Welcome To Cardiff
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Contents 3 Welcome! / What is a Students’ Union? 4 How to contact Your Students’ Union 5 Useful Telephone Numbers 6 Welcome to Wales! 8 Meet Your Elected Officers 10 Campaign Officers 2015-16 11 Help and Advice 12 Give it a Go 13 Travel Around Europe 15 Societies 16 Sports clubs 17 English Language Support 18 Events Throughout The year 19 Faith and Religion 20 Jobs and Skills 23 Campus Map
Welcome! My name is Claire and I am the Students’ Union President. We are proud to welcome students from all around the world to Cardiff. In this booklet, you can find information about the Students’ Union, and how it can help you while you are here. Our building is located across the road from the main building of the University, and we also have a smaller location on the Heath Campus. The Students’ Union provides lots of activities and support for International students. Come and see what you can discover. Feel free to get involved, make new friends and discover new things. I hope you have the best time at Cardiff!
Claire
What is a Students’ Union? Cardiff University Students’ Union is an independent part of Cardiff University which is led by students. As soon as you enrol at Cardiff University, you automatically become one of our members.
We have over 200 student societies and 60 sports clubs with over 10,000 members. Our building also has bars, cafes, and shops which fund everything we do for students.
We represent students and provide activities to make your student life better. We can give you advice on housing or your University course, training and skills development, volunteering opportunities, jobs and other activities to help you make new friends.
Every year, we’re voted one of the best student organisations in the United Kingdom. This is even more reason for you to come and see what we do!
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02920 781400
Cardiffstudents.com
What’s On Email
Give us a call if you would like to ask us about anything we do.
On our website you can see what events are coming up and look for help and advice.
A weekly newsletter of all the latest activities, stories & deals direct to your University e-mail inbox.
How to contact the Students’ Union We want you to get settled into student life in Cardiff when you arrive. A great way to do that is to get involved in the fun and interesting things that are going on. Here is how you can find out what we are up to.
Social Media If you would like up to the minute information about what we are up to, or to chat to us about anything then feel free to follow us on Social Media.
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Twitter / @CardiffStudents
Instagram / CardiffStudents
Facebook / CardiffStudents
YouTube / CardiffStudents
Snapchat / CardiffStudents
Periscope / CardiffStudents
International Students 2015
Useful telephone numbers We recommend saving these numbers to your mobile phone contact list: Student Advice 029 2078 1410 Student Support Centre 029 2087 4844 (advice and counselling) Nightline 029 2078 0555 Samaritans Main UK line 084 5790 9090 Cardiff branch line 029 2034 4022 Academic Registry (Student records) 029 2087 6211 University Security 029 2087 4444 University INSRV (IT help) 029 2087 4487
Meningitis Trust Helpline 080 8801 0388 NHS Sexual Health (I.S.H clinic) 029 2033 5207 Student Finance Wales 084 5602 8845 Student Finance England 084 5300 5090 Traveline Cymru 087 1200 2233 National Rail Enquiries 084 5748 4950 South Wales Police (Cardiff) 029 2022 2111
Cardiff University Students’ Union: Main Reception 029 2087 1400 Box Office 029 2078 1458 Skills Development Service 029 2078 1489 Cardiff Volunteering 029 2078 1494 Student Enterprise 029 2087 1442 Cardiff Student Letting 029 2078 1525 Students’ Union Jobshop 029 2078 1535
Non-emergency crimes 101
The Graduate Centre 029 2087 4748
Emergency Services 999 (emergency ONLY)
University Health Centre 029 2087 4810
Cardiff Council 029 2087 2087
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Welcome to Wales! We love our Welsh Culture Cardiff is in Wales, a small, beautiful country in the UK with its own language, culture and traditions. There are all kinds of amazing places to discover here - we have amazing beaches and mountains, enchanting castles and lots of fun traditions. We hope you will enjoy discovering our country during your time here.
The Welsh Language (Yr Iaith Gymraeg) An important part of Welsh culture is the Welsh Language. In Wales, many people are proud to speak Welsh. You may see both English and Welsh written on signs and other documents while you are at Cardiff University. The Welsh Language is an important aspect of Welsh culture to both Welsh speakers and non-Welsh speakers alike, and the Welsh Government encourages all institutions to support Welsh speakers by publishing in both English and Welsh. Many people who live in Wales are encouraged to learn Welsh, so at the Students’ Union we do many things to support the Welsh Language and culture.
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Some key phrases: Shwmae! = Hi! Cymru am byth = Wales forever Mae hi’n bwrw glaw = It’s raining Rwy’n caru Caerdydd = I love Cardiff
Croeso i Gymru! 5 Welsh things to do in Cardiff 1 Try to see a Welsh international match at the Millennium Stadium. The Welsh love rugby, so the atmosphere in the stadium is amazing! You’ll soon find yourself chanting “Cymru am Byth!” along with the Welsh fans.
