Hi Guys,
I’m Declan Higgins, your Vice President and Welfare Officer for 2013/14.
This is the section where you’ll find information on stuff like accommodation, childcare, study, health and finances.
Being away from home can be tough especially if it’s your first time. Apart from the practical stuff like cooking your own meals, washing and looking after the house; it can also be daunting living away from home and trying to make new friends. But fear not! Thankfully, NUI Galway has a reputation for being a relaxed and friendly place to study with some fantastic services that are in place to ensure your stay here is a positive and worthwhile experience.
College is what you make of it, so make the most of it! There are loads of things to do to keep you occupied on campus. There are tonnes of clubs and societies to keep you fit and active, plus it’s a great way to make new friends. There are also countless volunteering opportunities to help you learn new skills and to really challenge you. Should you encounter any difficulties during your years at NUIG, remember that there are services available that are mostly free for students to use – the Student Health Unit, Students’ Union, Counsellors, Career Guidance advisors, Chaplains, Accommodation Offices etc. are most helpful and are very understanding to student concerns and needs. Don’t feel intimidated or worried about visiting any of these offices – it’s quite common that students, especially first years, will feel pressure or concern at some stage during their time at college and that’s exactly what these services are there for. If you have any problems in the areas of accommodation, childcare, study, health, finances and social welfare check out our information pages or contact the welfare officer here in the Students’ Union.
The cost of college can come as a big shock for students and parents alike and it will vary from year to year. It’s important to manage your resources well no matter how scarce they are! There are many temptations and the food budget can often be diverted into the socialising budget!
Getting the balance right to stay healthy and safe is certainly a big challenge. Remember that a budget is a plan – a list of money coming in and a list of money you need to pay out – the trick is in sticking to it! You’ll probably find you will make many attempts before you get it right but practice makes perfect.
If you don’t have a bank account then it’s a good idea to set one up as soon as you can. There is a bank on campus and several other banks close to the college.
If you need any more help then check out http://www.nca.ie/nca/going-to-college
Also see the following: Basic Budgeting Guide, Student Assistance Fund, Other Financial Support, European Health Insurance, Banking, Employment Rights, Tax
Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS)
MABS offers advice to people in financial difficulties. They have offices in Galway and offer information through their website at www.mabs.ie
Everyone has rights and being away from home means it’s a great time to learn what your rights are.
If you need legal advice please read more about FLAC (FREE LEGAL ADVICE CENTRE)
You can rent your own place 18 is the legal age to hold a tenancy (that means you are the person who legally rents the place).
Choose your own GP
Consent to a sexual relationship
Vote in Elections (You can vote at 18 but you must register your name on the electoral register.)
Get a part-time job
Receive Contraceptive Advice and Supplies
You can contact the Students’ Union Welfare Officer with regard to any of these issues.
The Student Health Unit (located upstairs in Áras na Mac Léinn) provides a confidential general practitioner service.
Most services provided by the Health Unit are FREE. Upon entering the Student Health Unit for the first time, you will be required to fill out a form. Information on the form will only be seen by Health Unit Staff to note your medical history.
The opening hours of the unit are 9.15am – 12:30pm and 2:30pm – 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
The Health Unit operates on a walk in triage basis daily with students seen on a first come, first served basis.
For further information please click here: Health Unit
Travel Advice for Students
Whether you are going away for a few weeks or for the whole Summer don’t let your trip be affected by illness. For all travellers (regardless of destination) here are some useful tips and recommendations so you can make the best out of your time abroad. If you want more tips or information then look at the Department of Foreign Affairs website. Don’t forget to be safe and have fun!
Before You Leave
Before you head off, there are lots of things you need to do.
- Read up on the countries you plan to visit, this gives you a taste of what you are about to experience.
- Get a good rucksack and bring essentials with you. Clothes, sun cream, condoms and sunglasses.
- Make photocopies of your passport, tickets and insurance: keep one set of copies in your luggage separate from the originals and keep a set at home. If you do lose the originals then at least you’ll have those.
