Litt
om det å bo i London
This
page has information about communication, travelling
in London and who to call
in an emergency. Communication Laptop
Computers If you are bringing a laptop computer to London, the school offers
ADSL connection, which is free of charge and available to all students. You can
use the internet or general, standard windows applications from these terminals
during school hours from 09.00 to 18.00. You can also use your laptop if you are
staying in our studio accommodation, as a dial-up line is available in all rooms.
Please note that this line is for data only. It is not possible to connect a telephone
to this. Homestays may be reluctant
to allow students to use their laptops for internet purposes in the home, as many
families only have one phone line which cannot be engaged for long periods of
time. If you are staying in a homestay you may wish to use your laptop for internet
purposes whilst at school only. Please be aware that if your laptop is more than
4 years old, the ADSL connection may not work. Phonecards
and Mobile Phones There are 2 payphones in the school for student use and
phone cards are sold in the Office. All international calls begin with 00. To
call abroad with reverse charges please dial 155. We
suggest that if you are travelling to London for a long period of time, you should
bring a mobile phone with you. Phones from most countries will work in the United
Kingdom, and you will simply need to buy a SIM Card to use your phone in London.
You can buy a SIM-card pack from any registered dealer such as Vodafone or Carphone
Warehouse, which gives you a UK mobile phone number and pre-paid calls. If you
do not have a mobile phone you can buy a mobile phone at the same shop. Carphone
Warehouse, which is located just a few doors away from the school. You can purchase
top-up cards at any local newsagent, Carphone Warehouse, or Woolworths. Post
Post offices are generally open from 09.00 to 17.00 Monday-Friday, and
some are open on Saturday from 09.00 to 12.00. There is a Post Office near the
school but you can also buy stamps at newsagents, in supermarkets and some other
shops. We suggest that you use your
accommodation address to receive mail but if we do receive mail on your behalf
it can be found at the front desk in Reception. If you plan to receive a parcel,
please check in the office every day in order to collect it in a timely manner.
We can only accept parcels on your behalf if you are already attending the school,
and cannot receive anything before your arrival. Travelling
in London Public
transport by underground tube or bus is the quickest way of
travelling in and around London. You must have a valid ticket and if you are caught
without one you will have to pay an on the spot fine of £10.
There is a fine of £1000 for smoking on the tube or in the stations. London
is divided into six zones and the fare is calculated by the number of zones you
cross. The School is in Zone 2 but we recommend buying a travel card that includes
Zone 1 so that you can travel easily in and out of the centre. Travel
Cards We advise all students to buy weekly or monthly travel cards. With
these you can have unlimited travel within specific zones on buses or the underground.
The School is on the border of Zones 2 & 3 and if you wish to go to the centre
you will need a Travel Card that includes Zone 1. Travel cards are available for
sale at Tube stations. You will need a passport-sized photo if you get a monthly
travel card. Discounted Student
Travel Cards A Discount Card for 30% discount on London Transport (buses
and tubes only) is available for students aged over 18, who are in full-time education
(more than 15 hours a week), who have registered for a consecutive period of 14
weeks or more and whose fees are fully paid in advance. You
must apply for the Discount card through the school and you will need to complete
an application form and return it to the Office with a photo and £5.00 postal
order .The travel card takes 2-3 weeks to be issued. Please ask at the Office
for an application form if you think you are eligible for this. Buses Travelling
by bus is interesting and is good for travelling to the school. All buses have
a route number and destination on the front. There is a bus stop outside the school
for north-bound destinations, and across the road for south-bound destinations.
If you do not have a travel card you will need to buy a ticket from the driver
or conductor. You request a stop by ringing the bell. Buses
that stop outside the school are numbers 113, 13 and 82.
Bus number 328 stops behind the school (on Fortune Green Road). Buses
generally run from the early hours of the morning (approximately 6.00am, although
this varies from district to district) until midnight. After midnight, you can
take a night bus and you will see the special N sign on these buses. We have detailed
maps showing the bus routes for the areas you will need and these are available
from the Office and in your first day pack. Taxis
You can get or hail a black cab anywhere in London and although
this is more expensive than travelling by bus or tube, they are reliable, comfortable
and are often useful if you are lost or it is late at night. It
is not possible to hail a mini cab but you can book these by telephoning
a cab service company in advance. If you are travelling from home, ask your host
for the local minicab service or we recommend Meadway (020 7328 5555) or Swiss
Cottage Cars (020 7433 1000). Please confirm the price of the journey when booking. Please
note that ONLY registered London taxis (with yellow signs on the roof and registration
numbers at the rear) can pick up passengers from any point. Do not get into cabs
that are not registered unless you have pre-booked the minicab. Maps
of London Even Londoners use maps to plan their routes. We advise everyone
to buy a copy of one of the London Street Guides such as "A-Z" or Nicholson's
Guide. Emergency telephone
numbers Fire/Police/
Ambulance: 999 The Hampstead
School of English: 020 7794 3533 Local
Taxi Service: 020 7328 5555 OR 020 7433 1000
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