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Visit St Fagans National History Museum. A free open-air museum where you can walk around Wales through the ages – with buildings from Celtic times to the present day. Sample traditional Welsh cuisine.
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Castles, castles everywhere! You have plenty to choose from just in and around Cardiff with Cardiff Castle, Castell Coch and Caerphilly Castle.
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Cardiff Millennium Centre. Watch a musical or performance in this iconic building in Cardiff Bay.
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Farmers Market. Buy fresh local food at the weekly market from 10am – 2pm every Sunday opposite the Millennium Stadium on the Fitzhamon Embankment.
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Elected Officers are a team of Students who are chosen by other students to lead the Students’ Union. They represent the views of students and lead student activity in all areas of student life such as Education for Undergraduates, Postgraduates and Healthcare students, Sport, Societies, and Welfare. The Elected Officers are led by the Students’ Union President.
Meet your Elected Officers on the 3rd floor of the Students’ Union building or on cardiffstudents.com
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Your Campaign Officers are a group of students who are elected each year to campaign on a variety of issues and to represent your interests at a Union and University level. The Campaign Officers undertake these roles alongside their academic studies. Black & Ethnic Minority Officer: Raviina Vijayanandam BEMOfficer@Cardiff.ac.uk @BMEOfficerCSU bmeofficersu Ethical & Environmental Officer: Daniel Tucker EandEOfficer@Cardiff.ac.uk @EandEofficerCSU eandeofficercsu LGBT+ Officer: Jack Meldrum LGBT+ Women: Ellie Utley lgbtOfficer@Cardiff.ac.uk @LGBTplusCSU LGBTofficerCSU Students with Disabilities’ Officer: Diana Isajeva DisabilitiesOfficer@Cardiff.ac.uk @SWDofficerCSU SWDofficerCSU Welsh Language Officer: Steffan Jones WelshOfficer@Cardiff.ac.uk @SwyddogCymraeg
Swyddogcymraeg
Women’s Officer: Rachael Melhuish WomensOfficer@Cardiff.ac.uk @WomensCSU womensofficercsu
Associations Our Campaign Officers work closely with our Student Associations. The Associations are free of charge and any Cardiff University student can become a member. Each association represents a specific group and campaigns on issues that may affect them. You can find out more about our Assocations at cardiffstudents.com/associations.
Grace International Students’ Officer InternationalOfficer@Cardiff.ac.uk intofficerCSU
@IntOfficerCSU
Help and Advice Student Advice is a free, confidential, impartial and independent service run by the Students’ Union, providing advice and information, advocacy and representation to all students at Cardiff University. The service is delivered by drop-ins, appointments, email and phone. The service also undertakes other activities and events to develop awareness of rights and responsibilities, as well as promoting and supporting the health and wellbeing of students. For international students, Student Advice provides general advice and information on a range of issues such as academic, consumer, employment, health services, housing, money matters, student finance, welfare matters and much more.
Student Advice drop in sessions (term time) are open weekdays between 10:00 – 15:00, except Thursdays which run between 13:00 – 15:00. Outside of term time contact Student Advice between 10:00 – 16:00 to make appointments. Heath Campus: Advice sessions and appointments at the Heath are available on Mondays. Please check cardiffstudents.com/advice for the most up to date times or call 029 2078 1410.
Get in touch: 029 2078 1410 advice@Cardiff.ac.uk cardiffstudents.com/advice
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Cardiff Students'Union
Proudly Presents Give it a Go is a fun calendar of amazing opportunities and activities for you to try while you are a student at Cardiff. It gives you try-before-you-buy opportunities for our 250 societies and sports clubs, learn a new language, develop skills, volunteer, go on day and weekend trips and so much more. Our aim is to get you to try things you’ve never tried before, meet new people and have an absolutely amazing time while you are in Cardiff. We would love you to join in! Look at what’s going on with Give it a Go at cardiffstudents.com/GiveitaGo.
Freshers’ Events! Event Dates (September) Time City Centre Tours 21st - 25th 11:00, 14:00 & 16:00 Red Bus City Tours 21st, 23rd & 25th 12:00 & 15:00 Cardiff Bay & Barry Island Trips 21st, 23rd & 25th 13:00 Cardiff/Coch Castle Trips 21st & 22nd 11:00 Rhossili Beach Trip 26th 11:00 Ikea Shuttle 25th 11:00, 14:00 & 17:00 St. Fagan’s & National Museum Trip 23th & 24th 11:00 & 14:00 Save money with a Give it a Go Freshers’ Wristband at cardiffstudents.com/freshers
Cost FREE £3 £3 £8 / £4 £9 £3 £3 / FREE
Travel around Europe! Did you know the Students’ Union organises monthly city breaks to loads of different destinations around Europe? While you’re in Cardiff, make the time to explore other parts of the UK and Europe with us! Most of our 3 day trips run for less than £150 so everyone can afford to go on an adventure. This year we’re heading to London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and many more!
