THE UNIVERSITY OF YORK
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
HANDBOOK 2016/17 1
WELCOME TO YORK! To all international students arriving at the University of York this autumn, Firstly, congratulations on getting in! The International Students’ Association hopes that your time in York will be fruitful and unforgettable. Although moving to a different country can be daunting, it is an experience you will never forget! As one of the largest networks in the University of York Students’ Union’s (YUSU), the ISA is here to help in every way possible. In a community where international students make up approximately 19% of its population, one of our main aims has always been to encourage cultural diversity in university life. With integration and representation as our core values, we aim to help integrating international students into life here at York. Our welfare team is constantly engaged in planning campaigns to raise awareness for issues that affect international students as well as promote other forms of integration in York. The ISA is also committed to making events, big and small, catered towards both home and international students. We run weekly coffee afternoons, where international students across the university come together to share food and play games. We also host the biggest event on campus, Global Week! Students from all over the world work together to share their food, drink, dance and culture with other students at the University. Our true passion lies in trying to enhance the life of students as much as possible and try to make York a home away from home. This is why we encourage every student at the University to join us and help us do the best we can by by giving us feedback, joining our team, or simply just letting us know what you want! So get ready for freshers! On behalf of the ISA family, Roberto Avelar, and Josephine Mackenbach Co-Presidents
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 4 5 6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14-15 16-17 18 19 20-21 22-23
WELCOME TO YORK ISA ACTIVITIES WHAT IS THE ISA YOUR STUDENT UNION SOCIETIES UPON ARRIVAL WHERE TO GO IN YORK WHERE TO GO ON CAMPUS VOLUNTEERING WORKING IN YORK NEED HELP? SECURITY NEED HELP? STUDENT SUPPORT NEED HELP? ACADEMIC SUPPORT
3
 ISA ACTIVITIES COFFEE AFTERNOONS The ISA organises free and open-to-all Coffee Afternoons every Wednesday afternoon, in YourSpace (James College). It is an opportunity for students to meet new people, socialise and chill out while playing games and enjoying free hot drinks and biscuits. We regularly invite other networks or societies in order to create links between different student representation organisations. It is also a chance to meet the committee and ask about any issues or concerns that you might have in a friendly and safe environment. Everyone is welcome, international, EU, and home students! WINTER BALL The ISA Winter Ball takes place every year, before the Christmas break. With a live performance, a three-course meal and various other forms of entertainment, it is a nice way to bring international students together at the end of the first term!
GLOBAL WEEK Global Week is the biggest of all ISA events. It traditionally takes place towards the end of the Spring Term and aims to promote and celebrate the cultural diversity of the international community at the University of York. Multiple events are organised by cultural societies throughout the week, and the celebrations culminate in three main events: a Cultural Performance, for which cultural societies perform dances, music, drama and more; a Food Fiesta, presenting a large variety of national dishes from all over the world; and a Beverage Festival, the best opportunity to discover all sorts of drinks from more than a dozen different countries. ..and more! The ISA also supports events organised by cultural societies all year round, such as an origami workshop runW by the Japanese society last year, and organises its own events for special occasions, for example during Refugee Week 2016 for which we painted a mural representing a family of refugees in front of York Minster.
4
ď‚´ WHAT IS THE ISA? The International Students' Association is a subcommittee of the York University Students' Union (YUSU). Our officers are elected annually by popular vote, and are responsible for many different facets of the organisation.
ďƒš
If you spot us, come say hi!
5
YOUR STUDENT UNION ISAAC BEEVOR Sports
ALEX LUSTY Activities
MILLIE BEACH President
DOM SMITHIES Community & Wellbeing
TAMAKI MIYAWAKI Academic Hello! My name is Millie and I am the Students’ Union President at the University of York. The Students’ Union is a group of elected students and staff who work together to make sure you have the best student experience during your time at York. Between us, we provide opportunities to get involved with societies, volunteering and fundraising. Additionally, we represent your views, either about your education or your wider university experience. We also organise wellbeing and community events and opportunities to make sure everyone here feels included and welcome. To top it all off, we run some really amazing events, have our own union shop (YUSU Shop) and some cafés and restaurants on campus. The best part? We’re a charity, which means any money you spend at YUSU venues will go right back into improving the student experience. We are really excited to meet you all and help make you #LoveYork as much as we do!
