Living abroad is definitely challenging. As for me, I need to adapt with many things. Different language. Different culture. Different food. Different currency. And other differences that can sum up this list, just name it! Regarding to public service, it is also one aspect that I found it different with Indonesia. Everything is online, and definitely it avoid complexities of bureaucracy. Most information can be obtained easily from computers or smartphones as long as they connect to the internet. I found it beneficial when I want to check bus or train schedule, to apply NHS HC1 scheme, to apply provisional license, to apply national insurance number, and so fort. This is one of the advantages of living in a developed country where everything is managed very well. However, information in the internet can be misleading even in the developed country like the UK. There is no advise better than being aware with the information you get from the internet.
Three months in the UK, I have been experienced several things. Here, where everything is believed to be expensive, that paradigm leads to several derivative situations. At least, I can recognized two situations.
The first situation is people, especially foreigner --not native--, tend to measure everything with money. My statement just now is nothing related to the materialistic nature. This is something simply related to the awareness of spending money. Here in the UK, several services for people are free. Not completely free as someone who wants to get the services, for example may have to make a phone call which is charged or to sent documents in the mail. All information about the services can be obtained from the internet. However, as I said before, not all the information can be helpful and sometimes detrimental. Newcomers from other countries prone to fall into such misleading information. Often, they pay something that should be free. Or even worst, they pay for something does not exist.
The second situation is the existence of people who exploit the ignorance of people to get some money. What they do is offering to help people on their needs. They create convincing websites or send email to people on behalf the government to pursue their aim.
Once, there was a phishing email targeting foreign students from India or North Africa. The email stated that there was a problem with their visa and they need to settled it immediately by paying some money or they would be deported. The email was very convincing. The word of 'deportation' was scary led some students acted hastily. Fortunately, then there was confirmation from UKBA (UK Border Agency) confirmed that information was fake.
Another time, a friend of mine applied for his provisional (driving) license. To get the form, it should be free. However, as he did not pay much attention to the website he browsed, he managed to pay 50 pounds for the form only, not the license. The website looks convincing and professional. Actually, they who run the website did not lie as the application was sent rightly, but paying such amount of money for something that could be free was just overrated. Moreover the website hid the information about minimum time of residence for foreigner to apply. A foreigner supposed to be living at least 185 days in the UK before he or she could apply for provisional license. Then, he --my friend-- inevitably should wait for some times even though the application has already on hand.
I also have faced more or less the same situation, but I managed it well. I wanted to apply a national insurance number (NINO). As I checked the internet two days ago, I found that to get the application form I would have to make a phone call to Jobcentre Plus application Line. That was genuine information, but unfortunately I could not be found as soon as possible as I browsed. Why was that so? The website was not placed at the top of searching list. Again, what I found first was agents' website offering to hand a NINO form application. Just for a form and the price was vary from 20 to 100 pounds. What a shame! When I made a phone call to apply my NINO, it takes 10 to 15 minutes of conversation and it was charged just for 15 pence per minute by my provider (note that 1 pound = 100 pence). And now, I am just waiting to receive my form several days ahead, just exactly the same time those agents stated on their websites.
Based on those experiences, someone who wants to stay in the UK or other countries should be aware to the things like this. So how can one weighs the information is genuine or misleading or even fake? Look at the domain! For public service in the UK, it is mostly associated with government domain (gov.uk). It can be ascertained that information within this domain is valid.
However, not all services related to government domain, for example NHS (National Health Service) that has its own domain (nhs.uk). It also may differ from other countries what services that are maintain by the government or by private parties due to massive privatization in the UK. In this case, someone needs pay more attention. But certainly, genuine website, even it is not from the government, will provide genuine information as well.
At last, I want to convey that the internet is undeniably helpful but being aware of using it is far more helpful, especially when in a new environment. It can save many aspects of life. Time. Energy. Emotion. And money.
Three months in the UK, I have been experienced several things. Here, where everything is believed to be expensive, that paradigm leads to several derivative situations. At least, I can recognized two situations.
The first situation is people, especially foreigner --not native--, tend to measure everything with money. My statement just now is nothing related to the materialistic nature. This is something simply related to the awareness of spending money. Here in the UK, several services for people are free. Not completely free as someone who wants to get the services, for example may have to make a phone call which is charged or to sent documents in the mail. All information about the services can be obtained from the internet. However, as I said before, not all the information can be helpful and sometimes detrimental. Newcomers from other countries prone to fall into such misleading information. Often, they pay something that should be free. Or even worst, they pay for something does not exist.
The second situation is the existence of people who exploit the ignorance of people to get some money. What they do is offering to help people on their needs. They create convincing websites or send email to people on behalf the government to pursue their aim.
Once, there was a phishing email targeting foreign students from India or North Africa. The email stated that there was a problem with their visa and they need to settled it immediately by paying some money or they would be deported. The email was very convincing. The word of 'deportation' was scary led some students acted hastily. Fortunately, then there was confirmation from UKBA (UK Border Agency) confirmed that information was fake.
Another time, a friend of mine applied for his provisional (driving) license. To get the form, it should be free. However, as he did not pay much attention to the website he browsed, he managed to pay 50 pounds for the form only, not the license. The website looks convincing and professional. Actually, they who run the website did not lie as the application was sent rightly, but paying such amount of money for something that could be free was just overrated. Moreover the website hid the information about minimum time of residence for foreigner to apply. A foreigner supposed to be living at least 185 days in the UK before he or she could apply for provisional license. Then, he --my friend-- inevitably should wait for some times even though the application has already on hand.
I also have faced more or less the same situation, but I managed it well. I wanted to apply a national insurance number (NINO). As I checked the internet two days ago, I found that to get the application form I would have to make a phone call to Jobcentre Plus application Line. That was genuine information, but unfortunately I could not be found as soon as possible as I browsed. Why was that so? The website was not placed at the top of searching list. Again, what I found first was agents' website offering to hand a NINO form application. Just for a form and the price was vary from 20 to 100 pounds. What a shame! When I made a phone call to apply my NINO, it takes 10 to 15 minutes of conversation and it was charged just for 15 pence per minute by my provider (note that 1 pound = 100 pence). And now, I am just waiting to receive my form several days ahead, just exactly the same time those agents stated on their websites.
Based on those experiences, someone who wants to stay in the UK or other countries should be aware to the things like this. So how can one weighs the information is genuine or misleading or even fake? Look at the domain! For public service in the UK, it is mostly associated with government domain (gov.uk). It can be ascertained that information within this domain is valid.
However, not all services related to government domain, for example NHS (National Health Service) that has its own domain (nhs.uk). It also may differ from other countries what services that are maintain by the government or by private parties due to massive privatization in the UK. In this case, someone needs pay more attention. But certainly, genuine website, even it is not from the government, will provide genuine information as well.
At last, I want to convey that the internet is undeniably helpful but being aware of using it is far more helpful, especially when in a new environment. It can save many aspects of life. Time. Energy. Emotion. And money.
3 comments:
Welcome to the UK.. Wish you all the best..
Wah...ntr bisa dibikin panduan living in UK buat para ekspat. Heheheh.. smangat haaam..
@ anonymous: thank you ^_^
@ Rozi: boleh, Zi, hehehe... :)
Post a Comment