pre-departure guide
United Kingdom
London is waiting. Are you ready?
To help you prepare for your time down under, we’ve compiled a bunch of essential information and some logistical details into this guide. Find a comfy chair, grab your favorite beverage and take 20 minutes to go through this information. We’d also encourage you to share this guide with anyone important to you.
We have also included some tips for the Hop Well-Come. This four-day program has been specially designed to ease your transition into Europe, meet other students and our team, plus just have a little fun in quaint Mayrhofen. We think you will love it.
Thank you for trusting us to be your partner in this journey. We are going to be right there by your side, every step (or hop) of the way.
Enjoy the guide, reach out if you need anything and safe travels. We look forward to meeting you in Europe.
YOUR TEAM@HOP
essential documents
Passport: The big one! Numero Uno! This is the single most essential piece of documentation you’ll need during your time abroad. So it goes without saying that it is important to know where it is at all times and especially when traveling.
HOP HINT: Identify a place in your carry-on, or backpack where it goes and check EVERY TIME you move. Do the big three check - Passport, Phone and Wallet/Purse.
Students have left passports on check-in counters and airline seat backs multiple times before creating unnecessary stress to start the journey. When not in use, it is equally as important to stow your passport away in a safe place at your housing. We advise taking a pic of your passport and storing it on your phone in your favorites. If you were to ever lose your passport, it’s easier to obtain a new one if you have copies of the old one. When you move into your housing, some students choose to lock their passport into their unused luggage to keep track of it. You can also now buy passport holders that incorporate air tags as an additional security measure.
Student Visa: Your Global Guide and UoL Goldsmiths will keep you informed and support you throughout securing your UK visitor visa. By this point, you have either received your UK visitor visa application information from Goldsmiths or you will soon. Your UK visitor visa is issued electronically and linked to your passport. Once approved, you will receive a decision email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). You are strongly encouraged to save a digital copy of your visa decision confirmation and carry a printed copy with you when traveling to and from the UK, just in case. Having it easily accessible—both digitally and physically—can be helpful during border checks or travel within Europe.
Health Insurances: You are covered under multiple health insurance policies, both via your host university and Hop Education Abroad. You may also have coverage with your U.S. institution or otherwise; more on health insurance functionality below. Please print and keep copies of your health insurance identification information for each policy you have.
Prescriptions: If you are traveling to the United Kingdom with any prescription medications, you are instructed to keep the original prescriptions readily available in your luggage to show TSA officials if asked for.
Remember:
Do not lose your passport.
Make copies of your UK visitor visa, passport and health insurance identification information.
Check your medications before travel.
health insurance
You are covered under at least two health insurance policies while in country. One is provided by Hop Education Abroad and the other may be from home university or parents coverage. If you ever have questions on which policy to use, please reach out to Hop and we can guide you. Generally we would encourage using our policies to request reimbursements. Please ensure you have receipts for all expenses you wish to claim when using the policy.
In partnership with the CHUBB Group of Companies and AXA Travel Partners Assistance, Hop enrolls all students in our combined Health and Travel policy. Should you be traveling outside of your host destination during the program, you are advised to use this insurance (or any other relevant coverage you may have with your home institution or personally).
Below is a summary of included Hop benefits:
BENEFIT | MAXIMUM | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
Total Accident and Sickness | $USD 500,000.00 | Deductible $0 |
Hospital Room and Board | Included Above | Semi Private Room Rate |
Mental Health | $USD 5,000.00 | In Patient Treatment |
Prescription Drugs | 100% of Expenses Covered | In or Out Patient, Co-insurance |
Emergency Medical Evacuation | 100% of Expenses Covered | |
Emergency Medical Reunion | $USD 12,500.00 | |
Home Country Emergency Care | $USD 10,000.00 | Extension Benefit of further $10K (Up to 30 days) |
Security Evacuation | $USD 25,000.00 | Aggregate Limit of $250,000.00 |
Chiropractic Care | $USD 500.00 | $USD 50.00 per Visit (Up to max of $USD 500.00) |
Accidental Death | $USD 50,000.00 | Includes Dismemberment |
Repatriation | 100% of Expenses | |
Personal Belongings | $USD 1,000.00 | |
Cancellation/Delay/Interruption | $USD 6,000.00 | Max of $2,000 each Category |
Lost Luggage | $USD 500.00 | $500 per Bag |
Lost Credit Cards or Cash | $USD 500.00 | Cash Limit of $250.00 |
Hop Education Abroad carries Commercial General Liability Insurance through the CHUBB group of $USD 5,000,000.00 with a $USD 3,000,000.00 amount for each occurrence.
