Life in London: How to Adjust to Studying Abroad

Shared accommodation can make life settling into a new city that little bit easier. In the UK, there are student accommodation options galore, from halls of residence where you share a communal area with others but have your own bedroom (and usually your own bathroom), all the way to private housing where you can live independently.

For Ibrahim, it was a bit of a challenge trying to adjust during his first week living in a brand-new city, but it wasn’t long before he got to know his flatmates better.  

“When I met my flatmates, I realized they were in the same situation as me, so we all helped each other make the transition to living in London easier.”

From movie nights to study sessions, living in shared student accommodation is a great way to meet new people and make new friends.

It’s important to be open-minded and be aware of local customs and traditions. You might even have friends or family who’ve already visited London, so you could be a little more acquainted with the city than you realize – ask them questions if you’re unsure of anything.

A scheme at City, University of London called CityBuddies, pairs up new undergraduate students with current students on their course who can show them around campus and help them settle in during the first few months of university. 

Support can come from your university, classmates, flatmates, professors and of course, home. Touching base every now and again can help curb those feelings of homesickness – but try and avoid doing this every day as it can make the adjustment process even longer.

Living and studying in London means you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of other international students who are more than likely feeling the same as you. Sharing your experiences with one another is a great way to get some reassurance and overcome the culture shock that sometimes comes with moving abroad.

“City’s orientation events for international students were a big part of my adjustment, both in terms of providing useful information as well as being a hub to meet other international students,” said Margot, who participates in City’s ‘Your place in our City’ video (featured above).

“I think diving in head first was my approach – saying ‘yes’ a lot in the first few weeks was key for me,” said the Food Policy MSc student from Chicago.  

You’ve gone beyond your comfort zone once, why not do it again and get involved with a student club at your university?

Whether you have a deep passion for the arts, or a keen interest in sport, there’s bound to be a student club that’s perfect for you. At City there are over 50 student societies and clubs for students to get involved with.

Being part of a student club or society is a great way to escape the stresses of studying and lectures. They’re also a gateway to meeting others who have the same interests and passion as you – potentially leading to lifelong friendships!