Millie
6

BLACK, ASIAN & MINORITY ETHNIC (BAME) OFFICERS SOPHIE FLINDERS & GABRIELLA OBENG NYARKO DISABLED STUDENTS' OFFICER ALEX WRAY ENVIRONMENT & ETHICS OFFICERS NORB GORDON & ELLA PARKER
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' OFFICER ROBERTO AVELAR LGBTQ OFFICER JAZ LIDDELL MATURE STUDENTS' OFFICERS KEVIN CLAXTON & LEAH ARMSTRONG RAISING & GIVING (RAG) OFFICER ROZ WALTON VOLUNTEERING OFFICERS ELLIE MEAGHER & HANNAH HIGGS
WOMENS' OFFICERS MIA CHAUDHURI-JULYAN & LUCY ROBINSON
7
SOCIETIES The University of York Student Union is home to over 180 student-led societies. Ranging from faith and cultural societies to games and activities to special interests and many more, there is something for everyone. Participating in societies is a great way to enhance and shape your student life. Societies provide the opportunity to meet new and like-minded people, explore interests and discover new ones. Members can also run for committee positions, providing an opportunity to gain the experience and skills of running a society and contributing to the wider student body, which also looks great on your CV!
8
How to join societies? A full list of societies along with a brief description of each society, their meeting times, membership fee and contact information can be found on the YUSU website (www.yusu.org/opportunities/ societies). Through this website, you can join online at any time throughout the year. Note that membership is on academic year basis; when you sign up for membership and pay the fee, the membership is valid for that academic year only. Another option is to join during Fresher’s Fair. Fresher’s Fair is normally held on the Saturday of Fresher’s week and here is where societies set up stalls to promote themselves and their activities and events they have planned for the year. It gives you the opportunity to ask questions and talk about societies or activities that interest you, sign up to newsletters and grab some freebies!
If you are still indecisive about joining a particular society, most societies offer taster sessions during the first few weeks of term. YUSU also runs Give It a Go sessions that works the same way but happen throughout the year. These sessions do not require membership and are either offered free or at a lower cost than normal to give you opportunities to try out and discover different things. How to keep up with societies’ events? Sign up to their online newsletters, join their facebook page or keep a look out for ISA and YUSU newsletters where we highlight ones that could be of interest to you! How to start your own society? If none of the 186 societies interest you, don’t worry because you can start your own! On the YUSU website, a comprehensive guideline is provided on how to start your own society and get ratified to receive funding and support.
Find more information on societies here! https://www.yusu.org/opportunities/societies 9
UPON ARRIVAL When you arrive in the UK… If you are arriving on the Friday or the Saturday of Arrivals Week, you should look out for the University Welcome Team at the Manchester Airport Rail Station, the York Rail Station, or at your College Reception. These are volunteers who will help you find your way and answer any of your queries. Coaches will be running between Manchester Airport and the University, as well as between York Rail Station and the University. However, seats are limited and you may be required to have booked a seat in advance. Look out for your College’s International STYCs too! They will also be helping you to move into your room, and inform you of any events your College is having for International Students. If you’re arriving on the same day as Home students, you will probably have to get to the University on your own. You can take a train to York Rail Station and look out
for signs directing you to the University. There are taxis that you can hire outside the station, and there are also bus services running to the University from the Rail Station. The 56 or the 66 should get you to the University. Just tell the bus driver nicely that you are heading to the University and you can pay for the fare in cash (it’s 1.50 for a single and 2 for a return). Once you arrive at the University, you should look out for your College STYCs. They will be helping you move into your room and will hopefully tell you about the events that your College will be running that evening. Once you’ve found your room… It is very important that you check your room for any defects! You will be given a checklist which you will have to sign and return to the University. This checklist tells you what you should have in your room. Besides making sure that everything on the checklist is there, check that nothing 10
