Accounts: Opening a bank account may become a bit tricky for you as a foreigner in England. Fair enough, as a newly arrived traveller you may not look like the best business to a bank, especially if you don't have a lot of money to deposit into your new account. This puts you in an awkward situation because many employers pay their employees in one way: they deposit your wage into your bank account and if you don't have one, there is a problem. Thus we have a 'Catch 22' situation: you can't open a bank account until you have a job and you can't get a job until you have a bank account. One way to get around this is to register with an employment agency; they can help you open a bank account with their bank. Bring a letter from your bank that states what an excellent client you have been, it may just help.
Fortunately there are so many travellers in London that a great many social structures have been set in place and it is very easy to get in touch with one or more. Here follows the names and addresses of a couple of churches:
Hillsong Church - www.hillsong.co.uk
Regent's College, Regent's Park, Baker Street TubeSouth African Congregation - www.sagemeente.com
Please visit their website for more informationHis People
The Reynolds Building, Imperial College Medical Campus, St. Dunstan's Rd, Hammersmith, LondonSA Presbyterian Church in London
Turning Point - www.draaipunt.com
A group of South African Christians, gathering as a congregation in Canada Water - www.canadawaterkerk.com
Post Offices, Internet Cafes and telephoning
Post Offices
Sending mail in Britain works on a first or second-class basis. If you put a first class stamp on a letter, it will be delivered in London on the same day. A second-class stamp will get delivery on the next day. Sending parcels is relatively cheap as long as they are not too heavy. A pamphlet available at the Post Office will give you a lay out of the costs.
There are thousands of Internet Cafes in London and e-mailing has become dirt cheap. Compared with the high price of phoning home, e-mailing might be a better option for keeping contact with the folks back home.
Phone Cards: British Telecom (BT) charges the earth for international phone calls. It is much more economical to purchase a phone card from the supermarket or corner shop. Scratch off the silver bit and your pin number will be revealed. Phone the toll free number on the card, key in your pin number and make your call. In this way you can keep track of your spending and keep the costs low.
Boots: This is the place to go for all your pharmacy and cosmetic needs. They have brilliant specials from time to time. The bigger branches sell sandwiches and drinks for lunch.
Tesco's, Safeway, ASDA, Sainsbury's: These are the big brand supermarkets. Here you can buy all your groceries.
H&M, Topshop: Clothing shops where you can find relatively cheap and fashionable clothes.
Airports - Just arrived at Heathrow?
The cheapest way to get to the city is by Tube. Fortunately the directions in the airport are superb; just follow the signs pointing you to the 'Underground'. Buy your ticket at the automatic machine or at the manned cubicles. You need at the very least a vague idea of where you are going when buying your ticket. If you don't quite yet know, it is probably best to buy a ticket to Zone 1. You will be in the centre of town and can find your way from there.
Things to do before you leave & things to bring!| Ask the Expert |
| 'I heard rumours that the two-year
working holiday is going to be replaced by a new scheme
and that South Africans will no longer be eligible to
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| What our clients have to say |
| I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your hard work put in for my work permit application. I am sure you do understand how grateful I am! Thank you very much. Due to my passport coming back so early I am able to go celebrate Christmas with my family under sunny SA skies! There is no better place than home - thank you!! Cledia Pate Do you want to know whether you qualify for a UK work permit or visa? Click here! |
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