Crisis24 Horizon
At Hop Education Abroad, student safety is always a top priority. That’s why we provide access to Crisis24 Horizon, a powerful global travel risk and assistance app designed to help keep you informed, supported, and prepared wherever you are in the world. Crisis24 Horizon delivers real-time security alerts, health updates, and detailed country and city risk insights—all in one easy-to-use platform.
Available on iOS and Android, the Crisis24 Horizon app puts critical support right in your pocket. Students can receive location-specific alerts, stay up to date on evolving situations, identify nearby medical providers, and access multilingual assistance when it matters most. The app mirrors the robust tools available on desktop, ensuring reliable support on the go.
Backed by a dedicated global intelligence team and an international network of more than 40,000 vetted medical providers, Crisis24 Horizon offers 24/7 access to timely information and assistance. We’re proud to offer this essential resource so students—and their families—can feel confident knowing support is always within reach.
Key features include:
Health, medical, safety, and security insights by location
Country and city risk ratings with detailed profiles
Real-time news and security alerts with customizable notifications
Travel tips to help you prepare and stay informed
Access to a global network of trusted medical providers
With Crisis24 Horizon, Hop students can explore the world with greater confidence—knowing help and information are always close at hand.
Remember:
You have health coverage with multiple insurance providers for the full duration of your program.
Depending on the situation, one insurance policy may be preferred to use over the other.
When traveling outside of your host destination, you have health coverage with Hop’s coverage via CHUBB/AXA, but not the policy chosen by your host university.
Please download the Crisis24 Horizon app.
medications abroad
Traveling with Prescriptions:
You can bring up to three months’ worth of prescription medications with you into the UK, provided they are for personal use. Birth control medication and vitamins are typically fine in larger quantities. All medications should be:
Clearly labeled with your name
In their original prescription packaging
Packed in your carry-on luggage
We strongly recommend keeping prescriptions in your carry-on so you can easily answer questions if airport security or border officials ask about them.
Controlled Medications
Certain medications—such as Adderall (amphetamine-based medications)—are considered controlled substances in the UK and are subject to stricter regulations.
For controlled medications:
You may bring up to a 30-day supply into the UK
You must carry:
A copy of your prescription and
A letter from your prescribing doctor stating:
The medication name
Dosage
That it is prescribed for your personal medical use
If you plan to bring more than a 30-day supply of a controlled medication, you may need to apply for a UK Home Office personal import license before traveling. Your Global Guide can help flag this early if it applies to you.
If You Need More Medication While in the UK
If your program lasts longer than three months, you will need to arrange for additional medication once you arrive. This typically involves:
Registering with a local GP (doctor) in the UK
Having your prescription reviewed and potentially reissued under UK regulations
UK doctors may not prescribe identical medications or dosages as those used in the U.S., especially for controlled substances. It’s important to plan accordingly and discuss alternatives with your home doctor before departure.
All students will receive information about healthcare access and how to register with a local clinic during orientation.
Mailing Prescriptions
Mailing prescription medications from outside the UK is not recommended, especially for controlled substances. Packages containing prescription drugs are often delayed, seized, or destroyed by UK customs if they do not meet strict import requirements.
For this reason, students should plan to:
Bring the maximum allowable supply with them
Work with a UK doctor to obtain refills locally if needed
Government websites with information on specific medications:
UK Home Office – Bringing medicine into the UK
NHS – Prescriptions and healthcare for international students
communications abroad
You have several different options when it comes to using your phone while studying in the United Kingdom. Some of the most common options are outlined below:
International phone plan: Your U.S. phone carrier may offer an international phone plan that works in the UK. While convenient, these plans can be quite expensive and are often not the most cost-effective option for long stays. For example, major U.S. carriers like Verizon and AT&T typically charge around $100 USD per month for international access.
eSIM card plan: eSIMs are a popular and flexible way to access local UK mobile networks digitally—without needing a physical SIM card. You can usually set this up before departure or once you arrive in the UK. There are a variety of data plans depending on your usage needs, with average costs around £20–£30 GBP per month for smaller data packages.
