Adjusting to life in the UK

Moving to a different country can seem terrifying. You don’t only miss your friends and family, but you also face a lot of differences between your motherland and a new place you will now be living in! But don’t worry, as it doesn’t have to be scary. I moved from Poland to England 2.5 years ago and I would like to give you some advice on how to adjust to life in the UK!

1. Practice your English and listen to the British accent as much as possible

I don’t know about you, but I grew up learning American English which has a completely different accent than British English and it’s easier to understand. Therefore, when I first came to England, I was completely shocked when I couldn’t understand what people were saying to me.

This is why it’s so important to listen to British accent as much as possible so that you eventually get used to it! Turn on some British podcasts, watch British YouTubers or just simply talk to British people every day and I can promise that this will help you understand them better 😊

My absolute favourites are:

• English with Lucy YouTube channel
• Pronunciation with Emma YouTube Channel
• TV shows with British accent such as The Crown

2. Create a list of all the formal things you need

When you first move to a new country, you want to start using all the services as soon as possible. To avoid forgetting about something important, I’d advise you to create a list of all the necessary formal things you will need to have covered within the first weeks of your arrival. This may include:

• Setting up a bank account

• Sorting out a UK phone number and a sim card
• Applying for NIN (National Insurance Number) which is needed for work
• Registering with a GP (a doctor)
• Enrolment at the University

etc.

3. Take a full tour of campus and Lincoln

If you would like Lincoln to become a new home away from home, it’d be good to know what’s around and how to access all the things you need! This is why I encourage you to go on a tour around campus and see all the buildings and facilities university has. It will make your life so much easier, and you won’t get lost!

Also, spend one of your first weekends exploring Lincoln – it is a relatively small town where everything can be accessed within a walking distance. Find out where you can access the best supermarkets, stationery, or green spaces for winding down. Take a look at this article to get some inspiration!

4. Meet new people

Meeting people plays a huge part in how we are adjusting to living in a new place. Luckily, there are many places where you can make new friends as an international student!

• Umii app – a social app where you can meet other people from your university
• Global Experiences Team – they organise many events you can get involved in such as a weekly Coffee and Catch Up, or Fun and Games. Do keep an eye on their socials to stay up-to-date! @libsglobalexperiences
• Reslife team – they put on social, campus events for all students, stay up to date by following their socials: @unilincolnreslife
• ISA trips to UK cities – every month Students Union organises a trip to one of the UK’s cities – it is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and explore England!

5. Familiarise yourself with British customs and traditions

When living in a foreign country, it’s great to know about their customs and traditions. I recommend checking out:

• The British Culture Club podcast (available on Spotify)
• British Council website
• Nicolas Fairford YouTube channel

6. Know what is expected from you on your course

To make an adjustment smooth and easy, find out in advance what universities look like in the UK and ask your tutors what would be expected from you. This way, you will avoid any surprises that could potentially impact your assessments and exams.

7. Be curious and open-minded

Last and one of the most important rules! Life in a foreign country will be different, but if you come with a positive attitude and remain curious – the adjustment process is going to be so much easier!