What are your plans for this summer? David from Foreign Students takes us through his top tips for international students’ summer holiday options…

If you’re an international student in the UK right now, chances are you’re in the middle of exams and feeling pretty stressed. However, before you know it, exams will be over and you’ll be faced with a three month summer holiday.

If you haven’t already made plans for the summer, then you have a few different options. Here we go through what choices you have and give you some top tips on how to make the most of your summer.

Go Home

The most obvious choice is to go home for the summer. You’ve probably missed your family and friends during your stay in the UK, and they’ll certainly have missed you. You can spend the summer reacquainting yourself with freshly cooked dinners, free laundry and no rent.

At home you can either get a summer job and save up some extra spending money for when you return to study, or else simply relax, recharge and get a head start on next year’s work.

Positives: See the people and things you have missed, save money

Negatives: May get bored a week after getting there

Stay in the UK

Even though you won’t have any lectures to attend, you may still want to stay in the UK over the summer. If you are settled and you are paying for your accommodation over the summer anyway, then it may be the best option.

The summer is a great chance to get some work experience that can improve your CV. Working full time or part time can help you save up that extra bit of cash to help you out during term time, and doing it in a job relevant to your degree can be really useful (you can search & apply for jobs here).

However, the best way to give your career prospects a boost is by trying to get an internship. Doing a one-three month internship in an industry you’re interested in will help you make contacts and will look brilliant on your CV. The only downside is that many internships are unpaid, so you will need to have some savings to help you through.

Alternatively, just relax and enjoy exploring parts Britain you haven’t had a chance to yet. You can travel around the UK really cheaply if you’ve got the time to take a bus. Plus, who knows, you may even get to see the mythical English sun!

Positives: Could get good work experience

Negatives: Accommodation expensive, may miss your family (?!)

Go Travelling

University summers are pretty much the one chance in your life that you have long periods of time with zero responsibilities. Therefore, it is the perfect time to travel the world.

If you are from outside of Europe, using the UK as a base and exploring the many wonderful cities of the continent would certainly be memorable. Travelling by train can be great value and very sociable, whilst staying in hostels means you can do it all on a budget (read this guide for top tips).

Another alternative is to volunteer. There are loads of programmes open to volunteers who want to travel and live in an unusual part of the world, whilst also helping others.

Positives: Unique experience

Negatives: Expensive

Now that you’ve seen some of your options, maybe you’ll think twice about simply going home and sitting in front of the TV for the whole summer. For three months you have total control over your time – make the most of it!

Are you ready to deck the halls and hang the baubles? As the annual festivities edge ever closer, it’s time to get prepared for Christmas…

The evenings are drawing in, the shops are staying open later and that advert has hit our television screens. It can only be time for one thing: Christmas!

Yes, it’s November. But with less than 27 shopping days until the big day, it is time to get ready.

Not convinced? We’ve outlined five reasons why you should prepare early:

1. Budget

As un-festive as it sounds, budgeting is the key to a happy Christmas – there’s nothing worse than stressing about the cost of the celebrations, so spread the cost and start shopping now!

2. Offers

Take advantage of the discounts. Many retailers have pre-Christmas sales so get in there early and bag a bargain!

3. Beat the crowds

No one wants to get involved in a scramble for the last game of Scrabble on the shelf.

4. Find the perfect gift

By starting early, you’ll get people presents that they actually want.

5. Relax!

As it gets colder, darker and wetter, the last thing you want to do is rush around the high street in mid December. Stay inside, light a fire and put your feet up in front of the box. It’s a pretty good feeling when, in December, all you have to worry about is who ate the last mince pie!

Plus, with many families spread across all four corners of the globe, the earlier you start your Christmas shopping, the more likely your presents will be delivered on time.

The good news is, we’re making it even easier to send your gifts this Christmas. With over 1,300 Service Points nationwide, we’re sure to be on a high street near you. So, once you’ve found the perfect present, just take it to your local Service Point and we’ll send it on its way!

Being prepared not your strong point? No problem! Our later posting dates guarantee your gifts will be there in time to be placed under the Christmas tree.

Great news! This month, DHL Service Point is launching in One Stop stores in Hatfield, Tooting, Acton and Plymouth.

One Stop provides an extensive service to its local customers, open first thing in the morning to late at night. That’s why they are the perfect partners for DHL Service Point.

The key benefits of having a Service Point at your local One Stop store includes:

• Simple price structure
• Free packaging
• UK and international delivery
• Free, online parcel tracking
• All packages are signed for on delivery
• No account necessary

Look out for promotional leaflets in your local area to get a discount on your first shipment.