Now is the perfect time to explore the most breath-taking cities in the world. Make new friends and come join us! For more information about our monthly national and international trips and for help with visa applications, head to cardiffstudents.com/GiveitaGo.
visit me!
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Cardiff’s Ultimate Entertainment Centre Student’s offer at all times £6.95 per person for 2 games
of Bowling or Laser Quest or 1 game of each.
Student Offer Every Tuesday 10am - Close 2 games
of Bowling or Laser Quest or 1 game of each,
2 drinks (from selected range) and a slice of Pizza
Tuesday only
£9.99 per person
Call 02922 331333
Email: cardiff@superbowluk.co.uk www.superbowluk.co.uk
Valid NUS or Valid College Card must be provided Management reserve the right to reject or remove these offers at any time. Please check our website for terms and conditions.
Like us on
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Societies Societies are groups of students who share common interests, beliefs or values. We have over 200, from Debating to Jazz; Chess to Islamic Society they are a great chance to experience something new, develop skills and make friends along the way from all around the world! Throughout the year we do events such as Go Global, where some of our international and cultural societies perform in the Great Hall.
International Students 2015
If you have an interest, belief or hobby, there will almost certainly be a society built around it! Signing up to societies can be done at Societies fairs in Freshers’ Week or online at any point in the year at cardiffstudents.com/societies. If you have queries about joining a society, setting one up or just want to know more, you can contact Hannah – Vice President Societies. Find her at: VPSocieties@Cardiff.ac.uk or on 029 2078 1427. Browse the full list of societies online now at cardiffstudents.com and make sure you attend the fairs!
hannah VP Societies VPSocietiesCSU
@SocietiesCSU
VPSocieties@Cardiff.ac.uk 029 2078 1427
sports clubs There are over 60 different sports clubs at Cardiff University Students’ Union. We’re positive there’ll be a club for you. The Athletic Union (AU) offers classic sports like badminton, hockey and basketball, or if you want try something new then we have lots of sports which are growing in popularity such as korfball, caving and American Football.
If you have any questions, come to the 3rd floor of the Union to chat to Sam Parsons, your Vice President of Sport and Athletic Union President. Or find him at: VPSports@Cardiff.ac.uk or on 029 2078 1438. We would also recommend coming along to the Sports Fair in September. You can also join sports clubs during the year online at: cardiffstudents.com/au.
sam VP Sports and Athletic Union President AUPresidentCSU
@AUPresidentCSU
VPSports@Cardiff.ac.uk 029 2078 1438
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English Language Support Studying an undergraduate or postgraduate course at university can be very challenging. If English is not your first language, you may need some help to meet the challenges presented by lectures, seminars and assignments. Cardiff University provides ongoing English language and study skills support, especially for current international students during their academic studies. When you arrive, speak to your academic school about what support they have for you as an international student. Ask the International Office about help that they can provide, and if there are any courses you can attend. At the Students’ Union, you can speak to Student Advice about the challenges you may be facing. They are located on the 3rd floor of the Students’ Union and can help you find ways to improve your English.
Student Advice: 029 2078 1410 advice@Cardiff.ac.uk cardiffstudents.com/advice
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events throughout the year Throughout the year, Cardiff University Students’ Union hosts a variety of events that we would encourage you to get involved in. From international cultural events, to our famous sports tournament, these events are a great chance to join fellow students in celebrating being a member of Cardiff University.
Go Global Festivals are a common thing in the world of students, but no festival is as exciting and ground breaking as Go Global, Cardiff University’s Festival of Culture and Diversity. From India to Pakistan, China to Greece, our societies will take you on an incredible, unforgettable journey around the world at this wonderful event. Go Global takes place in March every year.
Cardiff Fringe Festival Cardiff Fringe Festival is a week-long celebration of all society activity. It’s full of incredible events run by our studentled societies, showcasing their amazing talents. From a variety show, an original musical, an opera, and music showcases; to stand-up comedy, a photography workshop, a bouncy castle and much more! There’s something for everyone. Cardiff Fringe Festival takes place in March every year.
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Welsh Varsity Tournament Welsh Varsity started out 19 years ago as a rugby match between Cardiff University students and Swansea University students. Today it’s so much more than that. Welsh Varsity has become a whole day of events, with teams competing against each other in over 30 sports to represent their university. The day culminates with the legendary men’s rugby match, played in front of thousands of students from both universities.
Cardiff Student Elections We hold elections every year to elect the team of students who will lead the Union during the next academic year. Their role is to represent the interests and rights of all students to the Union, University and local community. All Cardiff University students have the right to stand for election and all students get to vote on who they think is the right person for the job. Find out more at cardiffstudents.com/elections.
