Two questions for Londoners or residents of England.

[Ravi Warrier]

1. My cousin suggested that I buy my warm clothes there in London itself (while I was to stay with her), since they are built to suit the weather. We have warm clothes in India, but she stated that they are made to fight the relatively much less colder temperatures than that of UK. She was supposed to take me shopping for those clothes, until her hubby got promoted and sent to Singapore (taking the family along). So, are there any places that you would know that I can pick up good jackets, sweaters or overcoats in London or in Berko? And what kind of warm clothes should I get? 

I am carrying basic sweaters, thermal innerwears and a jacket (not so cold resistant) to fight off 1-2 nights of cold. My route is Heathrow - Euston - Berko. Any shops/markets in either of these places would be good.

2. About cell phones and sims: I have an iPhone that I don't want to give up. So would you suggest that I carry it and then buy a sim-only connection, or should I go for the package deal and use some crappy phone? Which is more economical?

Ravi
--
http://i.am/raviwarrier
http://all.at/ashridge

[Elizabeth Lawren Romero]

Hello Ravi (and group)!

 

I am not in that area and cannot tell you of stores, but as for me, if I am able,  I hope to go with at least most of my warm clothes because of the exchange rate.  When I studied in Scotland, I knew it would be cold, but not that cold.  It was painful.  Of course, I'm used to a desert climate, and Edinburgh is farther north with lots of wind and ice.  I hope some Londoners respond to your question while we can find some sales!  :) 

 

To address the other posted topic:  accommodations.  I'm at the point of weighing my options concerning next year.  I have had daily good news and bad news concerning my options.  In order for me to receive any funding, the school has to acquire Title IV status with the US Department of Education.  Ashridge had set up partnerships to assist US citizens with funding, but those foundations are not lending this year due to the economic recession (Paras will not lend to US citizens this year).  Believe me, I have talked to advisors all over the world on trying to get funding outside of Title IV, but there are no other viable options.  Ashridge has gone the distance for me (and future students from the US) by completing a very lengthy and detailed application for Title IV status.  They submitted their application a week ago.  A month is the average turnaround time to receive Title IV status, 2 days for a loan to be processed, and then 15 days for a visa.  Considering that we are already heading towards the end of November, I have been investigating a Plan B if I have to wait a year. 

 

Of course, I really do not want to wait.  Ashridge has been incredibly supportive of me, as you all know firsthand, and there is no other school I would rather attend.  Besides, just in emails, I feel I have a group of people I could really get along with.  :)

 

If I feel I can get everything done in time, after talking more with the British Embassy in Denver, Ashridge, and my loan specialist, I will post immediately.  I hope to have a viable timeline confirmed before the Thanksgiving holiday begins on Thursday.  :) 

Thank you all and have a great week!

 

Lawren

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[Jasleen]

Having seen temperatures of upto -30 degrees Celsius, I don't think I
should have a problem with warm clothing. So, I'm not worried about
that.

But (at the risk of sounding stupid), I want to know what the school's
expectations are in terms of how we dress up for class. I like
dressing up totally casual ... I only own one business suit ... which
I wore 2 or 3 years ago for an interview. Since everyone at work is
laid back, I've been pretty casual there too. I know I will need some
business suits for events, presentations, etc. But, are we to dress
up in business suits for class everyday??

I know most of the MBA programs expect their students to dress up
professionally ... so even asking this question is stupid ... but I
thought I'd ask anyway.

- Jas

[Ravi Warrier]

At the risk of catching pneumonia (hope I got the spelling right), I will only come to school in in shorts and light t-shirts. :) And hopefully, you guys will come to see me everyday in the hospital for the remainder of the program. :)

That's a good question J. Hope they don't have stupid rules of wearing ties and formals to school (We don't need no education!). But from whatever I have read/seen from previous students, I don't think they have such rules. Perhaps "dress decently" might be the only thing.

Will wait for Rebecca to reply on this.

Ravi
--
http://i.am/raviwarrier
http://all.at/ashridge

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[pradeep nagaraj]

Hey All,

During a conversation with rebecca, she had mentioned to me that the
campus wear at Ashridge is smart casuals. Only for their occasional
dinners, where a guest or speaker is invited, they prefer us in
Formals/Suits.

Jasleen, I feel one more suit should get in to your bag, before you
start for Berko... Ravi, I shall join you in hospital too as my
dressing sense is awefull :-)

-Pradeep

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Pradeep Nagaraj,
+919886094550

www.salsabangalore.com/instructors.html
http://www.linkedin.com/in/pradeepnr

[Ravi Warrier]

I just they have a good broadband internet service at the hospital. If not ogling at the nurses, at least porn should be easy to surf for. :)

Oh, and a bar counter with good cognacs and brandys. To beat the cold, you know... medicinal purpose only! :)

If we are done with the crappy talks, thanks for the update PN. Will make sure I atleast get one pair of smart casuals to wear every Monday.

Ravi
--
http://i.am/raviwarrier
http://all.at/ashridge