In addition to looking at the notes below, you might like to look at this document titled Safety First. It is issued by the British Council with the support and approval of the Home Office and the Police and deals with all aspects of making your stay in the UK as safe as possible.

Some advice for students...

Money

You can exchange money or travellers’ cheques are any of the major banks, or at some large travel agencies who also have currency exchange desks. Branches of all of these can be found in the centre of Norwich. However, the Main Post Office in Castle Mall will change major currencies without charging commission. For students whose courses take place at the University of East Anglia, there are several major banks on campus. We would advise you not to use small foreign exchange bureaux, or ‘money shops’ because they usually charge a high rate of commission.

Most shops and businesses, and the majority of restaurants accept international credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard.

Coins and banknotes

The money system in the UK is decimal with the pound (£) divided into 100 pence (p).

There are cash dispensing machines (also known as ATMs or ‘hole in the wall’) throughout the city and at the University of East Anglia shopping area. There is a cash machine at the bank next door to NILE’s city centre venue.

Communication

Post Office

Stamps are sold in all Post Offices and are sometimes available in other shops such as newsagents. All overseas letters must be either in an airmail envelope or must carry an individual airmail sticker. These are also available from Post Offices. If you are writing to a country outside Europe pre-stamped aerogrammes are cheaper than ordinary letters sent by airmail. If you have any difficulty with buying stamps or posting letters generally, don’t hesitate to ask a member of the NILE staff for help.

Public Telephones

If you wish to make a telephone call from a public call box you will either need to buy a phone card from a newsagents or use coins, and some call boxes will also take credit cards. All calls in Britain are cheaper before 8am and after 6pm. International calls are cheaper before 8am and after 8pm.

Entertainment

NILE staff will give you details of many of the things which are going on in Norwich during your stay, and they will also organise a social programme for you. However, details of local entertainment can also be found in the local newspapers and at the Tourist Information Office, located in the Forum (see below for details).

Theatres and concerts: If you are going to the theatre, or to a concert, you should arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of the performance - if you arrive late you will probably not be allowed into your seat until the interval. Smoking is generally not allowed.

Cinemas

Norwich has two large multiplex cinemas, and an arts cinema. For details of what films are showing, please ask a NILE member of staff.

The Forum

The Forum (next to City Hall, near the open-air market) in Norwich city centre contains the Millennium Library (with over 120,000 reference books), the Tourist Information Centre, The City Learning Station (an interactive multi-media learning centre), Origins Visitor Centre (an interactive, multi-media centre where you can learn more about Norwich history). It also houses a coffee bar and pizza restaurant.

There are a number of computer terminals in the Forum with free email and internet access.

Eating and Drinking

Pubs

Pubs are a great British institution and they may range from small local and country pubs, to large establishments. They serve mainly cold drinks - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic - and sometimes coffee. They also usually serve hot and cold snacks and many pubs now sell hot meals as well. There are no waiters in pubs so you should order your drink from the bar and pay for it immediately. Food is often ordered at the bar as well. There may be two bars - a ‘public’ bar where there may be games such as darts and bar billiards, and a saloon or lounge which will be better furnished and probably quieter.

Wine bars

Wine bars, usually serve a wider selection of wines than pubs. They can be more expensive than pubs and often serve a good selection of meals. Wine bars tend to be quieter than pubs and are good places to sit and talk.

Cafés and snackbars

These do not usually serve alcohol and are often cheaper than restaurants. Some may not be open in the evenings.

Restaurants

You may need to book in advance at some restaurants. In Britain some restaurants do not open on Mondays.

Nightclubs

Nightclubs are open from about 9pm until 2am. They serve alcohol and some food. However both food and drink can be quite expensive. Norwich nightclubs are usually most popular with people under 30 years of age.

Tipping

In Britain there is no tipping in cinemas, concert halls or theatres, or for takeaway meals or meals in pubs. However, it is customary to give the following tips:

• taxi drivers: a tip of about 10% of the taxi fare
• cafés, snack bars, wine bars, restaurants: service may be included in the bill but if it is not, a tip of 10% is customary.

Pubs, restaurants and wine bars are all subject to British licensing laws which usually restrict the sale of alcohol to between the hours of 11am and 11pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and 12am - 3pm and 7pm - 11pm on Sundays and public holidays.

Shop Opening Times

Shops in the city centre are open on Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm or 6pm. Many large stores in the city are open until 8pm or 9pm on Thursdays. On Sunday large stores in the city are open from 10am – 4pm or from 11am – 5pm.

Problems and emergencies

The Police

British police have a reputation for giving friendly help and advice over all kinds of difficulties - if you have a problem don’t hesitate to ask them for help.

If you need to contact the Police, an ambulance or the Fire Service in an emergency, the telephone number is 999.

Medical treatment

If you are living in homestay accommodation and you need medical attention, you host will arrange for you to see the family doctor or dentist. If you are resident at the University of East Anglia, there is a doctor and dentist on campus, and a member of NILE staff will help you to make an appointment.

You must make sure that you have proper travel insurance that covers medical expenses before you leave your country.