student studentexchange exchange programme programme french language immersion award pre-departure...
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StudentStudent Exchang
eExchangeProgram
meProgrammeFrench 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
Pre-trip Preparation
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
Visa & Paperwork
Travel plans
Pre-trip Preparation
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
Insurance
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
Pre-trip Preparation
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 provided but 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!
Accommodation
Pre-trip Preparation
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!
Transportation
Finances
Pre-trip Preparation
Big Mac index
USA – 5.14France – 6.37Singapore – 4.45
1USD = S$1.44
Recommended monthly budget:Paris – €1,000Elsewhere - €800
www.economist.com (published March 17 2010)
Arrival
Pre-trip Preparation
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
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.
1. Important Documents
Things to Bring
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
2. Other Essentials
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
Things to Bring
Digital camera Photos of friends and family Souvenirs from Singapore Recipes, spices and “food mixes”
– you need to learn to cook!
4. Fun Stuff
3. Daily necessities
Pre-departure Checklist
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
Docs and Prep Things to Bring
Once You’re There
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
1. First things first
Once You’re There
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!
2. Settling In
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
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
Alcohol, drugs, partying, etc
Once You’re There
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
4. Culture Shock
Once You’re There
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
5. Your Classes & Advisors
Once You’re There
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!
Tips to make the best of your time
Once You’re There
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
Be mature and recognise differences
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 LyonNina Arnesen, [email protected], +33 472 43 89 99 (office), +33 6 33 06 51 82 (mobile)For questions related to the French courses : Delphine Fradois, [email protected]
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/Belgium for 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
