Читать книгу International Students’ Survival Guide - Литагент HarperCollins USD, Ю. Д. Земенков, Koostaja: Ajakiri New Scientist - Страница 21

Even if you’re living on or very close to campus, you’ll probably want to travel around the town sometimes to go shopping, sightseeing, or have fun. How do you plan to travel in your new country? Here are some options to look at.

On foot: If you’ll be living on campus and close to shopping and entertainment, you may be able to walk to most places. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, especially if your campus is large! Some institutions can arrange for a security guard to go with you if you’re nervous walking around the campus after dark, or you can call a saferide service (in many parts of the US). Be sure of safety issues around your campus before you walk around too much.

In the UK, the weather is very changeable, so take an umbrella with you even if it’s not raining.

Campus bus: Institutions which have very large campuses or more than one campus may have free buses for students and staff to get around more easily.

Bicycle: Cycling is a cheap and effective way to travel short distances. Check the laws for cyclists in your new country: Do all cyclists have to wear helmets? Is it legal to cycle on the sidewalk/pavement? In the US, it’s not illegal to cycle on the sidewalk, but it might annoy people who are walking. Bicycle lights and a bell may be a requirement; you may need to buy these separately. Make sure you buy a strong lock for your bicycle (not just a thin chain!): bicycles are often stolen on campus.

Car: If you plan to drive in your new country, bring your driver’s license with you and research the laws for drivers from other countries. The traffic regulations may also be different from what you are used to—avoid fines by reading the highway code. Make sure you can afford to drive: buying or renting a car, paying for fuel, parking, and repairs and so on can be very expensive. If you plan to drive to classes, check the cost and availability of parking on campus and near campus.

Public transportation: What public transportation is available around campus and where you plan to live? Check the fares and whether you can get a student concession or student discount. Do you need to pay beforehand, with prepaid cards or exact cash? This can differ from city to city. Check transportation timetables: international students sometimes find that buses and trains stop running earlier and run less often than they are used to. You may also find that buses are not as reliable, so allow extra time for traveling if you’re not sure.

Cab/Taxi: Cabs/Taxis are generally quite expensive in English-speaking countries. In the US, unless you’re in a big city such as New York or Chicago, you’ll have to call a cab/taxi ahead of time. You should tip in the US—15–20 percent is the norm. In Australia and New Zealand, passengers often sit in the front next to the driver instead of in the back seat. In the UK, there are two types of cabs/taxis. You can hail a black cab on the street if their amber light is on, but private hire cars (“mini-cabs”) need to be booked before the trip on the phone or in person. It’s not necessary to tip the driver but passengers often round the price up.