20th July 2018
Advice For International Students
Settling In As An International Student
For many of you this may be your first time living away from home in an unfamiliar country.
The first few weeks- When you arrive in the UK you'll find lots of support to help you settle in. Most UK schools, colleges and universities hold a welcome event for international students, with a speech by a member of staff and a meal or party. This is a great way to get to know other people who – like you – are new to the UK.
This video is full of useful tips for students comming from abroad to study in the UK.
After ensuring that your travel arrangements were covered by an international students travel insurance, once you are settled in the UK, you should consider contents and personal possessions insurance, for your student accommodation whilst you are here.
At the beginning of term, most universities hold a Fresher’s Week to welcome new students. Expect lots of parties and events. At the Fresher’s Fair, all the sport, art and social groups at your campus look for new members. You can find out what's on and join any that interest you.
Practical tasks- As well as the social activities above, there are lots of practical matters you need to attend to when you first arrive, such as registering with the police (if required), and registering with a doctor.
Start feeling at home- Moving to a new country can be the adventure of a lifetime – a chance to meet new friends, explore new landscapes and experience a whole new culture, it can be tough too. You might miss your family and friends back home or feel a sense of ‘culture shock’. Don’t worry. Feelings like this are perfectly normal, and there is a lot you can do to help yourself by:
- Making new friends.
- Joining international society.
- Joining a sports team/ sports club.
Getting advice from other students- Even before you arrive in the UK, you can find out what other students and alumni experienced. There is plenty of advice and encouragement from international student’s websites/blogs.