Moving to a new country to pursue your studies is a big step. If you feel overwhelmed, that is completely normal. Most international students experience some degree of culture shock, even if it is not widely discussed. This does not mean something is wrong with you; it is just part of adjusting to a new lifestyle.

Hi, I am Raghav Sharma, Activities Officer at Coventry University and a recent graduate from CU London, Dagenham. I know exactly what this feels like, because I have been there myself.
 
It's Okay to Feel This Way

Arriving in a new place can be exciting, but it often also brings feelings of missing home or feeling out of place. This mix of emotions is normal and will not last forever. It’s important to let yourself feel these emotions instead of trying to push them away.

My Story

I came to London from a small town in India for my graduation. I was 18, and I had never been exposed to a city like this, a global, interconnected city with a world-class transport system, surrounded by people from countries I had only ever seen on a map. My first experience of the UK was straight into the financial capital of the world. I had no family and no friends here. The only thing I had was my university.

I had never cooked or properly taken care of myself before, so learning to manage everything on my own was genuinely hard. And what hurt the most was missing my family, my friends, and home. It is obvious that you are not going to get the same environment here that you had back home. But if we are honest, that is exactly what we came here for: to learn something new, to do things we never imagined, and to achieve something we once only dreamt of.

I missed everything from my family, the food, and my friends. At that time, I did not know what the SU was or anything it offered. The friends I made were from my course, people from Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and some local British students too. That is how I built my community, one connection at a time.

But if you are an international student today, you do not have to do it the way I did.

You Do Not Have to Do This Alone

As the SU, we now provide a wide community of international students connected to each other through our community groups. We organise regular events, including cultural events, and we have dedicated societies; if you feel we do not have one for you, you can create your own.

• Societies — from cultural and faith societies to hobby and interest groups, there is likely a space where you will feel comfortable.
• International Student Community — Join a community of students who share your experiences. This group is for all students with an international background. Whether you have come to the UK to study or have lived in different cultures, you are all welcome here.
• Global Majority Community — This is a community for students who are Black, Asian, dual-heritage, or who have been identified as 'ethnic minorities.' It focuses on shared identity and experiences.

You don’t have to know everything about the community/society to join. Most people arrive without knowing anyone, and that’s the idea.

Academic Life in the UK

UK universities expect students to learn more independently than they might be used to. This means you will get fewer lectures and need to do more self- studies. Speaking up in class or emailing lecturers may feel different as well. If you feel unsure about this system, don’t worry; it's just different. It will become easier with time. 
 
Please ask questions if you need help. Your professors understand that you are an international student and may not be familiar with this system. They are willing to assist you, especially with simple issues, so just ask them. Moreover, you have academic writers to help with your assignments and IT Services for tech support too. You are not expected to figure this out alone; support is built into your university experience.

Small Things Help More Than You Would Think

• Keep in touch with your home but also give yourself space to build a life here.
• Stick to a routine. Eating, sleeping, and studying at regular times help more than you might think. Once you are used to it, these tasks will feel like a piece of cake. They will become part of your daily life. These habits will help you reach your goals not only as a student but later as an employee too.
• Explore your city a little at a time rather than all at once.
• Be patient with yourself. Adjusting is not always the same. Some weeks will feel easier than others.

If It Is More Than Just Settling In

If you feel like things are harder than usual, it’s important to talk to someone. The SU's advice and support services are available for this, no matter how big or small your concerns are. No matter where you are on your journey, remember that it will get easier if you contact us anytime. You don’t need to wait until you are struggling to ask for help.