u/Shivanshu_10

I knew the UK would be cold before I moved here. Everyone told me. But knowing it and actually living through your first winter are two different things. A few things caught me off guard that no one really warned me about, so here they are in case it helps someone coming this year.

It gets dark so early

This was the first shock. I finished a lecture at uni around 4:30 one day, walked outside, and it was already dark. Properly dark, not evening dark. I literally thought it was much later, like 7 or 8pm. It never got dark that early back home, so for the first few weeks I kept feeling like the day was over before it actually was. You finish your stuff in the afternoon and it already feels like night. Takes a while to get used to that.

The cold isn't even that low but it feels worse

On paper the temperature isn't that extreme. But it feels colder than the number suggests. It's the damp and the wind that get you. Some days it would say a few degrees and I'd be more cold than I expected to be. I learned pretty fast that you dress for how it feels, not for what the weather app says.

My heating broke and it was a nightmare

One thing I didn't think about until it happened. My radiator stopped working once and I had no heating. For one night it was genuinely miserable, you don't realise how much you rely on it until it's gone. My landlord did fix it the next day, so it wasn't very bad, but that one night made me take heating a lot more seriously. This actually leads to a tip I'd actually give people. When you're looking for a place, try to find accommodation that includes electricity and water bills, especially for winter. Some places hit you with high heating charges and it adds up fast in the cold months. Bills included in the rent takes that stress off completely, so it's worth checking before you sign anything.

Some things are better bought here

I packed a lot of warm stuff from home thinking I was sorted. But I ended up buying my winter coats here anyway, the quality is just better for the actual weather here, since it's made for it. So my advice is don't overpack heavy winter gear. Some things are genuinely better bought once you arrive, and a proper coat is one of them. It saves space in your luggage too.

Looking back

My first winter sounds like a lot of complaining but honestly it wasn't that bad once I adjusted. You figure out the dark, you layer up properly, you sort your heating situation, and it becomes normal. It just hits different when you're not used to any of it.

So if you're coming this year, you'll be fine. Just sort a proper coat, check if your bills are included, and don't panic when it's dark at half four. What caught the rest of you off guard in your first winter abroad? Curious if the early darkness threw anyone else as much as it threw me. If you have any query related to accommodation, do DM!

Before I came to the UK for my Master's, I thought the big adjustments would be the obvious stuff. Weather, food, being far from family, a new way of studying. I didn't really think about the small everyday habits. The little things people here do without thinking about them at all. A few of those caught me off guard more than the big stuff did.

"You alright?" is not really a question

One of the first things I noticed was how much people say "you alright?" When I started working at a care home, my colleagues said it all the time. So I assumed they were actually asking how I was. I would answer properly. "Yeah I'm good, how are you?" And nearly every time they would just say "not bad." That confused me. Not bad? Back home if someone asks how you are, you either say you're fine or you tell them what's wrong. But here everyone somehow knew what "not bad" meant.

I got used to it after a while. Now I say "you alright?" to people myself, and when someone asks me I just say "not bad, you?" without thinking. Picked it up without even noticing.

Everyone says sorry for everything

This took me a while. People here say sorry all the time, even when they did nothing wrong. I nearly walked into someone on the Greenway once. It was honestly both our faults. But before I could say anything they smiled, said "oh sorry" and just kept walking. I stood there a bit confused about why they were the one apologising. Same with thank you. Someone holds a door, thank you. Someone lets you cross, thank you. Someone moves a bit to make space, thank you. And then there's "cheers." First time I heard it I thought people were talking about drinks. Turns out cheers just means thanks half the time.

Everyone talks about the weather

This one surprised me. Almost every conversation ends up on the weather somehow. You can know someone for thirty seconds and it still comes up, usually pretty fast, and usually it's a small moan about it. What got me even more was that everyone seemed to know the forecast for the whole week. People would tell me "sunny tomorrow," "windy on Thursday," "cold again next week." Meanwhile I usually had no clue what it was going to do that same afternoon.

Fixed prices, no bargaining

Bigger adjustment than I expected. Back home bargaining is just normal in a lot of places. Here if it says £20, it's £20. That's it. No haggling, no trying your luck, no asking for a bit off. You just pay what it says and move on. Felt strange at first because I was used to bargaining being part of it. Now I actually find it kind of relaxing.

A few smaller ones

There were other little things too. Queuing is taken seriously, and you can feel people getting annoyed if someone jumps the line. People don't always say what they mean either, so "it's fine" sometimes clearly means it's not fine. Tea shows up in every situation, good news, bad news, or nothing happening at all. And at some point "you lot," "innit" and "cheers mate" just sort of crept into how I talk now.

Looking back

None of this is a big deal on its own. But together it's the stuff that makes you realise you're actually living somewhere else, not just visiting. You can prepare for lectures, assignments, visas, accommodation. The small social stuff you just pick up as you go, usually after a few awkward moments. Honestly those confusing little moments are some of the ones I remember most now. Annoying at the time, but they taught me more about daily life here than anything else.

