Packing

I've just started packing, and came to realise there are a few items which you may find useful to bring over/nice to have with you over in the UK if you haven't reached the 20 or 30 kg luggage limit already.

- batik/kurung/traditional dress for cultural occasions
- something for formal occasions (suit/dress) if you intend to attend conferences, etc
- misc malaysian souvenirs to give away/show friends (eg postcards)
- you can buy indomie and maggi for about 50p a packet (or less if you buy a whole box) in chinatown in London
- your favourite random spice mixes – eg. adabi chicken curry, rendang, sambal belacan, tom yam, etc. most are available in london’s Chinatown, but you’ll spend about 60p-1+ quid for a small packet. might as well chuck a few small packets into your luggage
- milo can also be bought there. expensive though. i'm bringing over a box of chinese tea leaves.
- kaya! – haven’t come across shops which sell kaya. Fresh kaya normally lasts about 1 month +. If you’re a big fan (like me), it’d help to bring along 1-2 packets.
- Moisturizer? (I didn’t find it too necessary)
- Lip gloss (absolutely necessary)

Computer paraphernalia:
- External hard disk (rm 200 for 80gb. abt 40-50 quid in the UK. useful for backing up your files)
- Usb thumb drive (rm36 for a 1 gb thumb drive. 6-10 quid in UK)
- Usb port extension (if you're like me and find that the 2/3 ports on your pc isn't enough)
- Microphone and earphones (if you intend to skype back home. if you don't have a pc, you can also skype from the computer labs, so these items will be useful anyhow)

All electronic items here are cheaper. Value Added Tax is at 17.5% in the UK. So if you were thinking of getting a digital camera and mp3 player, it’ll be cheaper here.

If you're thinking of getting warm clothing, my advise would be to bring over 1 or 2 sweaters/jackets at most and go shopping for something warmer when you arrive in the UK. It'll be about 12-20 degrees when you arrive, still not too cold. cameron highlands is at 15-24 degrees celsius, if you need a point of reference.

Feel free to add to the list, and all the best packing!

Pre-departure info

Prepared a very rough guide, "University of Essex for Dummies" (shamelessly ripped off Imperial College), which you can download HERE. Thought it best I post something here for those who can't make it to Mid Valley.

Information there may not be entirely accurate. I would encourage you to refer first to the official university documents (ie the freshers handbook, international students handbook, and undergraduate/postgraduate students handbook. the other two handbooks that will be of interest to you are the accomodations office handbook and the accomodations network handbook. All of them will give you a very comprehensive and detailed guide to settling into university).

Listed below are a few sites which will help you in preparing for the year ahead in the UK.

http://www2.essex.ac.uk/stdsup/intstuds/prearrival.shtm
a pre-arrival guide to all international students. Contains links to several informative documents – the international students handbook and the freshers handbook. Both will be posted to you shortly after confirmation of your acceptance into Essex.

http://www.essex.ac.uk/international/MYS

contains information specifically for applicants from Malaysia.

http://www.educationuk.org/pre-departure/
British Council’s pre-departure site

http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/pages/advice.htm
UK Council for International Student Affairs guide to international students

If still in doubt, google ;)

(l-r): yau zhang, farida, liyana, benjamin, markus. (missing: wan)

nice to finally meet some of you!

Questions from Amelia

Hi guys,

Here's an email from Amelia. Answers anyone?

-

To the Malaysian Society of the University of Essex,

Hi! It's nice to hear from someone i can identify with, and thanks for the warm welcome.

I'd like to take you up on your offer of bombarding you with questions about the university... so, here goes..

what dorm rooms are available? I'd like to get an insiders opinion on which rooms are better for university life or privacy...

when do I have to book accommodation by?

when do classes actually start?

will there be an orientation week prior to starting classes?

what about books and lecture materials?

i know in australia you have to sign up for tutorials and extra classes, is that standard procedure in the university of essec as well?

when are the holidays, and is it possible for a malaysian to travel around europe while being on holiday from university, do we need extra visas?

what is the community around the university like? is it possible to get a job in the surrounding areas?

thanks for your time!

Amelia