Find your local One Stop store here.

Moving away from home, living in a new city and making new friends can make going to university a daunting experience. But there’s no need to panic! Follow these top tips and you’ll be just fine…

Before you go

1. Find your new housemates online before you go with your university’s Facebook page or The Student Room. Plan what you’re all going to take with you, or you may end up with six kettles and no toaster!

2. Get a head start on what’s going on in Freshers’ Week so you can plan your budget. Many universities will publish schedules on their Student Union website.

3. Pack lots of fancy dress as there are always plenty of themed parties!

4. Buy a good quality saucepan. With the copious amounts of pasta and baked beans you’ll get through, it’s a good investment.

5. Get a student bank account. There are many perks and discounts offered by different banks so shop around. Check out Money Saving Expert to see which one’s best for you.

6. Many courses require students to buy a reading list and it’s a good idea to order your books in advance.

When you get there

7. Make sure you leave your door open while unpacking. This is a sure-fire way to make friends, as you will appear friendly and approachable.

8. Take a box of chocolates to share with your new flat mates. This is a great icebreaker and another easy way to make friends.

9. Go to the Freshers’ Fair. You may discover a new sport or society that you hadn’t heard of before – plus you’ll pick up loads of freebies!

10. From posters to pillows and photographs to fairy lights, it’s vital you make your room feel homely (just make sure you check with your university before sticking things all over the walls!).

11. Have a hoody and a pair of shoes in easy reach of your bed. You’ll be thanking us when the fire alarm goes off in the early hours of the morning.

12. Take your student card everywhere with you – you’ll be surprised by how many places you can use it at.

13. Register with a doctor as soon as possible. Freshers’ Flu is notorious so take care of yourself by eating plenty of fruit and veg.

14. Finally, and most importantly, have fun! Your time at university will fly by so take time to savour every moment.

Coming to the UK to study as an international student can be overwhelming. However, Foreign Students can help you with their Student Starter Pack 2012. Check it out here!

Once you’ve finished with your books for the year, sell them on and pack a profit. With DHL Service Point, you don’t get charged by the weight of your package – perfect for a box full of heavy books! Service Point is located in many Student Unions around the UK; click here to see if we’re at yours.

Get a massive 10% off your first shipment when you send with DHL Service Point from any Staples store in the UK. Perfect for sending that dirty washing home!

Times are tough for uni students. Fees are on the rise. Rents are on the up. And the price of a pint of beer is through the roof.

But that doesn’t mean it’s time to scrimp, save and live the life of a Dickensian miser. It’s just about being smart with your student loan come September/October time. The good news is there are loads of offers out there to help you get through the next year without resorting to begging or bank robbery.

We’ve got a great one for you right now: a massive 10% off your first shipment when you ship with DHL Service Point from any Staples store in the UK.

It’s a perfect opportunity to have a clear-out, send your washing home, or sell stuff on eBay. But best of all, it’s a good excuse to pop into your local Staples and stock up on supplies for the new uni year.

The world’s largest office products supplier, Staples is your one-stop-shop for all things stationery – as well as offering free parking, late opening hours and a DHL Service Point in every store! Plus, a host of hot deals to help your student loan go that little bit further.

Click here to find your nearest Staples store

As swarms of undergrads disappear home to enjoy the summer break, you’re stuck on campus writing your thesis. But you can still enjoy your summer too! Find out how to keep on top of your work with Service Point…

1. Planning is key

If you haven’t already picked a topic and put together a detailed plan, get started now. Reading is key to developing a good plan, but this will take time so it is important to start your research early.

Think about the structure your thesis will take and plan your chapters. The more you plan, the better disciplined you’ll be, and the more likely it is you’ll get a good result.

Create a timetable to make sure you stay on track. Give yourself regular breaks, get plenty of sleep and eat well – these will help to keep your brain active.

It is also important to talk to your supervisor from an early stage, as well as other students, discussing ideas and methods for writing your thesis.

2. Write as you go

It can be tempting to leave writing your thesis until after your research, but it’s a good idea to take notes as you go. To make life easier, consider using a software tool like Reference Manager to keep track of your references, or you may never be able to find them again!

It’s important to review and proofread your work once it’s complete. Mistakes, including typos, undermine the professional quality of your work, and will impact on your overall result.

Finally, make sure you have a complete references section or bibliography highlighting your sources.