Travel Insurance
Before going away get travel insurance. Lots of banks and insurance companies provide travel insurance so shop around. When getting travel insurance, choose one that covers you for illness, injury, accidents and theft. If you are travelling in Europe, make sure you get yourself a European health insurance card, which entitles you to emergency health care in any EU member state
Passport and Visa Information
Before making an travel plans always check your passport expiry date.Don’t wait until the last minute to apply for your passport. Some countries now insist that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after the start of your visit, so check the expiry date carefully. Make sure you have the correct visa if you are travelling to a country that requires one.
If you are having trouble with your passport then you contact one of the following
|
Dublin |
Cork |
| Ph: 01 671 1633 LoCall : 1890 426 888 Fax: 01 671 1092 Northern Ireland LoCall : 0845 8504 321 |
Ph: 021 494 4700 |
| Recorded Information Line 24 Hour Recorded Information Line Ph: 00 353 1 679 7600 or LoCall : 1890 426 800 Emergency Service Out of hours emergency telephone number : 00 353 1 478 0822 |
|
J1 Information
For those of you heading to the US on a J1 this summer, please check out our J1 section for some useful contact information and tips.
Health and Vaccinations
If you take any medication, then make sure you have enough for the whole trip and bring a copy of the prescription.
Take special care over arranging your vaccinations. Give yourself plenty of time to get fully vaccinated. Contact your G.P or call into the Health Unit for more information on what vaccinations you need.
- Vaccinations take time. Consult your doctor or nurse as soon as possible ideally 8 weeks before departure. Late bookings can leave insufficient time for vaccinations to become fully effective.
- Tetanus and diphtheria vaccination is important. For countries where these diseases are still common you should to receive boosters every 10 years and everyone should have completed their normal British childhood schedule.
- There is an increasing risk of tuberculosis for those visiting many of the high-risk areas and mixing with the local population. Remember protection from BCG vaccination is only achieved after about 4-6 weeks. Boosters are not normally required.
- Meningococcal type ACWY vaccine is advised for those visiting risk areas in sub-Saharan Africa who will be mixing closely withthe local population, as might be the case in your situation.
- Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are important for those who are not able to be careful about their food and water hygiene in risk areas, asis often the case with the more adventurous traveller.
- Japanese B encephalitis is spread by mosquitoes and is sometimes advised for those spending longer periods in risk, especially rural areas, as is often the case with the more adventurous traveller.
- Influenza vaccine can be considered for those who might get a more severe illness such as those with existing chest problems. Remember the ‘flu’ season in the Southern Hemisphere is from April to November.
- Rabies vaccination can be important if you are going to be more than a day or two from good medical facilities that may well be the case in your situation.
- Yellow fever is a mosquito borne disease and occurs most commonly in jungle areas. It is therefore more likely in travellers going to remote areas. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is necessary for crossing borders in many parts of Africa and South America.
When you arrive at your destination
Culture Shock
Culture shock can be very real. The term describes the stress that many travellers experience when arriving in countries where pretty much everything can be very different to everything they are used to. Homesickness can be a big problem when spending large chunks of time away from home. Some travellers go abroad to avoid unresolved problems and this can make things worse. Time differences between continents might increase isolation when it’s difficult to contact friends back home.
Food and Drink
Only eat food that has been cooked all the way through or fruits and vegetables that have been washed and peeled. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it or don’t eat it.Only drink water or other drinks from sources you trust. In some countries tap water (which may also be used for ice) is not recommended for consumption and bottled or boiled water is recommended.
Anti-social behaviour is any aggressive, intimidating or destructive activity that damages or destroys another person’s quality of life.
So, for example, if you are continuously playing loud music which is annoying and interfering with your neighbours peace and quiet then this may amount to anti-social behaviour. Similarly, if large numbers of people are continuously gathering outside or near your house and their behaviour is causing you alarm, distress, fear or intimidation then this behaviour may amount to anti-social behaviour. Damaging property is also considered anti-social behaviour.
There are consequences for your actions. If caught acting in such a childish manner you can face some serious actions.
- You could be brought before the University and face suspension or expulsion
- You can be evicted from your accommodation
- You can face a criminal conviction. This can derail your future career and travel plans
- You can face hefty fines
- You can have serious difficulties in getting a visa to other countries
If you feel threatened or bullied in your home then let your residence management, landlord or the Accommodation Office know about it.
