2. LONDON CALLING LIVING IN LONDON International Orientation 2014-5

3. Test your knowledge! 1.How many languages are spoken in London? a) 120 2) 200 3) 250

4. Test your knowledge! ANSWER: C – 250; London is the most linguistically diverse city the world! 2. Where is the best Underground station for spotting mice? a) Waterloo b) Victoria c) King’s Cross St Pancras

5. Test your knowledge! ANSWER: A – Waterloo (apparently!) 3. How many bathrooms are there in Buckingham Palace? a) 28 b) 78 c) 118

6. Where to start? Get to know your surrounding area Consult My Campus and My Local Area guides Make the most of KCLSU and college events Explore with new friends Find out what’s free! Try different places – food, entertainment, etc. Compile a list of all the different things you’d like to do, then start doing them! (The answer was 78, by the way)

7. Getting Around Expansive transport network across London: Underground Bus Train Taxi Riverboat Tram “Boris Bikes” Walking!

8. Discounts A student (18+) Oyster card might save you money - Apply online -For students on a course lasting more than fourteen weeks -Savings available on weekly/monthly/yearly travelcards only -See www.tfl.gov.uk and www.kcl.ac.uk/fundingwww.tfl.gov.ukwww.kcl.ac.uk/funding An 18-25 Railcard will save you a third off rail travel across the UK -Useful if you’ll be travelling outside of London -See www.16-25railcard.co.ukwww.16-25railcard.co.uk

9. Top Transport Tips Download a good transport app (e.g. Citymapper) Make use of your student discount if you’ll be travelling around London every day Buses MUCH cheaper than Tubes Plan alternative routes to college and home Only use black cabs and licensed taxis. Cabwise is a helpful app. And NEVER try to dodge your fare! Get a Young Person’s Railcard

10. Things to Do and See Students’ union – clubs, events, societies Museums and galleries – over 300 in London! Concerts, plays, musicals Football, cricket and other sporting events Festivals and other music events Parks Public buildings and monuments Cinemas Pubs and clubs Restaurants

11. What’s free? Most major museums and galleries give free admission, including: Tate Modern and Tate Britain National Gallery British Museum Imperial War Museum Victoria and Albert Museum Natural History Museum Science Museum You will only have to pay to enter special exhibitions.

12. What else? BBC TV and Radio online – iPlayer – www.bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.uk Free concerts and other events: Somerset House and the National Theatre (both near to King’s!) Music venues such as the Barbican, Wigmore Hall and Royal Festival Hall often host free lunchtime concerts – look in Time Out for information Many churches have regular free lunchtime concerts Open-air events in summer

13. And what’s cheap? Cinemas – if you avoid Central London! Many offer student discount and are cheaper on weekday afternoons. Theatres often run student and last-minute offers Even restaurants can offer student discounts – always check Lots of London parks have lidos which offer cheap swimming and are great in summer Students’ union facilities will often be cheaper than public ones (e.g. Gym) Lower-division football matches and twenty20 cricket

14. Top Tips for Going Out Check for student discounts. Sign up for loyalty cards and check for vouchers Find out what’s free Visit the KCLSU website and sign up to mailing lists to find out about discounts and special events Get to know your local area and check out the area guides and community guides

15. Top Tips for Going Out Free papers, Time Out magazine, and their websites Half-price ticket booth at Leicester Square Venue mailing lists Online ticket sales – www.ticketmaster.co.ukwww.ticketmaster.co.uk Ticket exchange - www.seatwave.comwww.seatwave.com Freebies and discounts – www.vouchercodes.co.uk (and other sites!)www.vouchercodes.co.uk Meal deals – www.toptable.co.ukwww.toptable.co.uk www.lastminute.com – good for gigs and shows www.lastminute.com Returns at venues – best seats for lowest price!

16. Shopping Big supermarkets: Sainsbury’s, Tesco, ASDA and Morrisons. Waitrose is more expensive. Argos: cheap for essentials like kettles and crockery – large store on New Oxford Street Brilliant markets! Lots of second hand bookshops – check out Charing Cross Road and Marchmont Street (WC1) Waterstones Gower Street – big academic bookshop Sales! Student discounts...oh, and obviously online!

17. Don’t forget... If you have a television it is against the law to not have a current television licence. For information and to get a licence go to www.tvlicensing.co.uk or pick up a form in our information roomwww.tvlicensing.co.uk Even if you are in College halls MAKE SURE YOU GET INSURANCE!!! If you don’t and your belongings are stolen or damaged you will lose a lot of money (www.endsleigh.co.uk specialise in student insurance policies)www.endsleigh.co.uk

18. Phones and bills Shop around for good deals (price comparison websites) Save money – call using Skype Go to The Carphone Warehouse or Phones4U for deals from different providers – more options! Be careful of special deals – they are often only cheap for the first few months! Open a UK bank account – otherwise you have to pay to withdraw money!

19. Top Tips for Shopping Find your nearest large supermarket and check out own-brands Check out some price comparison websites for the best deals for mobile phones etc. Explore your local area for local shops/markets Ask for student discounts in shops Get insurance!

20. KCLSU Located at Guy’s, Strand and Waterloo campuses Runs the clubs, societies and volunteering opportunities Lots of events and activities throughout the year Bars, venues and shops Job opportunities on-campus Academic Advice Service – for problems such as appeals, disciplinaries and complaints Campaigns www.kclsu.org

21. Stay fit! King’s Health and Fitness Centre, Stamford Street Great value for students New equipment and regular classes http://www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/sport/facilities/fitnesscentre.aspx Alternatively… EnergyBase (on Malet Street, near Goodge Street tube and Senate House Library) is a student gym with a large pool: http://www.student- central.co.uk/energybase/http://www.student- central.co.uk/energybase/

22. Exploring further afield… Lots to see in the UK On Europe’s doorstep! Make the most of Young Person’s Railcard and cheap flights etc Join the International Students’ House Travel Club Remember that Haggis and Shamrocker offer 15% off tours for King’s students if you type “KCL” into the promo box Keep an eye on the Facebook page for tips on where to go But…. Don’t forget to have documents with you when passing through immigration

23. Some Useful Links Transport: www.tfl.gov.uk www.youngpersons-railcard.co.uk www.thetrainline.comwww.thetrainline.com and http://uk.megabus.com/http://uk.megabus.com/ Discounts and deals: NUS card - www.nusextra.co.ukwww.nusextra.co.uk www.vouchercodes.co.ukwww.vouchercodes.co.uk (and others) www.timeout.com Price comparison – www.pricerunner.co.ukwww.pricerunner.co.uk www.facebook.com/kingsinternationalstudentsupport

24. Help! If you are unhappy, looking for more information, or have a problem and need help or advice… You’re probably not the only one! Don’t ignore the issue Don’t pay someone for advice Do make use of the services at King’s: - Student Advisers, Counsellors, the Compass, Health Centre, Chaplains and the Students’ Union are here to help! – all are free, confidential and impartial

25. My London “When a man is tired of London he is tired of life, for there is in London all that life can afford.” - Samuel Johnson

26. QUESTIONS? OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.KCL.AC.UK/ADVICE