A Comprehensive Guide for New International Students in the UK

The life of an international student changes a lot when they move to the energetic cities in the United Kingdom. This transition takes you through different stages and follows a very predictable pattern.

Plus, you might be wondering what will be there? Will I be able to cope up with the surroundings?, What can I expect from the locals? What kind of student accommodation will be best? Or How will I handle culture shock? And this list goes on and on.

If you are on the brink of moving to the UK, you will feel a lot of emotions together. Starting from excitement to anxiety, your mind will start swirling with thoughts you never thought of. Yes, this all looks very challenging but it is the most profound experience a student can experience. And, to be honest, life is a lot different when you move to a new country, especially in the UK. But don’t you worry! We know you will face culture shock like any other challenge and tackle it well. To make it easier for you, we have pen down everything you should know about culture shock. Let’s find out what’s available in our treasure!

What is Culture Shock?

Students, especially international students, would know the term culture shock very well. But if you don’t, let us break it down for you. Cultural shock is an emotional and psychological response to an unfamiliar environment which is quite common among international students. This culture shock often leads to different feelings of anxiety, overwhelmedness, frustration and homesickness.

Different Stages of Culture Shock

Culture Shock often comes in a predictable pattern and stages. The stages of culture shock include:

•  Honeymoon Phase: When you move to the UK, the main feeling you have is excitement. This can be settling in student housing or exploring new places. Most of the time, excitement overshadows the challenges as everything feels new and adventurous.
•  Frustration Phase: As the excitement fades, international students now witness different changes in the culture, lifestyle, food and more. This leads to frustration, homesickness and other kinds of feelings.
•  Adjustment Phase: Now, once you get used to your daily routine from student accommodation to college, you get settled in. This happens when you form friendships, understand locals, explore new food and more.
•  Adaptation Phase: Finally, once you are fully aware of everything about the college, transportation, student apartments and overall city, you adapt. You start feeling homely and can easily navigate the new environment.

The whole concept of culture shock is temporary. Students often think of this as a big challenge to tackle but when you get used to it, you will understand everything was temporary.

Basic Symptoms of Culture Shock

Well, when you find yourself in whole new surroundings, mental health does take some changes. It is normal to feel things you haven’t felt earlier. Some of the most common symptoms of culture shock every international student goes through are:

•  Anxiety
•  Fatigue
•  Depression
•  Homesickness
•  Loneliness
•  Hyperirritability
•  Self-doubt
•  Negative feelings towards the home country and people sometimes.

Common Differences of Cultural Shock

•  Lifestyle Differences: The newfound independence can be overwhelming in a new place. International students might have to do everyday tasks by themselves. Hence, moving to a new country means a complete lifestyle change.
•  Academics: Every country has a different education system including courses, curriculum, grading method, exams and more. As a result, adjusting and understanding the new pattern can take time.
•  Student Housing: The way students live here is not that different but better. You will find a wide range of both long-term and short-term student accommodation with many amenities & facilities.
•  Language: If you are someone who is not that great in the English language, adapting to new surroundings will take more time. To tackle nuances of daily tasks, you should be able to interact with locals.

How to Deal with Culture Shock?

International students know everything is different here. The way students live in student rooms, food, social norms, nightlife and more, nothing is the same. Hence, adapting to a new culture, environment, lifestyle, etc can take some time.

For some, it is easy to adapt while some take time. Here are some top ways to deal with culture shock while living in the UK. Let’s explore.

• Acknowledge Your Feelings: Accepting and acknowledging your feelings is the first step in handling the culture shock. It takes a toll on your mental health. So, give yourself some time to adjust.
• Explore the Local Culture: To make it easy for international students, colleges and student accommodation often host different events. These events can be very helpful for meeting new people, understanding the new culture and more.
• Make a Routine: Following a proper routine like attending classes, going to the gym, etc is the most worked tool. This simply helps in curating a sense of normalcy to adjust well in a new space.
• Connect with your Family and Friends: Being connected with your family and friends back home can help you when you feel a lot. They can be a good source of motivation to deal with culture shock.
• Be Social: Go out from your student housing and explore new restaurants, places, landmarks and more.
• Pursue your Hobbies: The time is here to explore all your hobbies while you live away from your house. Join things like clubs, workshops, seminars, etc which interests you.

The new college, new friends, new student accommodation and new lifestyle altogether can take a big toll on you. But dealing with culture shock requires patience, self-compassion and a unique approach. So, take a deep breath and engage yourself in a new environment to create endless memories in the UK!