London Fall of 2014 Handbook Summary :D

Major Costs to look at (Aside from Tuition)

Rent & Food
Flat Goal Expenditure: 120-135 pounds ($180-$205) per week per person $3600-$4100 for the
semester (if we cant get our money back for December )
Zones: 2 or 3 (Probably 3)
Food Goal Expenditure per week Needs to be discussed, but will probably be much lower than
campus since we would probably be cooking a good amount. Heres their estimates for the time being
$2000-$3200 semester (per person)
o $500-$800 a month
o $100-200 per week
o $15-$28 a day (probably more towards the higher end if we go out on Fridays, the
weekends if we travel, etc. Unless we want like caviar, swordfish, and prime rib every
night lol :P)
Things to consider if rent is on the higher end
Is the washer/dryer in the apartment or close by?
Wifi Availability
Travel distance (tube)

KEEP IN MIND
Need 2 MONTHS worth of rent upon signing usually
o Security Deposit ( 1 months rent usually)
o Plus 1 months rent in full to start
Medical Insurance $260 add-on for International insurance (folder has whole packet on it, mainly just
in case we need the swat team to awesomely get us out of a dangerous situation or a helicopter to
awesomely air lift us to a hospital XD)

Transportation
Semester Fare estimate 80 pounds per month for zones 1-2 or 84 pounds per month for zones 1-3
Apprximately $600 for the semester before discount
o If we get the student discount , its approx. 30 % of (around $420)

KEEP IN MIND
If we purchase a zone 1-2 card, we can use the buses outside these zones for free
Having a zone 1-3 card would probably be desired if we live outside zone 2 (about 4 pounds
more a month I think is worth it for just hopping on the tube to get to classes, internships, etc.
:x)

Credit Cards/Pre-Paid/Debits
Double checked about Discover, and they really arent as Global as they say (Bastards)
o Make sure you have a visa/mastercard credit card, debit card, pre-filled card
If youre looking for a credit card, I did the research and found the Bank of
America Travel Rewards card is one of the better ones. It has no foreign
conversion fees( usually 3%, which will add up), and has an embedded chip for
extra security that most Europeans already have and appreciate more,(CATCH
UP USA COME ON)
Would probably need a parent to cosign/cosponsor to get a usable
credit limit
o
o
o

Talk to your bank and credit card companies about traveling ANYWHERE, not just
London
Consider a prepaid debit card ,(Like Travelex) for keeping rent money aside, and/or you
dont want to get a credit card
If youre going to see your bank credit card, talk to your bank on how you should use
it,(i.e. charge as a credit, fees, limits, etc.)

Things we need to start scoping out

Convenient and cost efficient grocery stores

o The handbook said there are quite a few American Style supermarkets around the
same cost as our markets, WE NEED TO FIND THOSE
Bus Companies that go to Stansted/wherever else RyanAir and EasyJet take off from (for going
to other countries)
Become familiar with AirBNB and HostelWorld (to find places to stay when traveling)
Game Plan for Fall Break (BIG)
o Where we specifically want to go/see
o Set up flight/flight mapping for countries
o Set up trains for countries with more exploring,(i.e. Italy :3)
Ideas for Weekend Trips? (NOT SO BIG A DEAL)
o Plan some London train excursions
o Scotland?
o Ireland?
o Amsterdam? :x
Research how worth it this student international discount card is (ISIC card)
Double Check Immunizations needed for countries we want to go to
o Probably have all of them from College requirements, but better safe than sorry :p
Recommended Doctors near London Center/Flat (Dont want to run into a Nurse Ratchet)
Fill out the Housing Preference Form for the Spring
o For the guys figure out how to apply as a group
Looking at Flats online for UMark and Robs Dad to explore
o http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property/London.html
o http://www.zoopla.co.uk/to-rent/
o http://www.findaflat.com/