Finally!

I finally have concrete dates for leaving Michigan as a Marshall Scholar.  Orientation starts in DC September 16, 2012.

For those of you who wish to be particularly nosy(/concerned/interested):

PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING AND RECEPTION AT BRITISH EMBASSY, WASHINGTON DC

Arrangements will be made for the new Scholars to attend a pre-departure briefing at the British Embassy in Washington DC on 16/17/18 September 2012, and it is hoped that The British Ambassador will be available to host a Reception for the Scholars during that period.  Flight tickets will be handed out in Washington and Scholars will travel to London as a group following the pre-departure briefing and Reception.  Further details will be sent out in due course by the British Council at the Embassy.

TRAVEL TO THE UNITED KINGDOM

Arrangements for the Scholars’ travel from the United States to the UK will be made on behalf of the Marshall Commission by the British Embassy and reservations will be made for the 2012 Scholars to fly to London from Washington DC as a group, leaving on the evening of Tuesday 18 September 2012, arriving in London on 19 September 2012.

The Scholars will be met at the airport in London by the Marshall Commission’s staff and will stay in a London hotel for two nights to enable them to attend certain functions which have been arranged for their reception before proceeding to their respective universities.  Details of this programme will be sent out at a later date.

The Commission expects all to travel from Washington DC to London as a group unless approval is given for alternative arrangements. The British Embassy will be in touch with you shortly, if they have not already contacted you, to discuss arrangements for your travel from your place of residence to Washington DC.  In due course information about this, and about other arrangements necessary before departure from the United States, will be sent out by the British Embassy.  If they do not already hold one, Scholars should ensure that they have a valid US passport.

BAGGAGE ARRANGEMENTS AND INSURANCE

Further detailed information on baggage arrangements have been sent out separately.

Transportation of baggage within the United States is the Scholars’ own responsibility, as is the cost of any insurance coverage.  The Commission stresses the importance of taking out adequate personal and baggage insurance while in transit from home in the United States to destination in the United Kingdom; Arrangements for the latter can be made through SOS International, the Commission's agents in New Jersey (see below).  Coverage costs must be paid by the Scholars/Fellows before departure and the Commission will not at any time be involved in any way with Scholars’/Fellows’ insurance. The Commission advises Scholars/Fellows to pack baggage carefully in order to provide maximum protection for your possessions while in transit. Particular instructions for packing belongings is included in the shipping information.

Accompanied baggage. The free allowance on transatlantic flights is one piece of checked baggage, weighing up to 50 lbs (23 kg); when added together, the maximum dimensions (length + width + depth) of any piece of checked baggage must not exceed 35.5 x 29.5 x 16 inches.

In addition, one piece of cabin luggage is allowed, weighing up to 13lbs (6kg); the dimensions of hand baggage must not exceed 9 x 14 x 22 inches (length x width x breadth). You should however check with the particular airline before flying as weight allowances and dimensions can vary. Excess baggage charges will be the responsibility of the individual. As these are high, Scholars are strongly advised to make every effort to keep within the free allowance and to make use of the container service for their heavy baggage (see below). Scholars wishing to bring with them any electrical equipment (e.g. personal computer) are advised to check the security regulations with the appropriate airline nearer the time, since these may be subject to change.

Unaccompanied baggage.  The Commission will pay for up to 250 lbs of a Scholar’s/Fellow’s unaccompanied baggage sent by container ship from New Jersey in accordance with the agreements made by it for that purpose.  The weight of the consignment will be determined by actual gross weight or 12 lbs per cu. ft., whichever is the greater.  Arrangements have been made with Agility Logistics Limited in London and SOS International in New Jersey, for the Marshall Scholars’/Fellows’ baggage to be shipped by container as one consignment. 

Detailed information on the group shipping facility has already been sent out by email.

If a Scholar/Fellow prefers to make independent arrangements for transportation of baggage to Britain, this will be in order, but the Commission will not then be involved in any way; repayment of the costs will be arranged on arrival in the UK, on presentation of receipts, and will not exceed the group rate agreed with SOS International.

The final date for baggage to arrive in NJ will be Friday 17 August 2012.