Are you coming to study in Bristol in Autumn 2009? Yes? -then read on…
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Leaving home to go and study at university can be a little daunting, even more so when the university is in a completely different country! Different language? Different currency? Different culture? Not sure what to expect? Where to go? What to do?…. that’s why we are here to help.

During the month of September we run a ‘Welcome Programme’ to meet and greet overseas students arriving in Bristol from all over the world. In conjunction with the University of Bristol (UoB) and the University of the West of England (known as ‘UWE’), we will have a team of volunteers to help you when you first arrive in Bristol. Based at ‘Welcome Desks’, either at UWE main reception or at the Bristol bus station, and Temple Meads train station, our aim is to make you feel welcome and assist you in getting you to where you need to go. This may be straight to your new accommodation, to the accommodation office, or maybe a guesthouse or youth hostel. We are here to help by providing transport to your location and helping you settle in, especially during your first few days in Bristol. Our service is free of charge.

The following information should help you know what to expect and the sort of help available.

Arriving at Heathrow Airport
If you are arriving at Heathrow airport, there will be a Meet & Greet welcome scheme in operation run by an organisation called Friends International. Why not let the team know when you are due to arrive so they can arrange to meet you and help you get to Bristol? For more details log onto http://www.new2uk.org/new2uk/index.php, (select 'What's On' and then onto 'Meet & Greet at Heathrow airport') and contact them directly.

Arriving at Bristol Airport
There is an express coach service called ‘The Bristol International Flyer’ that operates between Bristol International Airport and Bristol’s bus and train stations (Temple Meads). The Flyer departs from the airport every 15 minutes from 06h45 to 20h00, every 30 minutes from 20h00 to 23h00 and thereafter irregularly. The journey time is approximately 30 minutes. Every bus/coach stops at Bristol bus station (Marlborough Street station) and Temple Meads train station. Only every second bus/coach stops at Clifton Triangle (near to the University of Bristol). A single ticket costs from £6.00 and a return costs £9.00. There is no need to pre-book, simply pay on board. For more information or to view the timetable, simply go to: http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/getting_to_bia/by_airport_express_link.aspx

Welcome Desk at UWE
If you are a student for the University of the West of England (UWE) BISC will have a Welcome desk to greet you in the Main Reception (http://www.uwe.ac.uk/hsv/reception/) at UWE from Monday 7th September until Friday 11th September between the hours of 9.30am – 4.30pm.

If you have university accommodation, once you have collected your keys and signed your relevant papers, we will gladly transport you and your luggage to your new home. If you do not have university accommodation, we can help you to find accommodation, by contacting local landlords on your behalf, and then arranging for a BISC driver to take you to view the property. Please note BISC cannot assist with this prior to your arrival.

Remember, if you are a UWE student and arrive in Bristol between 7th –11th September you will need to take a taxi (Checker Cars with a fixed rate of £30), from Bristol Airport to the UWE Frenchay Campus. Take any taxi service (rate £12-£16) waiting outside Bristol bus station (Marlborough Street station) and Temple Meads train station to UWE Frenchay Campus. When you arrive at UWE, head for Main Reception and look out for our Welcome Desk.

Arriving at Marlborough Street Bus Station?
During the dates listed below we will have a welcome desk at the Bristol bus station to welcome you to Bristol. During these days, between 9.30am - 5.00pm there will be BISC volunteers to welcome you, and help you on the next step of your journey. Look out for the BISC team wearing white t-shirts with a BISC name badge and a brightly coloured sash! We will operate a welcome desk on the following days:

Thursday: 17 September
Friday: 18 September
Saturday: 19 September

Monday: 21 September
Tuesday: 22 September
Wednesday: 23 September
Thursday: 24 September

Our desk will be located near to the ticket office. If you are travelling from Bristol Airport on the ‘Flyer’ bus service and will be arriving between 9.30am-5pm on any of the dates listed above, we recommend you get off the bus at Temple Meads Train station, as this will assist us with arranging onward transportation for you due to parking restrictions imposed at the bus station.