3. Use your supervisor

After all, that’s what they’re there for. Your dedicated supervisor will support you throughout your thesis by reading drafts and offering feedback, helping you to get the best result possible.

4. Get your work organised and looking great!

You’ll have accumulated lots of notes and it’s a good idea to keep them in folders, making them easy to find. You’ll find all your stationery needs at Staples.

After spending such a long time creating your work, it’s only fair to get it looking great! Again, Staples is the place to go to get your thesis printed and bound. Click here to see if these services are on offer with Staples this week.

5. Sell the books you no longer need

Unless you’re planning on a career in academia, chances are you’re not going to need the books you used to do your research again.

So sell them on and pack a profit! With Service Point, you don’t get charged by the weight of your package – perfect for a box full of heavy books!

Find out more about Service Point here.

Here at DHL Service Point, we like to give helpful tips and advice to students. And as our parcels travel around the world every day, we thought it would be a great idea to give some useful tips to those of you who are thinking of doing the same!

We asked top online hostel booking site, Hostelbookers, if they’d like to share some top tips for saving money before and whilst travelling, and luckily for you – they said yes! So here they are: 10 top tips for saving money before and during your travels.

Save Before

Before you hit the road, you need to make sure you’ll be able to support yourself throughout your travels. By doing a bit of research and making a few changes to your lifestyle before you set off on your big adventure, the pennies will soon add up.

1. Budget. Do your research and make sure you can afford to visit the countries you want to. The cost of living varies from place to place. For example, a bed for the night in Thailand will cost much less than it will in Australia, so make sure you know the price of accommodation, food and sights before you set off. Many countries also require you to get a visa before entry – you can send visas and important documents around the world using DHL Service Point.

2. Before leaving, you must check with your bank to find out what charges they have for overseas withdrawals – the fees will soon add up. Traveller’s cheques or specialist travel spending cards give you much better exchange rates and are worth looking into. It’s also advisable to clear any debts you may have. If you have credit cards, complete payments where possible or move debts to one account to make it easier to keep track of your money.

3. Don’t buy everything in the shops. Chances are, unless you’re climbing Machu Picchu, you won’t need hiking boots or sleeping bags. They’re expensive, bulky, and difficult to carry around and you’ll probably end up throwing them away when you realise how much space in your bag they take up! If you really feel like you should have bought something, get your ‘rents to buy it and post it to you via their local Service Point – it’s that easy!

4. Although you’ll spend a lot of time waiting for trains, buses and planes, there’s no need to stock up on piles of books before you go. Most hostels have a book exchange service and many travellers swap books and country guides with each other after they’ve used them.

5. Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves. Instead of spending a few pounds on a sandwich from the local supermarket, make your lunch at home. Stop going out for dinner and buy a cheap cookbook down the local charity shop and get experimental in the kitchen – you’ll save loads and have fun. Cancel any luxuries you may have, like Sky television – you won’t have a chance to keep up with any programmes whilst you’re away, so we’re sorry to say that now is the time to finally give up watching Hollyoaks!

Save During

It’s imperative that you have enough money to keep you going throughout your travels. Think how upset you’d be if you ran out of money half way through your trip and had to come home. But don’t worry; there are easy ways to save money whilst on the road.

6. Now of course, we’re a little biased, but hostels are a cheap way to bed-hop around the world and a great way of meeting friends!  Whether you’re travelling alone, as a couple or a group of friends, staying in dormitory rooms is the cheapest way of grabbing a bed for the night. If you wish to have a bit more privacy, most hostels offer private rooms at a reasonable price. In some hostels, you can also work for your accommodation. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a free bed at the end of the day! Check out our range of hostels here.

7. Travel like a local. After all, you’ve gone abroad to experience life in other countries, so why fly or take tourist buses or trains, which are often overpriced? Transport is very good in many countries. For example in South America, the bus services are fantastic, even in second class. You will get reclining seats, films to watch and sometimes even a hot meal, for a fraction of the price of a first class ticket.

8. Eat like a local. Many people shy away from trying the local cuisine or street food, and opt for the tourist restaurants. Big mistake. Street food is often freshly caught or prepared that day, and as you can see them making it in front of you, you know what’s going into it, unlike in a restaurant. Of course, common sense comes in to play here and you should always choose the busiest stalls – if the locals are eating there, it’s sure to be good. Another alternative to eating in restaurants is using the kitchen facilities that many hostels have nowadays.

9. Haggle. It may seem like a strange concept after coming from a country where everything is a fixed-price, but it is often expected in many markets and cultures around the world. Lose your inhibitions and give it a go – you never know what bargains you might pick up.

