How to survive the Across the Pond Training Trip

(Some tips from past survivors)

  • Read up on the university/universities before we visit! Take that as an opportunity to come up with questions for the representatives we meet while on the road. 
  • Pack light and use a suitcase with wheels! You will be dragging your case around, up and down staircases at train stations etc.
  • Remember to bring your name badge and business cards and have them handy for the visits.
  • Think of questions for the universities in advance and if you have been having any issues, have your notes at the ready. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – it shows your interest and engagement! (Cheat sheet)
  • Don’t limit your questions to the formal meetings. Ask the tour-guide about what it’s like to be a student there (if it’s a student-led tour) and try and find out what it’s like to live in this place.
  • Remember to bring a notepad for taking notes during the visit. You will be asked to submit a report from the visit. 
  • In addition to a report from the visit - all staff need to submit an evaluation to Mark after each university visit. 
  • Bring a camera with you to take pictures of the campus to jog your memory. Please share your photos with the team after the trip.
  • Wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be walking a lot on these visits (dress professionally though! No trainers/sneakers, flipflops etc.)
  • Bring a water bottle and some snacks for the car/train. Stay hydrated and well-fed. If you have any allergies, please make sure to always have something to eat in your bag just in case. Please alert your line manager to your allergies before the trip so we can notify the universities. The majority of them will gladly make sure to cater to your needs. 
  • You may want to take a multi-vitamin or similar while on the tour.  Also consider bringing antibacterial hand gel – remember you’ll be shaking a lot of hands!
  • Try to download your emails first thing in the morning so that you can catch-up on train journeys wherever possible.
  • Make sure your out-of-office message is set up if your line manager instructs you to do this.
  • Try to stay caught up on work, but remember to get a good night’s sleep as the visits can be tiring! The 48 hour deadline also applies when on the road. 
  • Be punctual! The trip has been carefully planned and many of the timings are tight. We will be leaving on time with or without you!
  • Keep the team’s numbers and numbers for the universities/our contacts in your mobile in case you need to reach them in an emergency.
  • Don’t forget your umbrella! Just about every campus visit begins with “the weather was beautiful here yesterday…”
  • Bring extra cash for taxi rides or similar.
  • Have a separate folder for all your receipts
  • Write down all the hotel addresses
  • Make sure a colleague always knows where and when you are travelling
  • Have an extra credit card available in case the Across the Pond card is not working
  • Remember to pack an adapter
  • Always keep a name tag with contact details on your suitcase. Airlines can lose it or another passenger can take your suitcase by mistake
  • SMILE and enjoy the trip! Remember the universities have been looking forward to us coming and have invested a lot of money in us and this trip – so try to give them worthwhile! 

HAVE FUN AND LEARN A LOT! 
Remember this is a training trip - so this is an opportunity for you to learn a lot and advance as an adviser!

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