Make sure you're prepared for your Erasmus Traineeship.
Improve your language skills
Before departure, spend as much time and effort as possible learning your host’s language and start as soon as you can.
You could enrol on one of the evening courses at the Language Centre.
Find out about the country you will be staying in
Find as much information as you can to prepare yourself, talk to other students and be aware of local issues. You will find very useful information on the following websites:
- ArrivalGuides.com - Travel guides from ArrivalGuides. All travel guides are in PDF format, free to download, easy to print and bring along on your placement. These full colour travel guides include pictures, travel maps and information boxes with important phone numbers, taxi services and public transportation details.
- Foreign travel advice on GOV.UK
- How to deal with a crisis overseas on GOV.UK
Passport and visa
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that their travel documents, including passport and visa, are in order and comply with immigration requirements of the host country.
Make sure you have a passport valid for the entirety of your planned time on exchange plus an additional six months after your planned return. If you hold a passport outside the European Union, you should check with your Embassy for student study visa requirements.
Insurance
UAL has a basic insurance policy covering students going abroad but it is not comprehensive. Note in particular that students are not insured for any activity that is not related to their course or the University.
It is therefore recommended that students take their own insurance for the period they are abroad.
Prior to travel, all students must read the travel cover summary which outlines cover and procedures necessary to ensure all medical emergencies are handled smoothly. Remember to always retain invoices/receipts for all expenditure incurred. You will need to produce these to support your claim.
For more information on UAL Insurance, please see the UMAL website and the UAL Travel Cover Summary (PDF 136KB).
Health and safety
- Consider if immunisation is necessary. The decision to get vaccinated is a personal decision and cannot be enforced, however deciding not to be vaccinated when recommended is likely to invalidate health insurance and may restrict travel.
- Take advice from your GP. If you have to take any medication for any ongoing medical condition ensure that you have an ample supply for the entire duration of your trip. This should be split up between your hand luggage and checked-in luggage in case one of your bags is lost. It is recommended that if you have any pre-existing medical conditions they should be disclosed to your host institution.
- You are advised to have a dental check before you depart.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office strongly recommend photocopies of passports and other relevant documents are taken and kept separate from the originals.
Visit Fit For Travel for more information.
Enrol at UAL
It is very important that you enrol at UAL before you depart. This is particularly important if your work placement is in the autumn term and you leave before the start of your home college year.
Please consult with your College administration if you have any doubts on the enrolment procedure. Non-enrolled students will not be covered by UAL insurance policy.
For insurance issues (emergency only)
Email the Insurance Team: insurance.team@arts.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7514 8870