is broken. For example, you may wish to crank the radiator up to make sure it works, make sure that your lights work, check that your washbasin has hot and cold water, check that your window opens and closes completely, lie on your mattress to make sure the springs don’t jab you, check door hinges and handles, etc. – essentially, if it turns, turn it, if it switches on, switch it on, if it’s not supposed to move, make sure it doesn’t, if it’s supposed to do a thing, make sure it does said thing. You may want to take this chance to check out the University! Market Square is the centre of the University and you will tend to visit it very often in the first week of arriving. Pop by the Information Centre to collect your University Card. It is your primary form of identification in the University and some departments will require your card to be scanned in order to access their facilities. There is also a NISA in Market Square in case you feel hungry and want food. Students from some nationalities may be required to go to the police station. You should approach the International Students Support Hub in Market Square for step-by-step guidance. Other things you might like to do... Once you feel like you are ready to unpack and settle in, you should make an effort to go through your welcome pack. Chances are, there are many helpful booklets to help you with setting up your Wi-Fi connection, about YUSU, and also about support services in the University. There are also freebies in there, most likely including a bus pass that lets you take a bus to and back from town once. You may like to take the opportunity to go into town or to the Sainsbury’s to get things that
you might need but probably didn’t bring with you because it wouldn’t make sense to bring with you. If you didn’t purchase a bedding pack from the University, you can go out and buy sheets, crockery, dinnerware, hangers, hygiene products, food, or anything that you think that you might need. You can get to town or Sainsbury’s by bus. You should ask your STYCs where your nearest bus stop is. From the bus stop, you can take the 56 or 66 into town and alight at the stop outside a Topshop to the left of the bus (i.e. at Piccadilly), or hit the bell when you pass by a Tesco Express on the left. You may also take the 56 to the Sainsbury’s, and take it to the end of the line – there is also a Morrisons just at the other end of the road that Sainsbury’s is on, and they essentially sell the same stuff. Pay the driver in cash, or you can use your free bus pass! You might also like to get to know your flatmates! Leave a note outside your door, encouraging anyone to knock and say hi, or go around the flat introducing yourself. You can always just plant yourself in the kitchen to stake out anyone who comes in or out of their rooms (if you’re keen).
11
Where to go in York for.. Sustenance! NISA The NISA at Market Square stocks the basic necessities for student living. It certainly won’t be the cheapest things you can find in York, but it is super convenient especially if you live on campus. There is a much smaller NISA located in the nucleus of Halifax College. Sainsbury’s The Sainsbury’s is a giant supermarket that sells anything from food to crockery and sheets. Simply take the 56 from the bus stop outside Market Square all the way to the end. You can use your Yorkey card, or pay in cash. Morrisons If you continue down Foss Islands Road from the Sainsbury’s, you will reach a Morrisons, which is basically just another supermarket like Sainsbury’s. It is about a 35 minute walk from the University if you learn the route.
Aldi If you walk out into the field(meadow?!) by Wentworth, you will reach an Army base with a civilian corridor. If you follow the civilian corridor, you will emerge in Fulford just Southwest of the University, and just across the road is an Aldi. Aldi is another supermarket, but this one only sells food, but at much cheaper prices than Morrisons and Sainsbury’s. It also stocks a lot of produce from other European countries! Regency and Chi Yip These are Asian supermarkets stocked full of Chinese, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Thai and even Vietnamese produce. They are both located in the city centre. You can get there on the 66 or the 44, and alight at the stop outside the City of York Council buildings (hit the bell once you pass Popworld). Freshways Halal, Arabic, Indian, Polish, Chinese, Turkish and Greek food, 27-29 Hull Road 12
Sightseeing? York Minster Pretty sure the only reason you know about York is because there’s a real Gothicinspired, still operational Minster in the heart of the city. The Minster is the most eye-catching attraction in the city and you can actually see it from anywhere within the city walls. The Minster tower offers a great view of the city since it’s literally the tallest structure there. Only catch isthey say if you climb the tower before you graduate from the University, you’ll fail your exams! Jorvik Viking Museum How did York get its name? What on earth is York’s history with Vikings? How can a museum smell like it did back when Vikings were in York? Well, if you’re interested in delving into the history of York, you can visit the Viking Museum on Coppergate (take the 66 or the 44 and get off at Piccadilly). National Railway Museum The Flying Scotsman is a world famous line of locomotives, but did you know that York was the midpoint between Edinburgh and London? The Mallard, the holder of the world speed record for steam locomotives calls this Museum home! Perhaps you’ve wondered why Timezones were based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Entrance to the Museum is free, so maybe you could enlighten yourself with some cool facts!
