It is a very exciting time, moving to a different country, meeting new people and learning about different cultures. However, it can also be a bit of a shock and you may experience many emotions during the first few weeks whilst you adjust to your new environment.

If you live in a warm climate you may find the weather in the UK cold and wet at certain times of the year. British food may be very different to what you are used to, however, local supermarkets stock a very wide range of foods from around the world so you should be able to find some familiar food. There are plenty of places to eat at both campuses, offering a variety of meals.

Social behaviours may confuse or surprise you, and you may find the relationships between men and women more formal or less formal than you are used to. Every culture has unspoken rules of behaviour and the effect may be disorientating. For example, British people generally have a reputation for punctuality. Therefore, in business and academic life, keeping time is important; you should always be on time for classes, lectures and meetings, and should let people know if you are going to be late or unable to attend.

You may be surprised that other cultures do not share the same values and beliefs as you. Give yourself time to adjust and understand others, and remember that other people will take time to understand your behaviour too.

Guidance and Information

UKCISA produce some guidance on culture shock that you may find interesting to read and the British Council have information on their website about UK life and culture.

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