Studying overseas is such an exciting experience. There’s so much to see, do and learn during your time in a new country. Even though you can’t wait to get started, you might have some slight concerns in the back of your mind over things like homesickness and the cultural differences.
However, you don’t need to worry about any of these things as we have some top tips and advice that will ease your mind and help you when you make the move.
- Regular video calls will prevent you from feeling homesick
- Make your new room as homely as possible
- Go out and explore your incredible new home
- Socialise and meet new people who are in the same situation
- Embrace the culture and language
Regular video calls will prevent you from feeling homesick
Studying abroad means you’re going to be spending some time away from your friends and family. Feeling a little homesick from time to time is completely normal and there are various things you can do to help. Remember, you’re not going to be the only student that’s feeling this way.
Having regular video calls with home is perfect if you’re starting to miss it a little. Show off your new room, watch your favourite TV show together or just catch up on what’s been happening. Whether the call is 30 minutes or three hours, it can make all the difference.
Make your new room as homely as possible
Nobody will want to spend time in a room that’s not personalised or made homely. Your room is where you’ll spend a lot of your time at university, whether you’re studying or just relaxing after a busy day.
Putting your own mark on the room can make you feel instantly relaxed and in a better frame of mind, which can definitely help when it comes to your studies.
Remember, it’s your new home so it should be a place you feel comfortable. When you’re packing, make sure to include a few special items, like photos, that will make you feel at home when you walk through the door.
Go out and explore your incredible new home
The new country you’ve moved to will have amazing sights, sounds and smells for you to experience. So, go out and see them! You’ll have free time during your studies to spend however you want and there’s no better way of rewarding yourself than by exploring everything your new home has to offer.
You don’t always need a specific reason to go out and see something amazing. You never know what you’ll find when exploring different streets and parts of the city you’ve never been to. It can do wonders to clear your head from studying and help you to relax.
Socialise and meet new people who are in the same situation
Socialising and meeting new people doesn’t just have to start when you’ve first moved into your new home. There are various groups on social media channels that you can join before your course begins, allowing you to get an early start on chatting to other students who are in a similar position to you.
Getting to know them before moving over can be really reassuring and it’s nice to know that you’ll have already made contact with somebody or a few people before making the big move. There’ll be a friendly face waiting for you.
But if social media isn’t your thing and you’re more of a face-to-face kind of person, then once you’ve started your course, you can join student societies. Societies are fun groups that are started by students where you can meet lots of people with similar interests. It’s a great way of bringing like-minded people together in one place. They can be based on anything, whether it’s sports, politics, religion or TV shows.
Embrace the local culture and dialect
You might speak the language fluently, but there’s still going to be a slight language barrier because of the specific dialect of the region you’re staying in. But don’t let this stop you from immersing yourself in the culture and experiencing a new way of living.
Some international students only make friends with people who speak the same language as them because it’s easy and comfortable. Although you’ll meet other students from the same country as you, we’d recommend embracing people from all over the world. It’s a great way of experiencing different cultures and traditions. Don’t be afraid to try new things and take advantage of the amazing opportunity you have by studying abroad.
For example, if you’ve chosen to study at Newcastle University, why not cheer on Newcastle United Football club on a Saturday with the locals? Or why not take the short trip out to Whitley Bay and enjoy some of the freshest fish and chips you’ll find in the North East?
Studying at a university abroad is the chance of a lifetime. And by using the above tips to remove any slight concerns you might have, you can have the best possible university experience.
Prepare yourself for studying abroad in the UK
The UK offers welcoming communities, a vibrant social scene and an outstanding learning experience at first-class universities.
If you’re considering the UK for the next step in your education, then we’ve put together a free eBook that outlines why the UK is a great place to study and the different things you’ll need to have in place in order to study here. Grab your copy below.
