Making the decision to move to another country to study is not easy. It can be stressful and isolating, and culture shock can be difficult to manage. However, there are lots of opportunities to enjoy your time studying in the UK.
Here are 4 top tips to help you overcome culture shock and make sure you make the most out of your time spent studying in the UK.
1. Be open-minded
When you’re moving to a new country, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and to close yourself off. However, it’s important to try and immerse yourself in the new culture as much as you’re able. Be open-minded and try new things.
By doing this, you can change culture shock from an isolating experiencing into an opportunity to learn and experience new things. Coupled with your studies, you’ll find that being open-minded allows you to gain lots of knowledge about the new culture that you’re surrounded by. This makes it even easier for you to enjoy your time in the UK!
2. Make as many friends as possible
University can be an isolating and lonely time, especially if you’ve moved to a different country. To counter this, you should try and make as many friends as you can. Luckily, university is full of opportunities for you to do just this. Make an effort to bond with your flatmates, and you can join societies or sports clubs to meet new people.
At some universities, those who have come to study from other countries are placed in halls together. This can be a good thing, as you know that those around you are in the same boat as you. However, you should also try and find some home students to be friends with, as it can be very helpful to have people to ask questions.
3. Make the most of UK culture
Whatever UK university you’re at, you’ll find a lively mix of live music, pubs, societies and political events to enjoy. One of the best ways to quickly acclimatise to the area in which you’re studying is to go out and enjoy the culture that you’re surrounded by.
Universities are great hubs to find the kind of local events that you like. Many universities will put on their own live music or political events, but even if your university doesn’t have their own, you’ll find they link up with lots of local organisations – after all, universities want their students to enjoy their studies!
4. Embrace your own culture
While it’s important for you to enjoy the new culture that you’re studying in, it’s equally important that you try not to lose sight of your own culture. You’ll be able to decorate your space at university whichever way you like, so take the opportunity to decorate in a familiar style.
UK universities are very multicultural spaces. You’ll often find societies or faith organisations dedicated to your home culture, and these can be great ways to feel comfortable. However you choose to embrace your own culture, it’s a great way to enjoy your time studying in the UK without losing track of where you came from.
If you’re thinking about studying in the UK, Centigrade is a great way to find ideal university courses for you. It’s a quick and easy way to research university courses that are matched with your interests.