Faith and religion Cardiff has a strong history of diversity in faith and culture, and welcomes students from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Find others who share your faith There are various religious societies in the Students’ Union representing different faiths which you can think about joining, including the Islamic, Jewish and Christian Societies. Details of these can be found at: cardiffstudents.com/ societies. Places of worship for all major religions and faiths can be found around the city. The Chaplaincy has information about all the churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship around Cardiff. For more information, please email Chaplaincy@Cardiff.ac.uk.
Quiet Rooms A number of quiet rooms on both the Cathays and Heath Park campuses have been set up for individual prayer & reflection, meditation, contemplation or just quiet time. There is also a quiet room available every day during term-time on 3rd floor of the Students’ Union in The Lounge.
Chaplaincy Our Chaplaincy is made up of Anglican, Catholic, Methodist and Muslim Chaplains. They work alongside other denominations and faith communities in Cardiff, welcoming students from all parts of the world regardless of their nationality or religion and are committed to encouraging discussion between students of different faiths and backgrounds. The Chaplaincy is a place of friendship, hospitality, prayer and support. It offers opportunities for students to relax and explore faith and spirituality. It provides advice, support and care, supports student groups and organises a regular programme of worship, lectures and social events. Through events, the Chaplaincy creates a community feeling helping students settle in and meet new people.
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Jobs and Skills Jobshop A priority for a lot of students is finding a part-time job when they arrive at University. The Jobshop is a free student employment service run by the Students’ Union. We aim to find casual employment for registered Cardiff University students. Opportunities are available within the University, the Students’ Union and with local employers. If you are an international student and are studying in the UK with a Tier 4 visa, you are entitled to work. Your entitlement to work will depend on your level of study and whether you are in term time or vacation. To find out more about the Jobshop and how to register, visit cardiffstudents.com/Jobshop. It’s a great way to earn some extra cash and to gain valuable work experience! CardiffJobshop @CardiffJobshop Jobshop@Cardiff.ac.uk 029 2078 1535
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Skills Development Service A degree is not enough – help your CV stand out from the rest. The Skills Development Service (SDS) provides a range of courses aimed at building your confidence, improving your transferable skills and increasing your employability potential. Certificates are awarded for successful completion of courses and are highly regarded by employers. The courses offered by the Skills Development Service are broken down into three main areas: • Certificate of Professional Development • Additional sessions to help your confidence and employability • Externally-Accredited Courses Detailed information about all of these courses can be found at: cardiffstudents.com. CardiffSDS @SDScardiff SDS@Cardiff.ac.uk 029 2078 1489
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Diet and oral hygiene advice Membership card with 24 hour helpline numbers for dental emergencies at home or abroad Worldwide Supplementary Dental Injury and Emergency Insurance
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N. Taaffe B.D.S (Wales) Tel: (029) 2045 3346 Email: surgery@nicolataaffe.co.uk 2, West Grove, Cardiff, CF24 3AN www.nicolataaffe.co.uk
Jobs and Skills Cardiff Volunteering Volunteering is a great way to make a difference in your new local community. You’ll also get to meet loads of new people and have a lot of fun! Cardiff Volunteering offers a wide variety of different and exciting projects to choose from which you can fit around your University schedule. Lots of students volunteer on projects in and around the city of Cardiff, giving up their time to help improve the social, economic and environmental lives of others in the local community and gaining new skills, experiences and friends along the way – so it really is a no-brainer! To find out more about Cardiff Volunteering and how you can get involved, visit cardiffstudents.com/ volunteering or drop into their office in the Centre for Skills, Enterprise and Volunteering at the Students’ Union when you arrive in Cardiff. The office is open 09:00–17:00 Monday-Thursday and 09:00–16:00 on Fridays. cardiffstudents.com/volunteering
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Cardiff University Enterprise Whether you have an idea for a business or social enterprise, or want to gain new skills to help you become a more enterprising employee, Cardiff University Enterprise is here to support you. Cardiff University Enterprise are a student focused team that is here to help students to achieve their full potential: whatever their subject area. They offer events, workshops, competitions and advice, and it’s all absolutely FREE! Cardiff University Enterprise activities will pop up anywhere within the University, but our base is in the Students’ Union. Visit the Cardiff University Enterprise office on the second floor. StudentEnterprise @CardiffUniE Enterprise@Cardiff.ac.uk 029 2078 1442
Campus Map
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University Hall Liberty House Talybont Gate Cartwright Court Talybont North
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Talybont South Roy Jenkins Hall Talybont Court Aberconway Hall Colum Hall
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Cardiff University Students’ Union Park Place, Cardiff. CF10 3QN
029 2078 1400
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