What to Bring
Deciding
what to pack into your suitcase can be a very difficult
process. Which clothes should you take, and does it make more
sense to bring items from home or buy them in the UK?
Weight Limit
One factor in deciding what to bring
will be the luggage allowance limit stipulated by your
airline. This will typically be between 20 - 30 kg plus 6kg
hand luggage - check your travel documents or check on the
airline's website to be sure. Anything above this limit will
be charged at a very high excess baggage rates, which is not
usually worth the expense.
If you plan to ask a friend or family
member to send luggage by freight, please be aware that Regent's
College CANNOT accept or store any luggage or boxes. So please
ensure that you arrive in the UK before your suitcase!
Clothing
British weather is notoriously changeable. There are
times when it is warm and sunny in the middle of winter, and it can
be cold and dull even in the summer. Although the UK does not
experience extreme monsoon conditions, rain is quite common
throughout the seasons.
Visitors to the UK are recommended to
pack clothes that can easily be layered on top of each other, such
as T-Shirts, shirts and light jumpers, which will give you the
maximum flexibility to meet the changable weather. Clothing
can also be bought quite cheaply (from shops such as Primark and
Sports World, or from market stalls) if you wish to go shopping
once you have arrived.
Books and Stationery
There should be no need to pack books
in to your suitcase as all the required reading materials for your
course should be available to purchase new from the campus
bookshop, second-hand from other students or on loan from the
Library. Guide books for Britain and Europe can be found in
the IPO and Student Services. Stationery (pens and paper etc.)
may be cheaper in your home country, but for such a small
expenditure it is unlikely to be worth the hassle and room in
your suitcase to bring it with you.
Electrical items
The UK is particularly expensive for
electrical items so you may wish to 
consider bringing your laptop computer and digital camera
from home. Naturally you should ensure that these valuable
items are adequately insured against theft and damage whilst in
transit.
The power supply in the UK is 240v AC,
50Hz, and electrical sockets take 3-pin plugs. You should
ensure that your equipment can be used on this current, or purchase
a suitable adaptor.
Gifts and Souvenirs
Although we would advise against
bringing large items of value, it is always nice to bring a few
small items to share with your new friends and people who help you,
for example if you go on a home stay. Whether it is a small
bottle of maple syrup from Canada, a lace handkerchief from Belgium
or a set of picture postcards from Australia, the people who
receive your gift will be touched by your thoughtfulness.
Food and Drink
Many people worry that they will miss
their favourite foods from home, and may be tempted to bring some
snacks and ingredients with them from home. This is often
unnecessary, as due to London's diverse ethnic communities, food
and drink from every continent can be found on shops and market
stalls.
Certain foodstuffs, especially meat,
fish and other animal products from outside the EU, are banned from
being brought in to the UK. Do not risk breaking the law by
bringing illegal items from home.
See also the HM Revenue and Customs guide to what can
be brought into the UK.
Page last updated 3/1/2012