You would always come across 3 types of International Students in the United Kingdom; those who have been out of any kind of schooling for a long time, those who just recently graduated or completed their NYSC and those who have been working for a long time in their home country and are now transitioning to becoming a student all over again.
The truth is being anyone above, one thing that is almost unavoidable is the stress that comes with adjusting, navigating your way through school, and gaining balance. When you think about coursework, classes, research, assignments, and deadlines it is normal to get overwhelmed then being a student in a new country, almost by yourself during a global pandemic. Typing this already feels exhausting now imagine this being someone’s reality.
This write-up is aimed at giving you the real exposure and giving you solutions to easily help navigation all through your time as a student.
Successfully socialising in the last two years will go down as one of the greatest feats in modern history.
In this sequel to the ‘Navigating the New School Environment’ article from a few weeks ago, we will discuss being in a new country, whether you’re a student or not.
- Unfortunately, you can never prepare for culture shock. The scariest thing about moving to a new country is the culture shock, both big and small but especially the small ones. Language, dressing, weather, and food. Truth is people play such significant roles in our lives that we never quite realise how much influence they have until you move to another place with a different everything.
- The way to survive is by first embracing and accepting the new change. Remember that you would not have moved to a new country if you did not have an open mind about life, so ensure that you maintain this attitude. Accept these changes as a part of your new life before criticising them or absorbing them because you will have to change your way of life to suit the new town/country but not vice versa.
- Be prepared to be surprised. Do your research, understand the norms and expectations of people in the town you live in and be prepared to have a different experience each day. Have an idea on expected etiquette from being on the bus to being in a supermarket, there will always be something different. My first time on a bus, in the UK, I tried to pay with a £5 note, and the driver gave me the deathliest stare. I quickly learned to pay with contactless cards.
- You are going to be homesick and that’s okay. It’s difficult to continue life when you’re away from familiar places and faces, and as social creatures, we need that sense of ‘acquaintanceship’. Whether or not you have friends in our new country, you will experience the detachment that comes with leaving a place you’ve known too well. However, I will advise that you remember your former country without the feeling of sadness or regret.
- One way is to make friends – find people with a shared interest. In the last article for students, I mentioned joining societies at school, but sometimes similar interests might be with people in the church. Or sporting events, I know several people who joined a five-aside football team and moved on from there. Or your local pub, theatre, park etc. there’s always a place to make friends. Just remember to not take it too personally if you have tried but still have no friends. Just keep trying. Don’t forget your old friends as they will be the key to quelling the sadness you experience when you think about home. Keep up with them while you try making new friends.
- Invest in a few reminders of your previous life. It could be cooking up a bowl of your favourite stew/soup during the weekend, playing some songs, or decorating your new place with some sentimental pieces. Whatever you do try to create a familiar and comforting space, so you have a place that doesn’t feel new even in a new country.
- Explore, please! You’re in a new country, and we can bet our last penny that you haven’t seen a lot of places, so please check them out. There are several things to do in a new place that doesn’t always involve money if that’s the worry.
- Make a point to explore and discover all that is around you, while being safe. The UK has a lot to offer by way of ‘attraction’, so take advantage of it. You can feast your eyes on everything from parks to zoos to Victorian and Middle-Age cathedrals. Find out when a local guide is giving a tour and sign up. Check out celebrated sites, popular and unpopular attractions, scenic routes etc. while paying attention to the things you see along the way. You can take a trip to a new town or city for the day and make some fun memories. One of my most memorable trips with my friends was in May when we rode the Emirates cable car across the Thames.
- Explore local delicacies, whilst you feed your eyes. In my opinion, food is one of the most original representations of culture. You can find a wide variety of food from every country in the UK, whether in farmers’ markets, pop-up shops or high-street restaurants. Beyond a full English breakfast, fish and chips, or chilli con Carne, there is a host of other British and non-British things you will enjoy. If you enjoy cooking, do some research on what foodstuffs are available close to you and try out something you’ve never tried before. You don’t have to give up your personal favourites but who says you can’t get new ones.
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By Joy Etta and Sarah Amu