UK SIM card: If your phone is unlocked (meaning it can be used with carriers other than the one it was purchased from), you can purchase a physical UK SIM card after arrival. Popular UK networks include EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three. This is often one of the most affordable and reliable options. If you have an older smartphone, this can also be a great way to use it as a dedicated local phone.
Local phone: You could choose to purchase a low-cost basic phone in the UK for local use while keeping your primary phone on Wi-Fi only. This can be a budget-friendly solution, though carrying two phones may feel inconvenient over time.
Our recommendation: Generally speaking, we recommend using either an eSIM plan or a local UK SIM card, whether in your main phone or a secondary device. These options tend to offer the best balance of flexibility, reliability, and affordability for the length of your program.
Internet: Internet access in the UK is generally reliable and widely available, especially in cities and on university campuses. That said, speeds may vary depending on location and provider, and heavy data use (such as FaceTiming, streaming video, or large uploads) may be slower on mobile networks.
There is an abundance of free Wi-Fi in cafés, libraries, universities, and public spaces throughout urban areas. Coverage can become more limited in rural areas or while traveling outside major cities.
If you don’t plan to purchase a UK SIM or eSIM, you may consider a mobile hotspot. These devices connect to local UK networks and provide Wi-Fi access on the go, which can be helpful for travel days or remote areas.
Local emergency numbers to keep handy:
SERVICE | NUMBER | DETAILS |
Police, Fire, Ambulance (Emergency) | 999 or 112 | Use for any immediate emergency |
Police (non-emergency) | 101 | Crime or concerns that are not urgent |
Medical advice (non-emergency) | 111 | NHS medical help when it’s not an emergency |
important contact information
Be sure to save these numbers in your phone in case you need them!
24/7 Hop Emergency Number
+1 (256) HOP-CARE (467-2273)
Remember:
We recommend purchasing an eSIM or SIM card through a local phone carrier in order to contact your loved ones abroad, and your new friends locally.
If you have an extra smart phone available, you could use this as your abroad phone with the new SIM card.
999 or 112 is the local emergency services number in the United Kingdom; the equivalent of 911 in the U.S.
budget & finances
Cost of Living Estimates: Designing a personal budget you’re comfortable with prior to your arrival will be helpful in guiding you on how you’d like to spend leisure and social time during the program. Please review the table below for our recommendations!
EXPENDITURES | ESTIMATE BUDGET RECOMMENDATION (USD) |
|---|---|
Food (groceries & eating out) | $1,500-$2,000 |
Personal leisure spending (social activities, etc.) | $1,500 |
Local transportation (Tube, buses, trains, rideshare) | $600 |
Travel (UK & nearby Europe trips, weekends) | $1,000 |
Please be reminded these are estimates that are heavily influenced by personal behavior. Depending on the funds available to you or your preferences, you could reasonably spend far less or much more on each expense. If your program includes a meal plan, you can expect to spend less on food and groceries.
Banking: Opening a bank account in the UK can be helpful, especially if you plan to work during your program or want to avoid international transaction and ATM fees. Many students choose to open a UK bank account after arrival. To do so, you’ll typically need your passport, proof of address in the UK, and sometimes a letter from your host university confirming your enrollment. Most major UK banks offer student-friendly accounts with low or no fees, and having a local account allows you to receive wages via direct deposit and make purchases without foreign transaction charges. Your Global Guide or on-site team can help point you toward common student banking options once you arrive.
Credit Card Usage: Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted throughout the UK, with American Express accepted in many (but not all) locations. Be aware that many U.S. credit card companies charge approximately 2–3% for foreign currency transactions. Fees vary by card, so you should confirm your specific card’s policy before departure. Be sure to notify your credit card company that you’ll be using your card internationally to avoid any fraud alerts or declined transactions.
Local Currency: The local currency in the United Kingdom is the British Pound Sterling (GBP, £). Prices displayed already include VAT (tax), so the price you see is the price you pay. Electronic payments are extremely common, and contactless payment is widely used across public transportation, shops, and restaurants. Cash is accepted but used less frequently, and we do not recommend carrying large amounts of cash for safety reasons. If you’d like to have a small amount of British pounds before departure, your local bank may be able to exchange currency in advance.
Exchanging Funds: You may exchange U.S. dollars for GBP at airport currency exchange counters upon arrival, but these often offer less favorable exchange rates. Many students find that transferring money electronically through services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) or withdrawing funds from an ATM offers better rates. Be mindful of any ATM or international withdrawal fees charged by your home bank.
