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3 Key Tips for International Students Studying in the UK

StudentsTips and AdviceUniversity

There are many stereotypes and fears international students face when first coming to university here in the UK. Trina Khoo, originally from Singapore, tries to dispel these myths, whilst also warning you about some other British 'issues' you may have to get used to...

The preconceived fears that one arrives with include fitting in with fellow course mates or housemates and adapting to the lifestyle, food and culture. It’s been almost a year since I first came to the UK to study, and I’ve found that these fears have since faded. Underneath all the observable differences between myself and my friends, such as the colour of my skin, my hair and my eyes, or our different accents, we still share a whole load of similarities! We like the same clothes brands and comfort foods, we listen to the same types of music and TV shows, and we also have similar personalities. Of course, the attitude one has when coming to a foreign country to study matters a lot. I decided to be open minded to the home culture and lifestyle, and bear in mind that just because it’s different, that doesn’t mean we should view it with apprehension or criticism. Putting that aside, I’m positive that there are definitely going to be some British quirks that’ll grow on you during your time here. Here are some of mine:

1. British people are very polite

One thing that struck me was how polite and gracious people here are, and it’s something I have grown to be quite fond of! Stepping onto the bus on the way to Uni for the first time, I heard people in the queue in front of me greet the bus driver hello, and people saying thank you on the way out. Doing my weekly shop at Tesco I observed people thanking cashiers too, and responding to an offer for a carrier bag with a ‘Yes please’. The same can be observed in cafes and food joints. Treating service staff with the respect and kindness we expect from them is a wonderful practice!

2. Small talk is a big thing

What I noticed right from the start during Freshers week was how much small talk people engage in here. I’ve grown used to walking into the kitchen and bumping into a flat mate and hearing a ‘You alright?’ or ‘How are you?’ and replying in kind, followed by a brief chat about school or how the weather’s been (this topic never fails) before leaving with a ‘See you later’. I could be in a queue at Topshop or Primark waiting my turn, or sat next to a course mate in a seminar, and I would no doubt find myself drawn into conversation. So, one word of advice for international students about to come to the UK to study: be prepared to make small talk!

3. Summer is not summer

For those of you like myself who come from tropical climates, say goodbye to your crop tops and other summer clothes. Get ready to splurge on some comfy jumpers, warm boots and a coat or two for the colder weather. Don’t have high hopes for British summer either. It can be perfectly sunny one week and rainy and chilly the next. I’ve somehow come to love this quirky weather. Come to think of it, I guess I understand now why people here talk of the weather so much, it’s like a naughty little child that refuses to behave.


About the Author: Trina Khoo is an English literature and linguistics student at the University of York. She loves poems, classic rock music, and spends her free time baking or playing the guitar.

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Trina Khoo is an English literature and linguistics student at the University of York. She loves poems, classic rock music, and spends her free time baking or playing the guitar.

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