Settling in as an international student
Starting university and moving to a new country is an exciting adventure, but it also comes with challenges that may test you in unexpected ways.
We're here to equip you with the skills and knowledge to help you settle into life in the UK and make your transition as smooth as possible.
Adapting to life in the UK
As you adjust to your new surroundings in the UK, you might encounter differences from your home country that take you by surprise. Gaining an understanding of UK culture can boost your confidence and help you feel more at home in your new environment.
Culture shock refers to the experience of moving from a familiar culture to one that feels unfamiliar. At times, you may feel excited and optimistic about living and studying in the UK. At others, you might feel anxious, overwhelmed, or homesick. This is a normal part of adjusting to a new environment.
With time, you’ll likely begin to feel more comfortable navigating life in the UK. Be kind to yourself and patient with the process. Settling in fully can take time, and that’s okay.
Tips for managing culture shock
Ask questions
It is ok to ask questions in UK culture, so talk to people from the UK and ask questions about the culture or how to navigate different situations. Ask other international students what their experiences have been or where they have found home comforts in the UK. This will help you feel more settled.
Bring something special from home
This might be a picture of a pet, friend, or family member, or an object that has special meaning to you. Bringing something from your home country will help you feel less homesick.
Stay in touch with friends and family
Staying in touch with friends and family will help you maintain your connections and feel supported. You should also try to make sure you are making connections with people in the UK so you can build friendships and a support network here too.
Get involved
There are loads of opportunities for you to get involved with what’s going on at the University and in Greater Manchester. You might feel a little nervous before you go to an event, but know that other people will be feeling the same and want to make friends just as much as you do! Making connections is an essential part of settling into the UK.
Take your care of your wellbeing
Moving to a new country is hard, even when the culture is similar to your home country, so it is important to prioritise your physical and mental wellbeing. There are more tips on how to do this on our Starting at Salford webpage.
Regional accents and dialects
Here in the UK, we often use slang, especially around friends and family. This slang can be different depending on what part of the country you are in, which can be quite confusing if you’re not from the UK.
Watch UK news, movies and TV shows. Listen to UK music artists and podcasts. Read books, magazines or local newspapers.
Listen to how locals talk and ask what something means if you don’t understand it. It is ok to ask questions in UK culture, and many people will be happy to repeat themselves to help you. It can also be helpful to ask them to write it down so that you can recognise the word they are saying.
The climate and weather
Many international students are surprised at how wet and cold the UK is. You can expect to enjoy nice weather in summer (between June and September), but during the winter months (November to February), the weather in Salford and Manchester may be a lot colder than what you’re used to - there may even be snow! There are often some cold and rainy periods in Summer, too.
Top tip
When you get here, buy some warm clothing (we recommend purchasing a good waterproof coat) and an umbrella. Hot water bottles are a cheap and effective way to keep warm during cold nights.
Making friends and getting involved
Feeling like a stranger in a new city or environment is a very normal feeling when moving to university in general, which is heightened when you’ve also moved country. While it can be daunting to get involved in new things and make friends, we’re here to reassure you that you will be ok.
There’s lots to get involved with as an international student to help you make connections and settle in. We have a range of dedicated international events where you can meet other international students and new people from across the University and city.
International Community run by Salford SU
Salford SU run an International Community group, helping international students meet friends, build a support system and have fun.
They run free weekly sessions packed full of activities, including movie nights, games and activities. They also run ad-hoc events and trips throughout the year.