10. Finally, if you are a student, make sure you get an International Student Card, which is valid in 120 countries and can save you money at many attractions, stores and restaurants around the world.

Now you’ve got your money in check, there’s only one thing left to do – go out there and have some fun!

Remember to visit www.hostelbookers.com, a cheap and easy way to book accommodation around the world.

DHL Service Point is available in many locations around the UK. It’s ideal for sending important documents, including visas and passports, at a reasonable price.

This week Felicity West from UK Work Study takes us through some of her top tips for international students coming to study in the UK…

1. Plan your arrival in the UK

So your flight is booked and you know what time you’re due to land.  But have you planned your travel between the airport and your university? Many universities offer help and subsidised or discounted transfer arrangements for their international students.  Contact the International Office at your chosen university for details.

2. Bring local money with you

Make sure you have some British money (pound sterling – £) or a prepaid cash card topped up before you travel.  Bear in mind that most shops in the UK will not accept £50 notes, and buses usually will not accept anything larger than a £5 note.  A good option is to get a MasterCard® prepaid card, which you can top up in any currency from anywhere in the world.

UK Work Study’s Study Pack includes applications and help for getting a MasterCard prepaid card.

3. Pack for all weathers

The weather in the UK changes all the time and it is talked about daily.  A greeting between people often includes a comment about the weather: “It’s a bit nippy today isn’t it!” (It’s cold!), “It’s pouring out there!” (It’s raining really hard!), “Turned out nice again!” (What a surprise, it’s sunny!).

Check this website for common weather expressions to join in the conversation.

4. Go to your university’s freshers’ week

At universities in the UK, a freshers’ week is usually held before teaching officially starts. The week consists of many events specifically for new starters to get to know the university, city and each other.

The main part of freshers’ week is the freshers’ fair, which is held on campus and showcases the university clubs you can join. Joining a club is a great way to make friends.

The NUS (National Union of Students) will also be there.  For just £11 you can get an NUS Extra card which entitles you to 40,000 discounts in 120 countries as well as cheap entry into locally run university events.

5. Get a UK phone number

Make sure you have a UK sim card (and phone number) with you from day one.  It will cost you less to keep in touch with your new friends at university, as well as when calling your friends and family back home to tell them what a great time you’re having!

There are many available to buy in the UK, but The UK Work Study’s Study Pack includes a UK sim card with credit on that is sent to you in your home country BEFORE you come to the UK.

6. Bring an alarm clock

The whole of the UK is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).  Don’t rely on your natural body clock or the noise of your flat mates to wake you – bring a small battery powered alarm clock to make sure you are up and ready to go!

7. Register with a UK doctor

Most universities provide an on-campus GP (general practitioner) who can act as your doctor for minor ailments and complaints whilst you are away from home.  Ask your international student officer for advice and information about the services available at your university.

Remember, in a serious medical emergency you can call 999 for an ambulance. This is also the same number if you need to speak to the police or fire brigade.

NHS Direct also have a website with a symptoms checker and other medical information and advice.

8. Get the resources needed for your studies in advance

You will need a supply of pens, paper and folders for your studies.  Most universities have bookshops on campus where you can purchase these.

You may also have been sent a reading list for your first term, or will receive it on your registration.  Order these from the bookshop as soon as possible as many people will be wanting the same books as you and stocks may run out fast!

One piece of equipment you may want to consider is an audio note-taker. It can be hard to make notes and remember everything that was said during a lecture, even if English is your first language!

The UK Work Study’s Study Pack includes a discount voucher for the purchase of a Sonocent Audio Note Taker.

9. Make the most of the language services at your university

If you are reading this and coming to study in the UK for university, you can probably understand English quite well.  But how confident are you at having a conversation in English?  Every former international student we spoke to for this article said they wished they had used their English more from day one.

The university experience is new for everyone, no matter where they come from. Remember, it’s not just the education you are coming to the UK for, it’s for new experiences and culture.  Don’t be afraid to use English, it will only get better the more you speak it and will make you very employable in your future career.

10. Learn how to make a cup of tea

This is the most important tip.  Almost everyone in the UK drinks tea. A lot!  There are many coffee shops on every high street in Britain – there’s probably one on your university campus – but when the British get home they ‘put the kettle on’ (make a cup of tea).

Learn how to make the perfect cuppa here.

Finally, don’t forget to have fun.  Now go and put the kettle on!

Find out more about the work of UK Work Study via their website, email or twitter.