13
Where to go on Campus HESLINGTON WEST Market Square There are a lot of things in Market Square! You have the NISA, the YUSU shop, the Santander bank, and most importantly, the Student Support Hub! It is good to make a note of what is there, especially the Student Support Hub, because they will be able to help you with anything ranging from academic support to language courses, and even help you with your private housing issues (should you encounter any). Just make sure you book an appointment in advance~ Central Hall It really is hard to miss this building. It sits in the middle of the Hes West campus and overlooks the campus lake. You’ll not only have your welcome talk (including the infamous fire safety talk) here, but you’ll also have your graduation here! It is really hard to miss the UFO-esque structure that you begin and end your University of York journey with!
14
York Sport Centre This building sits just past James College, next to the brand new track right by Psychology. If you do sport in York, chances are you will frequent this building. Students get a discounted gym membership here, along with access to the Centre’s facilities. 22 Acres If indoor sport isn’t your thing, but you still love sport, then you will probably be very used to the wonderful muddy fields that is 22 Acres, just past the York Sports Centre, and right by Halifax College. It is, apparently, literally 22 Acres, but the University only has access to a few fields. Campus Bars There is the Lounge in James, Courtyard and D-bar in Derwent, and V-bar in Vanbrugh. Wentworth also has The Edge, and Alcuin has The Kitchen, but they both close at 3pm. These bars all serve pretty good food in the day, but different bars have different atmospheres at night, so you should make it a point to check out each one for yourself! (Just don’t get into any College sport rivalries…)
HESLINGTON EAST The Glasshouse The only campus bar on the Heslington East campus, it tends to be very packed no matter what the occasion. It is located in the Langwith College nucleus, but, like all campus bars, you don’t need to be a member of the College to use its facilities. York Sport Village This is a much more modern York Sport facility (compared to the York Sport Centre on Hes West), consisting of a larger gym, heated pool and 3G pitches. Gym membership here is a little more pricey, but it does give you access to a much larger and a more modern facility, and is inclusive of classes. Just get onto the UoY66 or the 56 and take it all the way to the end.
15
✌ VOLUNTEERING CHARITY
VOLUNTEERING
There are numerous opportunities to make the most of your time at York. Volunteering is a great way to make friends, boost your employability and enhance your job prospects while still having lots of fun. There are two ways in which you can get involved:
Volunteering is spending time, unpaid, doing something that aims to benefit the environment or society in general. Unlike RAG, which aims to raise money through their activities, volunteering aims to give time to help others and benefit the community around you. We have a few different ways in which you can get involved in volunteering:
RAG RAG stands for ‘Raising and Giving’. Run by an elected part-time student officer and an appointed committee, they organise lots of exciting events and activities that you can volunteer at, or turn up to so as to help raise funds for YUSU’s ‘adopted’ charities for the year. Our charities include 1 local charity, 1 national charity and a few other charities through which we run challenges throughout the year. If you would like to get involved in one-off events as a ‘RAGlet’, who is a volunteering for RAG events, please get in touch with the RAG Officer, Roz. The RAG Committee will be at Freshers’ Fair where you can talk to them about what they do, and find out if there’s anything you’re interested in signing up to.
Student-led Projects We have 16 long-term, sustainable, entirely student-led projects and run with support from the Activities Officer, Community and Wellbeing Officer and Student Opportunities Coordinator (Volunteering & RAG). They cover a broad area of interest and do some incredible work within the local and student community. One-off Opportunities There will be activity throughout the year that are short in their time constraints so they are easy to fit around your studies and any part time work that you do. Most of these opportunities are publicised through our ‘Give it a Go’ programmethere is something for everyone! Some 16
activities are organised by the Volunteering Committee headed by the Volunteering Officers who are also elected student officers. You can get in touch with Ellie and Hannah, this year’s Volunteering Officers, to find out more. College Volunteering Each college has elected RAG and Volunteering representatives who coordinate volunteering- both long-term projects and one-off opportunities. This is different for each college and changes year on year so do get in touch with your college committees to find out more!