Exchange rates fluctuate regularly, so check current rates before traveling to understand the value of your funds.
Emergency Funds: We advise having a plan in place for accessing money in the event of an emergency or unexpected disruption. You could bring a second credit card that is meant to be used only for this purpose, but otherwise locked away in your housing. Or, ensuring you have access to two separate bank accounts may be most preferred. However it may work best with your family and individual circumstances would be sufficient. Should you lose access to your funds and need emergency assistance, please contact your Hop Go-To or Global Guide.
Remember:
Prepare a personal spending budget you and your loved ones are comfortable with prior to arrival.
Consider the logistics of how you may prefer to spend money, via a local bank account, ATM withdrawals, credit cards, etc.
Have a secondary way of accessing funds in the event of an emergency.
Contact your local bank & credit card companies to tell them you’ll be traveling internationally for an extended period.
Be aware of international transaction fees on your credit cards, and any ATM withdrawals fees associated with making withdrawals or purchases.
packing essentials
Packing Recommendations: It is extremely easy to become overwhelmed when trying to decide what you need on the other side of the world. Almost every student will say in retrospect that they bought too much with them. It is advised to pack no more than what you can carry individually. It’s a long journey overseas and lugging around too much baggage can certainly make the trek more difficult and incur unwanted fees while flying. You are advised to pack as light as possible and for a variety of weather conditions. You’ll be down under for several months and the weather will vary during your time there. Most airlines have a maximum baggage allowance of two checked bags, one carry-on and one personal item and they will have weight limits on these items. Ensure you check the policy with your specific airline before packing.
Packing List: The following list is a suggested packing list for the semester:
Layered clothing for both warm and cool weather
Socks & underwear
Comfortable walking shoes
Swimwear
Sleepwear
Shower shoes
Accessories (hats, jewelry, etc.)
A couple outfits of formal wear
Sunscreen
Toiletaries
Medications
A weekend bag or smaller backpack for short term travel
Bath towel
Camera
Laptop & other personal electronics (Kindle, iPad, etc.)
Two or more electronic adapters
Journal
Remember:
Pack light, leave room for new clothes and souvenirs you’ll purchase.
Review your airlines’ baggage regulations.
Review our suggested packing list while you’re getting ready to depart.
well-come abroad
Host University Orientation: Your host university will hold a formal orientation before classes begin, lasting from just one day to one week. It is strongly encouraged to attend this orientation as it’s a great way to meet more students and you’ll receive useful information about your campus. This information could include helpful facts about academic enrollment assistance, health insurance enrollment, medical facilities, security, university-sponsored trips and activities, and more. You’ll also have the chance to survey what student clubs and organizations you may be interested in joining.
Arrival: Upon arrival into the European Union on January 23rd, 2026, you will be greeted by the local Hop orientation team at the airport in Munich (MUC). We will be eagerly awaiting your arrival in the arrivals area for international flights.
You can expect to spend 20-60 minutes in Customs after you deplane. Our team will be monitoring your flight and stay aware of any travel delays; you will not be left behind at the airport as a result of any in-air delays. Once all students have arrived and are accounted for, we will travel as a group to Mayrhofen via bus.
Remember:
The Hop Well-come Orientation will take place in Mayrhofen, Austria from January 23rd to January 26th, 2026.
The Hop team will be eagerly waiting to greet you upon your arrival to the Munich airport (MUC) on Friday, January 23rd, 2026.
We will commute as a group to Mayrhofen after all students have safely landed and been accounted for.
This orientation is designed to focus on mindfulness and provide you with tools to excel personally and academically during your semester.
You are strongly encouraged to attend your host university’s orientation and associated activities/sessions.
Well-come Abroad Itinerary
23 JAN 2026
Well-come to Europe!
Arrive in Munich & Group transfer to Mayrhofen
Check-in & Welcome Dinner
24 JAN 2026
Self-Care
Breakfast at hotel
Wellness session and guided meditation
Guided snowshoe hike
Group dinner
25 JAN 2026
Preparation & Empowerment
Breakfast at hotel
European clean eating workshop
Free spa afternoon
Group dinner
26 JAN 2026
Departure
Breakfast at hotel
Group transfer to Munich
Flight to London