Arriving at Temple Meads Train Station?
During the dates listed below we will have a welcome desk at Temple Meads Train station to welcome you to Bristol. (We regret that there will be no welcome desk at Bristol Parkway Train station). During these days, between 9.30am - 5.00pm there will be BISC volunteers to welcome you, and help you on the next step of your journey. Look out for the BISC team wearing white t-shirts with a BISC name badge and a brightly coloured sash! We will operate a welcome desk on the following days:

Thursday: 17 September
Friday: 18 September
Saturday: 19 September

Monday: 21 September
Tuesday: 22 September
Wednesday: 23 September
Thursday: 24 September

The BISC welcome desk will be located outside the train station, near the entrance/exit and close to where the Bristol International Flyer bus service operates from.

Do you know when you plan to arrive?
If you know the date and time that you are due to arrive in Bristol, and would like some help upon your arrival, then please let us know. Simply click on the link here to submit your details - http://www.bisc.org.uk/welcontact.htm. Please note, we can only meet you within the times and dates that our welcome desks are in operation.

If your travel details change nearer the time, please remember to update us. We will then be able to look out for you at the bus/ train station when you arrive.

Getting Started
For information about studying and living in the UK we recommend the following websites:
1) Friends International: A practical guide to living and studying in the UK
http://www.new2uk.org/new2uk/life_in_the_uk/intro.php

2) UKCOSA: Advise for students studying in the UK: http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/student/index.php

You can access other useful information about Bristol by clicking onto our ‘Coming to Bristol’ page at http://www.bisc.org.uk/bristol.htm. If you can’t find the answer to your question at any of these places, please email us (bisc@bisc.org.uk) or speak to us when you arrive. We think you’ll find the ‘Useful Information’ section helpful, this includes information about where to buy bedding/crockery etc, how to get connected to a telephone, where to buy a UK sim card for a mobile phone, how to get part time work, where to buy a bike etc. Take a look.

Bedding: If you are a UWE Student, we recommend that you pre-order (or buy on your arrival) a bedding pack which includes duvet, pillow, duvet cover, sheet and pillow case. Also you can purchase a crockery pack including plate, bowl, knife, fork, spoon, frying pan etc. It is possible that you may be able to get these items cheaper elsewhere but this is a helpful service and ensures you have some bedding when you arrive as it can be cold at night in September, particularly if you are from a warm climate.

Welcome Meals
We realise that as a newcomer to the city you may feel a bit lonely in the early days. Therefore, at BISC, we will be serving evening meals in our centre to welcome you, provide you with some good food, and an opportunity to meet other newcomers as well as local people. Your first meal is free! -after that each meal costs £2. Meals are served between 6.30-8.30pm and operate on a ticketed first come, first served basis. There is no need to book, just turn up. Vegetarian options are available. Meals served on the following dates:

Thursday: 17 September
Friday: 18 September
Saturday: 19 September

Monday: 21 September
Tuesday: 22 September
Wednesday: 23 September
Thursday: 24 September
Friday: 25 September

Monday: 28 September
Tuesday: 29 September

Guided Walks
BISC will be arranging guided walking tours to help you find your way around. Get to know Bristol! Learn about the city’s history! Do some sightseeing! Make new friends! The walks are free, but you must book your place in advance as there are limited places available (maximum 25 people per group). All walks start promptly from the BISC Centre (45 Woodland Rd, Clifton, BS8 1UT) and last approximately 1½ hours. Book through the BISC office or online.

Thursday 17th September, 4.30pm from BISC
Friday 18th September, 4.30pm from BISC
Saturday 19th September, 4.30pm from BISC

General Information
Our service is free of charge and operated by a friendly team of volunteers made up of people from the following organisations: Bristol International Student Centre, the Christian Union’s from the University of Bristol (UoB) and the University of the West of England (UWE), University Chaplains, icon Team, Bristol Rotary Club and local Church people within the city.

And Finally...
We look forward to meeting you in September, and wish you a safe and pleasant journey to the city of Bristol. If you have any queries in the meantime, then email bisc@bisc.org.uk and we will do our best to help. Please note that we are closed for some of the summer so your email may not be answered straight away, please be patient.

Photos of Welcome Desks at train and coach stations during previous Welcome periods.