Traveling to the UK for PLAB2- FAQs

Most of the IMGs appearing for PLAB2 travel to the UK for the first time and while everyone has appeared in OSCE like scenarios during medical school(college), the idea of appearing in one in a foreign land can be daunting. The encouraging fact is that most IMGs do travel alone and manage pretty well.

Here are a few FAQs answered to arm you with all the knowledge you need to do so yourself:

1. Where should I stay?

If you are joining an academy for preparation, it is advisable to first check out the accommodation being offered by the academy itself

• It will be closer to the academy, cutting on commute time and money
• You will have company and thus practice partners
• It is easier to get reviews from ex-students and make an informed choice

If there is a reason it doesn’t work for you, there are other options like Spare Room, Gumtree, Rightmove where you can find apartments or rooms on rent. You can even check out Airbnb if your stay isn’t long.

2. What should I pack?

 Before answering this, it is important to point out two things:

• You’re on a budget but there are ample budget-friendly stores in the UK for basic necessities
• You have a luggage limit imposed by the airlines and there really isn’t anything worth the extra luggage cost to carry from your home country

Keeping the two things in mind, here’s what you may bring along:

• Clothes-but don’t bring them in excess, especially warm clothing which can take a lot of space- check weather of the time you are traveling and pack accordingly- a jacket or two are enough and if needed, you can get more here.

• Money– truly depends on your budget and can vary from person to person. Do remember to factor in your daily expenses, rent, and sight seeing(if you are planning on it). You can choose to carry forex/ international debit or credit cards as well.

• Stationery– Just carry a couple of pens and a notebook so you don’t have to rush to a store when you reach. The rest you can buy from Poundland, Wilko or any store really.

• Food– Carry food items only if you have a fondness for a particular food item or tea/coffee brand that you can’t do without. Superstores are full of affordable food choices.

• Documents– the documents you may need to carry besides your passport that may be asked at the airport/immigration are:

1. PLAB2 test booking
2. Accommodation letter
3. Receipt for the cash you are carrying

• Shoes– The number to carry is up to you but definitely do have a pair of very comfortable walking shoes with you as you’ll need to walk a significant distance everyday.

3. Do I need international roaming on my phone?

It is very easy to get a mobile connection that gives you subsidized calling to a particular country/region but whatsapp and internet calls are the cheapest way nowadays so a prepaid connection with the internet is the better choice. There are lots of options to choose from and you don’t really need to burn a hole in your pocket with international roaming on your home country number unless you expect important calls that you can’t afford to miss.

4. What is the best way to commute?

Public transport is hands down the best way to commute in the UK. The tube(underground train network) and buses are the most affordable and often the quickest ways to travel from one place to another. There are taxi services(including London’s iconic black cabs) and Ubers as well but they may prove more expensive. The taxis are a good option when you fly in and have too much luggage to load/unload on your own at tube stations.

You don’t need to worry about cash/card using public transport- all you need is an oyster card- a prepaid card that can be bought and recharged at any tube station so get yours at the first tube station you arrive at.

5. Is it safe to travel alone in the UK?

Safety is always an important concern when you’re traveling alone to a new country, especially if you are a woman. Rest assured that the UK is a safe place for you to travel alone but you still must apply reasonable discretion that any traveler should- being aware of surroundings, not carrying too much cash around and being street smart.

Wishing you a lovely experience in the UK!