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED? If you’re interested in volunteering or fundraising, have a look at our website to find an opportunity you are interested in. Projects: Each project has its own contact email address, so please do get in touch directly. RAG: If you’re interested in becoming a RAGlet or finding out more about RAG, contact rag@yusu.org Volunteering: For central volunteering activity, please contact volunteering@yusu.org College Volunteering: Get in touch with your college RAG and volunteering reps.
You can also get in touch with the Activities Officer, Alex Lusty, activitiesofficer@yusu. org or pop in to the Sabbatical Office situated in the Student Centre, James College to have a chat about what is available for you to get involved in or even just say hello! If you would like to set up a new project or have any other queries, please contact the Student Opportunities Coordinator (Volunteering &RAG), a.priya@yusu.org. Please note: Some opportunities might require you to get a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) Check. This is a criminal records check that needs to be completed before working with vulnerable people (children and older people). If you have been in the UK for less than a year, you will need to provide some documents including a letter from your previous educational institution stating that you are of good character, or the equivalent of a DBS check from your home country. Please contact Anu Priya if you require further information about this.
17
WORKING IN YORK OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT You will likely have to open an international student account at York. Different banks will offer slightly different terms and conditions, however the documents you are likely to need to open an account are proof of identity (passport) and evidence of your York address. OBTAINING A NATIONAL INSURANCE (NI) NUMBER In the UK, National Insurance is compulsory if you are planning on having a job. It is a deduction from your pay that funds the state- provided pensions, health and other government benefits. As an employee, you will need to have a National Insurance (NI) number so that the UK tax authority can record your income tax payments and National Insurance Contributions. You should apply for an NI number as soon as you arrive in the UK if you plan on having a part time job. You will need to call Job Centre Plus, the government agency responsible for NI, to arrange an appointment on 0845 6000 643. You may be required to complete an application form or to provide information over the phone before the interview is scheduled.
The major UK Banks all have branches in York City Centre: Barclays Bank, 1, 2 & 3 Parliament Street, York. 0845 7 555 555 HSBC, 13 Parliament Street, York. 0845 7 404 404 Lloyds, 2 Pavement Street, York. 0845 3 000 000 NatWest, 1 Market Street, York. 0845 7 888 444 Halifax, 47 Parliament Street, York. 01904 881270 Santander, 7 High Ousegate, York. 0800 7 076 692 (Santander also has a branch on campus, in Market Square)
18
 NEED HELP? SECURITY The requirement to register with the police will be stamped in your passport and you must register within seven days of arriving in the UK..
REGISTERING WITH THE POLICE If you are from one of the following countries you will need to register with the police: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, To register, you will need: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, your passport Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, one passport-sized photograph Egypt, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, proof of residence Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, ÂŁ34 for the registration fee. Libya, Moldova, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab The forms can be downloaded from the Emirates, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen. North Yorkshire Police website. York Police Station is on Fulford Road, not far from the University. It is open 8am until midnight. Ring ahead on 0845 6060247 to check when the best times to go are. 19
NEED HELP? STUDENT SUPPORT The university has different types of support systems available depending on the type of help you need. You can access any of them for free. These include:
students, organize activities, and promote the services offered by the colleges and the university. They organize Freshers Week and put on activities throughout the year.
COLLEGE TEAM Even if you don’t live on campus, your college has full-time staff that can help you throughout the year. They can help you settle in and give you information about college life, your accommodation, and college activities. They are your first point of contact for assistance and, if you live on campus, they can help you with any accommodation problems.
