I'm sorry this reply has taken so long; ironically, my preparations for returning to uni in Wales have rather got in the way of everything else in the last few weeks.
Although transport in, to and around Wales is difficult, it's only really a problem if you're the kind of person who needs to be places -now- as opposed to being a rather more relaxed individual, who is happy to watch the hills and the coastline and the trees as they go by. If you're able to use a car, even better; you'll have a much greater freedom and range of movement.
You asked about the Student Union too. If you go to Newcastle, you'll be a part of the National Union of Students (NUS). If you were to study in Wales, you would be a part of the National Union of Students in Wales (NUS Wales). There's very little difference between the two, except that NUS Wales has language policies and union positions (namely that of the Welsh Affairs Officer) that are absent from English universities. They also run campaigns that are slightly different to those of the English universities.
As I've already mentioned, Lampeter is a bit special in that is one of (in fact, I think it might be -the-) smallest uni in the UK, with only 750 students on campus. As such, out union is totally dissimilar to pretty much every other Union out there. So rather than bore you with union policy in the backwaters, I'll give you a very brief, general overview of typical union structure in the UK (it's still boring, but it'll be more relevant to you at least).
Generally, you have three Sabbatical officers: the President, who is responsible for the management of the Student Union Exec and the general day-to-day running of the Union; the ENTs Officer who is responsible for organising and publicising events (parties etc.) that take place through or at the Union and the Welfare Officer, who is there to help students access financial, medical, emotional and pretty much any other kind of aid you can imagine. The Sabbatical officers are full-time, and are paid as their jobs require a full day's work to be done properly.
They are supported by an Executive Committee of unpaid students, who execute their duties at the same time as they are completing their course. On a typical exec, you would expect to find a Clubs Societies and Associations (CSA) Office, an Athletic Union (AU) Officer, a Women's Officer, an LGB Officer, a Student's With Disabilities (SWD) Officer, an Environment and Commerical Services (ECSO) Officer, an Raising and Giving (RAG) Officer and finally and probably of most relevance to you, the International Students Officer (ISO). The responsibilities of the Exec vary a little from Uni to Uni, but if you want to more about their typical roles, you should take a look at the NUS website, www.nusonline.co.uk.
It's a lot to take in, but I would really encourage you to become familiar with the Stiudent's Union where ever you study; it really helps you become familiar with your rights as a student and can be fantastic support network. Again, I feel I've rambled rather a lot more than advisable, but I do hope this has been useful in some way.
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Re: Wales and Newcastle
Date: 2007-09-18 03:45 pm (UTC)From:Although transport in, to and around Wales is difficult, it's only really a problem if you're the kind of person who needs to be places -now- as opposed to being a rather more relaxed individual, who is happy to watch the hills and the coastline and the trees as they go by. If you're able to use a car, even better; you'll have a much greater freedom and range of movement.
You asked about the Student Union too. If you go to Newcastle, you'll be a part of the National Union of Students (NUS). If you were to study in Wales, you would be a part of the National Union of Students in Wales (NUS Wales). There's very little difference between the two, except that NUS Wales has language policies and union positions (namely that of the Welsh Affairs Officer) that are absent from English universities. They also run campaigns that are slightly different to those of the English universities.
As I've already mentioned, Lampeter is a bit special in that is one of (in fact, I think it might be -the-) smallest uni in the UK, with only 750 students on campus. As such, out union is totally dissimilar to pretty much every other Union out there. So rather than bore you with union policy in the backwaters, I'll give you a very brief, general overview of typical union structure in the UK (it's still boring, but it'll be more relevant to you at least).
Generally, you have three Sabbatical officers: the President, who is responsible for the management of the Student Union Exec and the general day-to-day running of the Union; the ENTs Officer who is responsible for organising and publicising events (parties etc.) that take place through or at the Union and the Welfare Officer, who is there to help students access financial, medical, emotional and pretty much any other kind of aid you can imagine. The Sabbatical officers are full-time, and are paid as their jobs require a full day's work to be done properly.
They are supported by an Executive Committee of unpaid students, who execute their duties at the same time as they are completing their course. On a typical exec, you would expect to find a Clubs Societies and Associations (CSA) Office, an Athletic Union (AU) Officer, a Women's Officer, an LGB Officer, a Student's With Disabilities (SWD) Officer, an Environment and Commerical Services (ECSO) Officer, an Raising and Giving (RAG) Officer and finally and probably of most relevance to you, the International Students Officer (ISO). The responsibilities of the Exec vary a little from Uni to Uni, but if you want to more about their typical roles, you should take a look at the NUS website, www.nusonline.co.uk.
It's a lot to take in, but I would really encourage you to become familiar with the Stiudent's Union where ever you study; it really helps you become familiar with your rights as a student and can be fantastic support network. Again, I feel I've rambled rather a lot more than advisable, but I do hope this has been useful in some way.