Going Out
There’s lots to see and do in Galway but as always you have to be alert and plan ahead if you’re going out at night.
One fo the first things to do on arrival at NUI Galway is to save some local taxi/hackney numbers on your phone. if you have any queries or complaints about taxis or hackneys you should contact the SU Welfare Officer or go directly to the Taxi Regulator at www.taxireg.ie
Also see: Alcohol, Drugs, Personal Safety, Road Safety, Water Safety, Staying In
Taxis & Cabs
One of the first things to do on arrival at NUI Galway is to save three or four local taxi/hackney numbers to your phone.
If you can at all, avoid taking a taxi/cab home alone at night. It may be safer than walking but it’s best to be with someone you know. It works out cheaper that way too! Sharing with a stranger going in your direction will mean you are not alone with the driver but only you can decide if you are comfortable with that. Never get into a car if it doesn’t feel right. Wait for another taxi/cab if you have to. Here are some tips on taxi/cab safety:
- If you are drunk, try not to get a taxi/cab on your own. Stay at a friend’s house or get someone to stay with you instead.
- Check for the driver’s name and badge number on the dashboard and any distinguishing features about the car or the driver. Take note of the company you use.
- Get into the habit of asking for a receipt. This will allow you to trace the company and driverif you need to.
- If you feel your driver has acted inappropriately or you are unhappy with the company you use, let somebody know. You can notify the company or if you would prefer the Students’ Union Vice-President/ Welfare Officer can do it for you.
- Remember that if you have a query or complaint you can contact the Taxi Regulator on 1890 60 60 90. www.taxireg.ie
Food & Diet
If you’re not in digs, this could be the most difficult thing about coming to University. You’re hungry, you don’t have the cash to eat out and you’re sick of beans on toast. On top of that, you’re off form because you’re not getting the right stuff into you. This can mean your sporting, academic, health and social life aren’t exactly thriving.
We have the magic recipes. You won’t be hired as head chef downtown but the lads in the house and the hot stuff next door will give you kudos. Your mum might give you a break too!
Tips for shopping on budget
- Make a list and stick to it!
- Shop once a week for everything.
- Stock up on starchy food like cereal, bread, pasta, noodles and rice.
- If you use frozen vegetables there’s no waste.
- The cheapest vegetables are normally cabbage, carrots, cauliflower and broccoli.
- Look out for special offers, but don’t bother with ‘three-for-twos’ unless you really want it, because you won’t be saving money if it goes off and you have to throw it out.
- Lean mince beef or chicken fillets can be expensive but there’s no waste, so overall they canbe good value.
- Try doing your shopping in the bigger stores – they tend to be cheaper.
- If you shop early in the day, the store will usually deliver to your house.
For other recipes why not try www.lidl-recipes.ie
Are you drinking too much?
e-PUB
The electronic Personal Use Barometer (e-PUB) is a brief self-assessment that provides you with accurate, detailed and personalized feedback on your use of alcohol, and specific information and helpful resources in the National University of Ireland, Galway community.
The E-Checkup to Go (e-CHUG) is a NASPA recognised, evidence based, on-line intervention and personalised feedback tool developed by counsellors and psychologists at San Diego State University, and is currently in use at over 550 campuses in the United States, Canada, Australia and Ireland. Furthermore, since its inception in 2002, the e-CHUG has been consistently updated and has undergone three major revisions. Twelve (12) outcome studies-6 published in peer-reviewed journals and 6 presented at professional conferences- conducted across various campus communities consistently demonstrate that the eCHECKUP TO GO (e-CHUG) significantly reduces students’ drinking and risk-taking behaviours.
An Irish version of the module, named the e-Personal Use Barometer (e-PUB) was developed at NUI Galway in collaboration with San Diego State University. Click the button below to take the test!
The basic intervention takes students 15-20 minutes to complete and review their personalized feedback report.The program is self-guided, and requires no face-to-face contact time with a counsellor or administrator. As it is offered online, the e-PUB can provide quick, confidential feedback in multiple settings. This also allows a student to complete a personal ‘check-up’ on multiple occasions to track changes in use and risk behaviour.
Also, see http://www.echeckuptogo.com/irl/ for more information.