Last year at this point of time, I was searching and google-ing day and night
TARC-SUMMER PROGRAMME
JMU SUMMER PROGRAMME
LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY etc….
Just in hope that I can find some useful tips and survivor skill before and during my stay at JMU in June-Sept 2009. and to my dismay, there’s only less than a hand full of blogs or website that provide such information. Of course its no easy job to write out a 100page “TARC-SUMMER PROGRAMME MANUAL”. It takes time, effort and memory juices to recall all single bits of useful information that is useful to a new Ah Lian like me who travel to angmoh land for the first time.
Therefore, this year around I thought it would be great to jolt a few words for those of you who are going to further your study in LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY- SUMMER PROGRAMME.
Just like you, the issue that top the list of my worries was $$$ the huge, fat sign of $$$. Worry tak cukup duit to use. Worry bout the cost of living in UK. Worry bout the price of food. Worry $xxx enough to shop in UK especially for the girls and not sure how much would it cost for an affordable Europe Trip before bidding sayonara to UK in Sept. Anyway, below are all based on my personal experience and I’m delivering my personal opinion. FOLLOW/ ADAPT AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
CURRENCY RATE
I have been monitoring the rate everyday before heading to the counter to exchange the $$$. Basically there are you have buy 2 types of Pounds/GBP, ( the the currency of UK not the fats) One is the cash and the other is the cheque for the course fees. Public bank, Maybank, RHB bank do have their currency exchange rate posted online and the rates of different banks varies. Please be aware of the updating time. Some rate online were for the day before and some will only update the rate after a certain time of the day. So, do Not be a blind cat and exchange at the wrong rate.
On the hand for cash, you can monitor a some pengurup wang counter online, not all money changer has website. Those that I know of are these:
Wawasan money changer
KLR money changer
Through my previous observation, the counter that offer good rate are the one at centre court midvalley and the one in front of Sungai Wang Plaza Entrance. There might be other counter that offer better rate which I not know of, its wise that you research a few more money changer before exchanging. And do not be afraid to negotiate with the person, if the amount that you are exchanging is a lot, you maybe able to obtain a cheaper rate than the one display on the board. You may also gather a few friends to exchange together to increase your bargaining power with the money changer =p
AIR TICKET
I will certainly not buy the ticket from the agent recommended by college, because from what I have calculated, they earn 1/3 from the price we pay. Yes, its one third, that’s more than a Thousand ringgit from our pocket. Many worry bout booking and buying air ticket on their own. Of course, I did worry too and end up pay that the agent so much for no good reason. What I suggest to you here is, surf the airlines in the internet and I compare the price on your own. You can always check out Emirate, KLM, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airline and MAS or even AIRASIA that fly to London. Take note that the nearest airport to Liverpool or Sheffield is Manchester Airport. Liverpool airport are only for local flights and within Europe. If you were to travel in a group, you can even book arrival at London Heathrow and spend a few days in London before the classes begin. There are many National Express coaches and train that travel from Victoria Station London to Liverpool and Sheffield daily.
There are so much more information to be loaded in here but its time for me to Zzzz...
Will update again soon =)
