Here are some handy tips for moving to the UK from the Cayman Islands…
…written BY students FOR students!
THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU ARRIVE:
Be sure to register with CCUK! sign up HERE
By being a registered member of our student network you will be kept up to date with upcoming CCUK events in the UK and Cayman as well as have access to helpful resources from the CCUK network and the Cayman Islands Government Office, London.
THINGS TO DO AS YOU ARRIVE:
- Register with a local GP
Healthcare is currently free in the UK however dental and prescriptions must be paid for. The website below will help you find your nearest GP as well as informs you of the registration process and the necessary documentation to take with you.
http://www.psd.scot.nhs.uk/doctors/registration-with-a-practice.html
2. Setup a bank account.
Santander is a great bank for international students (which we’re initially treated as), Santander also offers a great app that allows you to monitor your monthly spending – “Spendlytics”
Barclay’s Bank is another great option for students. Barclays is easy to register with and offers a range of banking options such as student accounts, saving accounts and overdraft options. They also provide an easy and secure mobile app that allows you to monitor your spending and make payments to others from your device.
http://www.barclays.co.uk/Otheraccounts/Studentaccounts/StudentAdditionsAccount/P1242557963772
This website may be helpful with deciding on which bank account option will work for you: see here
3. Apply for a National Insurance Number
If you are looking to work or seek part-time employment during or after your studies in the UK, then a National Insurance number will be essential! Read all about what a NI number is, how it is used and how to get yours, here:
https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/your-national-insurance-number
Brightsparks, and other event staffing companies have been helping students find part-time jobs.
4. Reap the benefits of being a student!
As soon as you are registered with your university, start taking advantage of the various discounts and savings that being a student entitles you to. Signing up to NUS or UNIDAYS are great ways to receive deals and discounts across a series of interests from shopping, and dining to travel, electronics, events and limited offers. There’s a mobile phone app available too.
5. Consider buying a Rail Card
A National Rail card can be a great investment for those looking to visit friends and family by train throughout the country, saving you lots of money in the long run. If you’re between the ages of 16-25, regardless of whether or not your’re a student, you will be eligible for a National Rail Card that will save you 30% on all train journeys within the UK. In addition to saving on travel, your rail card can be used to claim special deals and offers only available to those with a rail card.
A rail card can also be used in conjunction with a normal oyster card (used for transport in London) to receive discounts on your journey within London. *Please note that if you already have a student oyster card you will NOT receive a further 30% off on top of the 30% savings the student oyster already gives you*
http://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/
6. Familiarise yourself with the transport system.
Regardless of where in the UK you study it is crucial to familiarise yourself with the local transport system. There’s no pressure to learn things overnight because trust me, we’ve all been lost a few times in the big city before.
Try to take mental note of where each tube line goes, but you will naturally get familiaries with your daily journeys as you take them more often.
Not the best navigator? No problem! Apps like Google Maps and Citymapper can help you find your way. Google Maps works everywhere around the world and will take you from point ‘A’ to ‘B’ once you tell it where you’re going. Citymapper is a great app that not only tells you how to get to your destination, but also shows multiple routes to get there, the time each option will take, cost of your journey, and more. Currently the app works for the UK cities of London, Manchester and Birmingham, but is a good tool to have for those bursting with wanderlust as the app works in a total of 30 cities worldwide!
Also taxi/cab apps such as uber and Addison Lee offer MUCH cheaper journeys than the standard taxi you’d stop on the streets.
LONDON BASED STUDENTS:
We definitely reccommend you register for a student oyster card if you’re living in London. Like a normal oyster card, this is to be used to pay for all your travel on London underground, overground and bus journeys HOWEVER you save 30% just for studying!
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/adult-discounts-and-concessions/18-student
Packing Essentials, things they don’t have ova ya’!
VICKS
NYQUIL
KRAFT MACARONI & CHEESE
SEASON-ALL
AUNT JEMIMA SYRUP
KOOL-AID/ TANG
LUCKY CHARMS
SPRAY CHEESE
Random? We know, but definitely useful. If you have other items you’d like to see added to this list then register with us and shoot us an email, we’d love to keep it updated.
Born and raised in Cayman, Phillippa has been with the Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK since May 2015, her invaluable service to the office includes promoting Caymanian cultural projects in the UK, leading Student Affairs, and coordinating office activities and special events. Phillippa comes from a background of Human Resources, and prior to joining CIGO Phillippa held a position as HR Manager at the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands. Deputy Representative Charles Parchment is the Cayman Islands Government Deputy Representative in the UK and Europe. Born and raised in the Cayman Islands, Charles has been with the Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK since May 2002, initially founding and heading up the Cayman Islands Investment Bureau and comes from a background of International Relations and Business Administration. As Deputy Representative, Charles is centrally responsible for supporting the Representative to accomplish his representative duties and other vital mandates.
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