For more information on colleges: https://www.york.ac.uk/about/ departments/support-and-admin/ accommodation/campusaccommodation/ ourcolleges/
All colleges have a Head of College and an Assistant Head of College, as well as a College Administrator. You can contact them for help or advice. If you feel more comfortable talking to people closer to your age, each college has a team of college tutors who you can talk to confidentially and who will signpost you to appropriate support services. You can also contact your Junior Common Room Committee (JCRC) or your College Student Association (CSA), a group of students elected to welcome
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES The university offers support for a wide range of issues such as money matters, emotional and mental health support, disability support, visa and immigration advice and international student support: The first point of contact is the Student Support Hub situated in Market Square. During term time they’re open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. You can book an appointment with them at student-support@york.ac.uk. For more information on the services they offer: https://www.york.ac.uk/students/support/ student-support-hub/ 20
If you need financial advice you can register in http://www.blackbullion.com/ with your university email account and receive help managing your finances. If you need emotional and mental health support you can book an appointment with the Open Door Team by sending them an email at opendoor@york.ac.uk or by calling them at 01904 324140. They offer confidential specialist advice as well as group workshops. You can also receive online counselling signing up with your university email account in https://www.qwellcounselling. com/. This service has been approved by the Open Door Team and offers 1:1 online counselling sessions as well as forums for peer support. For specific information on international student matters you can email the Student Support Services at internationalsupport@york.ac.uk For disability support you can contact the Disability Services located at the Sally Baldwin Building Block B. You can callthem at 01904 324785 or email them at disabilityservices@york.ac.uk. During term time, their open hours are from Monday to
Friday between 9am and 4.15pm. If you need someone to talk to you can contact York Nightline, a confidential listening service run by students, which also offers sexual health advice and supplies and information on other topics (such as useful contact numbers). You can call them at 01904 323735 between 8pm and 8am any day during term time as well as visiting their office or messaging them. For more information: http://www. yorknightline.org.uk/ YUSU & GSA Our student union (YUSU) and Graduate Student Association (GSA) offer independent support and confidential advice. They can help you apply for mitigating circumstances and you can contact them if you are having difficulties with your course or the University. Their officers are there to listen to your proposals, complaints, or appeals (e.g. issues with alleged plagiarism or cheating) and help you through your university life. For more information go to YUSU’s Reception Desk, next to Roger Kirk Centre in James College, or visit their webpage at: https://www. yusu.org/
21
NEED HELP?
ACADEMIC SUPERVISOR
DISABILITY SERVICES
You can contact your supervisor anytime for guidance and support throughout your course, not only for academic matters but also for personal matters. They will give you feedback on your academic progress, help you with any difficulties with your study and any issues that may impact your ability to study or complete your work, as well as advise you if you are unsure about your course. Don’t hesitate to visit them in their Office Hours (you can check when they take place at the University’s web page) or send them an email to arrange an appointment.
If you have any disability that requires support, you can contact the Disability Services as mentioned above. The University will cover the costs of academic adjustments for international students who are not entitled to Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) to the equivalent level they would had received with DSA (international students are not eligible for this allowance). You will need to show evidence and have a meeting with their assessors. For more information on the process visit: https://www.york.ac.uk/students/support/ disability/help/international/
22
ACADEMIC SUPPORT STUDY SKILLS If you wish to improve your academic skills you can access: Maths Hub and The Writing Centre Both services are free and offer bookable individual appointments and dropin sessions. They can help you tackle numerical problems, structure your essays and point you to the different resources available at the University. For more information on their schedules and how to book a session you can visit their web pages at https://www.york. ac.uk/students/studying/develop-yourskills/study-skills/maths-skills-centre/ for the Maths Hub and https://www.york. ac.uk/students/studying/develop-yourskills/study-skills/writing/ for The Writing Centre.
LANGUAGES If English is not your first language and you need support, no matter if you are an undergraduate or a postgraduate student, you are eligible for a Universityfunded English Language Tuition (more information in the Centre of English Language Teaching or CELT at: http://www. york.ac.uk/celt/ ). They offer both Summer and Term-time courses. If you wish to study a foreign language, all students are entitled to one free course in an Languages for All (LFA) course. For more details and the list of languages available visit http://www.york.ac.uk/lfa/ courses/free/. For more information on the Skills Hub and their activities visit https://www.york. ac.uk/students/studying/develop-yourskills/study-skills/
23
Follow us! fb.com/yusuisa @yusu_isa
24