Essential Tips for Students Moving to the UK

Moving to the UK can be very hard, especially if you’re not sure what to expect. Often times, as international students, we are often told how amazing the UK is and all the opportunities it will bring. Whilst England certainly opens many doors for young students, it can be daunting to leave your home and family behind. Here are a few tips from my perspective as an international student from the Caribbean….

Firstly, dress warm! I know we all anticipate for the weather to be cold and rainy, but do you know how to properly dress for it? It may sound silly but I grew up in 30C degree weather, there was no need for me to wear two pairs of socks or thermal leggings. When I initially came to England, I thought a nice pair of jeans pants and a coat atop my very thin blouse would be enough…it was not!

One of your first stops upon arriving in the UK, should be Primark or B&M. Primark has some affordable essentials that will surely become part of your everyday wardrobe. You’ll want to start with thermal leggings, which go for around £10 per pair. Personally, I wear a pair everyday under all my outfits. Investing in 2-3 pairs will be one of the best things you can do! When the weather is not only absolutely freezing, but windy as well, you’ll be thanking the clothing gods for thermal leggings. Another great base layer is a thermal top, which you can also purchase from Primark. I wear a top everyday under my sweaters and fleeces and they keep me toasty warm even in -5C degree weather.

Layering is the key to staying warm, on top your thermals, you’ll want to purchase thick sweaters. I prefer to wear sweaters and fleeces whereas others like big coats; it all depends on the type of person you are. Coats are handy when it rains, especially when it’s too windy for an umbrella. It’s worth figuring out what kind of warm clothing you like to wear.

Other small accessories that have been a life saver for me are gloves, scarves and ear muffs. My hands and ears get cold very easily, to a point where it’s quite painful. Having a good pair of gloves and earmuffs are perfect during the winter months. A scarf will keep the back of your neck warm, which holds and regulates much of your body heat.

It can be overwhelming to have to purchase an entirely new wardrobe if you’re coming from a hot country, but I promise the investment is worth it.

Speaking of cold weather, England does in fact have mould! It sounds crazy, but leaving damp clothing in your room, not opening windows or ventilating your room can and will cause mould! Mini humidifiers are essential to keep the damp out your living space. If you see mould in your room, let your landlord know! 

Now let’s talk about food shopping. Fruits and bread go off pretty quickly in England, something that I did not know when I moved here. I would buy a month worth of food in one shop, however, within just a week, much to my dismay, the bread and fruits had begun to grow mould. Weekly shops are probably the best plan of action. I like to spend roughly £30/£40 on a shop each week, buying a few snacks, different meats for meal prep and then using cheap and long-lasting starches such as potato, rice and pasta.

The food in England is likely very different to your home country. I had to adjust my cooking ever so slightly in order to actually like the food that I made. I personally like a lot of seasoning and spice, so I typically go to Anna’s Supermarket and Tropical Supermarket. Anna’s is an international store that sells vegetables from around the world as well as spices, butcher meats, sweets and drinks. Tropical supermarket is an Afro-Caribbean store that sells oxtail, vegetables, braiding hair, and even raw shea butter. Otherwise, stores such as Asda, Lidl, Morrisons and Aldi are your best friends here.

Lastly, being homesick. Moving to a new country for university is so exciting! I have truly loved my time here thus far, but the reality of being so far away from home will hit you. Many domestic students will go home by the second week of university. They’ll be getting homecooked meals, free laundry and family love. But unfortunately, it’s not as easy for us. You may experience emotions such as jealousy when your British friends go home, or even resentment. I want you to know you are not the only one who feels that way. When you don’t actively see people who look, think or talk like you, it can cause you to feel very isolated. But I promise your people are around! You just need to give it some time and look. I have found such a loving community of international Caribbean students from small Islands, like myself, and they have been a rock for me. It’s important to make friends from all around the world and experience different cultures, but I believe it’s just as important to have people who share similar experiences as you. Whilst it can be difficult being so far away, and sometimes family emergencies happen, having a support system in place here is vital to keep you going.

Being an international student is not easy! It comes with pressures of success from your family back home, financial issues, language barriers, and cultural differences. But, with a little bit of time and support, you will find yourself making a home away from home for yourself here and you’ll come to realise that this new experience in life is just the start to a future of greatness.