You’re all fresh and eager and off the plane, and you’re more than slightly lost. Not to fear! UK unis are usually great at welcoming international students (and their wallets) so don’t be too scared.
But if you’re still feeling a bit wayward and surrounded by strange, ale-swigging, tea-drinking, loud-talking people, keep the following important things to know.
1. Scout around for your phone account
Your phone is the main thing that will be sticking with you for the whole of your university experience so it really pays to spend a bit of time working out what the best deal is before taking plunge.
For your phone I’d recommend a cheap phone company like GiffGaff rather than taking out a contract because it works out cheaper in the long run. You can search deals online but’s its also recommended to go to your high street and see what deals the providers are doing.
If you do want a phone on contract, these are easier to get once you have a UK bank account.
2. Sort out a bank account BEFORE you get to uni
Little international student, you think you can go into a UK bank and walk out with an account? Oh you sweet trusting thing! Call them up beforehand and sort out all the papers you need and those that they will only remember to ask you for once you get there.
That way when a few weeks down the line you actually open your account, you’re set. If you’re not sure which bank to go for, which is more than understandable, see 1/, then phone the main high street banks (Lloyds, Barclays, HSBC, Natwest) and see what they’d need from you.
3. Take advantage of student deals but don’t sign up to anything
To marketers international students are a golden opportunity: they’re new fresh commercial meat. At fresher’s fair and elsewhere there will be tons of offers and these can be great, but avoid signing up for anything that you can’t easily back out of: half the time these seemingly great deals can be duds designed to lure in the unaware. Free pens are always a good thing though.
4. Avoid the being trapped with what your familiar with…
It’s a shame but international students can get a reputation for sticking together: partly because national students also stick together; partly because it’s human to be drawn to what you know, especially when you’re away from home.
So be careful, there is a danger of being stuck with people from the same country as you. I’ve mentioned this in another post (Make the most out of freshers) but it’s really important to stay out of your comfort zone during the first few weeks to meet and many and as diverse a crowd as possible.
5. But join a society that reminds you of home
Even so, there will be societies at your uni that you can join to help with homesickness and cultural nostalgia. It’s also a good way to get to make friends and enjoy better cuisine than you will if you stick with the English life style.
6. Pots, pans & spices DO NOT NEED TO BE PERSONALLY IMPORTED!
The UK has cutlery and kitchen utensils. It even has supermarkets. There is no need to pack basic essentials that can be bought in the UK. Too many international students bring their own rice cooker/spice rack when they can get one down the street.
7. Explore your city and your area – Walk walk walk
Best way to feel at home in your new city is to know it well and the best way to know a place is to walk in it. Go for a stroll and get a feel for where you are, discover the hidden corners and side streets. This also means you’ll be the cool one who knows the way home after a night out.
8. Try and see as much of the country and of the continent as you can.
Especially true if you’re not from the EU going to uni in the UK is a great travelling opportunity. Flights are cheap if you book ahead, as is the Eurostar, and you can even take a ferry. For travelling around the UK there are railcards you can get if you’re under 25 that can make rail travel cheap and coach fares can be only a few pounds with NationalExpress and Megabus.
9. Immerse yourself in British culture and a lot of it is the comedy
Even if it may make you cringe, a lot of British culture is strange. Most of it in fact. But there are some gems in there and it’s worth your time getting to know it. Get a Brit to introduce you to some, and start with the comedy: Mock the Week, Blackadder and Monty Python are a good starting point. Or just watch lots and lots of Dr Who.
10. You’re in at the deep end; don’t drown.
Things will be different but there’s no need to try them all at once and to do whatever to fit in. This applies especially to alcohol. There are plenty of ways to have fun – take your time and find what works for you.