Adapting abroad is not an easy task. You will experience a sudden change in climate, time zone and many other factors. If you are going to study in London, for example, you will have to understand more about the culture of the inhabitants there to be able to get used to the differences. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to speed up this process. Check out 5 of them here!

5 steps to adapt when studying in London

Try and discover everything you can about the city

One of the most visited cities in the world, London is proud of its culture and history. According to Countryaah, the British capital is home to thousands of parks and 170 museums (most with free admission), plus all the cafes, restaurants, bars and shops you can imagine (mostly along Oxford Street). Oh, and London was also considered the best student city in the world in the QS Best Student Cities of 2019.

In other words, the capital of the United Kingdom is very diverse and there is a lot to do there. So, when you study in London, try to make the most of the city’s attractions. That way, you will gradually get used to the culture there and soon you will be fully adapted to London traditions.

If the weather is a big shock to you (with the snow and the amount of rainy or cloudy days), research what activities you can engage with the weather in these conditions. Anyway, take advantage of the experience to get to know a climatic reality very different from yours!

Choose to share your accommodation with someone else

Sharing your accommodation can help you adapt better when studying in London. Having someone who lives situations similar to yours to live and talk to will make you feel less lonely, which helps a lot in adapting. In the UK, there are several types of accommodation for students, from student residences, where you share a common area with others, but have your own bedroom (and usually your own bathroom), to private residences, where you can live independently .

Don’t be afraid to ask

It is important to have an open mind and be aware of local customs and traditions. You may even have friends or family members who have already visited or lived in London, so to get a little more familiar with the city, be sure to ask them about the atmosphere there.

In case you don’t have any acquaintances who had a previous experience with the British capital, City University, London, created a program called CityBuddies, which puts freshmen in contact with the institution’s current students to show the campus and help settle down during the first months of university.

Seek support and talk to others

Support can come from your university, your colleagues, roommates , teachers and, of course, your family. Opening up from time to time can help contain those homesick feelings , but try to avoid doing this every day as it can make the adaptation process even longer.

Living and studying in London means that you will be surrounded by hundreds of other international students who are likely to be feeling the same as you. Sharing your experiences with them is a great way to calm down and overcome the culture shock that sometimes occurs in the process of moving abroad.

Get involved

Since you’ve already stepped out of your comfort zone, why not take another step and join a university club? The British institutions often rely on various student clubs and associations focused on many different interests: sports, theater, music, pop culture, and indeed many others. They are a great way to socialize with new people when you go to study in London, which can make you feel more welcome and help with the adaptation process!