So I'm curious, what small things caught you off guard when you moved abroad? And please tell me I wasn't the only one thrown by "not bad."

Short summary in case you don't fancy reading everything: if you intend to study at a UK university, try booking a dorm/apartment around 2-3 months prior to your flight, not one week before you land in the country. I have learned this lesson partly through trial-and-error and largely by observing the mistakes others make.

The room which I found in July was reserved by me in June. A couple of months before flying out to Chester for my MSc course, I was under the impression that I did too much work early on. There was still visa processing, moving, informing my family, and finding a place to stay in a city I have never been to before. The latter part sounded a tad complicated, since I had to choose an appropriate location without physically visiting it.

A friend of mine who started his course in September of the same year did not share my view on timeliness. He preferred waiting until late August to pick his apartment. On one hand, he had some good points, like more time choosing between options, possible lower cost due to a larger selection, and ability to haggle. On another hand, I could understand what he meant. He started searching in August. However, there was not much left that looked appealing. Most suitable accommodations were either located quite a distance from campus or overpriced, or simply strange in some way. Pictures were blurry, the contact person refused to discuss anything over the phone. We both know the type. As a result, he picked the room that did not really suit his needs. In September he lived in discomfort due to an unsatisfactory choice that was left. Thus, my decision proved to be the correct one, and I will explain why.

Why everything goes so fast

All available places are booked way before fresher's week takes place. So you run into a high possibility of having fewer and more expensive options by the time you decide to begin actively searching.

Very roughly how the search went for us during the past year:

December-February – very organized students find their apartments, sometimes even before the acceptance letter is received.

March-May – best period, many options available, prices remain low enough.

June – not a bad time, however options are getting scarce now.

July – not much going on anymore, prices increasing.

August – my friend found a room that did not suit him.

What advice would I give future students?

Search apartments long before any official documents are required. By the time my search started, I had done my homework: researched the options, figured out my budget range and shortlisted several apartments. So when June came, I simply approved the rooms which seemed decent, not began searching from scratch. Negotiating in person will probably not help you decrease the rent. On the contrary, you become much more vulnerable and have virtually no bargaining power.

Even though a cheap place is always tempting, living far away from campus is not an optimal solution. You pay extra transportation costs, while having just arrived to a new country and being unable to get used to new conditions quickly. Approach listings with caution: if something looks suspicious, it usually means there is something fishy going on. Scammers targeting students who are unable to examine the place in person are frequent guests at UK rental websites.

Find a guarantor ahead of time, you will definitely need one eventually.

I would lie if I claimed the above lesson stemmed from my successful experience in June. I just chose the right time for booking, whereas my friend waited a little too long. Interestingly enough, from the experience of failure I gained much more than from my success.

So if you're joining this year's class, you still have enough time. Just remember that booking ahead will save you a lot of trouble.

Has someone here postponed booking, or ordered too far in advance? If you are looking for accommodation options in the UK, DM me for options.

When preparing for the trip to the UK, I did not consider the problem of accommodation as one of the most important aspects. I was paying more attention to universities' rankings, fees, visas, and job opportunities abroad. But once the actual relocation happened, I understood that I have underestimated accommodation's importance significantly.

The place you will live at influences absolutely everything:

• your daily routine;
• your budget;
• your social life;
• your mental state;
• your experience abroad.

In general, a few unfamiliar terms that confuse international students a lot are PBSA, student house shares, HMO, all-inclusive rent, guarantors, tenancy agreements, etc. But in reality, everything becomes much easier to figure out once you get here. PBSA stands for Purpose-Built Student Accommodation, accommodations specifically made for students. And student house shares refer to regular houses where several students or young professionals live.

From the looks of it, both types seem similar. But once you start living in either type, you will understand that everything differs drastically.

Advantages of Choosing PBSA as an International Student

There are multiple reasons why some international students prefer to stay in PBSAs at first. PBSAs usually provide students with:

• furnishings;
• Internet;
• electricity, gas, water included;
• communal spaces;
• study areas;
• security;
• maintenance services;
• and simplified booking processes.

At first, moving into accommodation near the university and the city center did not influence me so much. But eventually, this convenient location proved to be really useful. Not having to commute to university, pay additional fees for gas, electricity, furniture, Internet installation, or fixing problems myself made me happier in my first few weeks in Chester. Another issue people forget about while choosing accommodations; their influence on our social life.

I met the first people in the UK in the same accommodation building where I lived, and we became good friends. One of the seniors who lived there helped me find a part-time job in the local nursing home. Sometimes, students overlook how living in such a house can affect their future opportunities. As for searching for accommodation, I used websites like University Living as they provide easy comparisons of the verified properties.

Student House Shares: Affordable, but Complex

It seems to be obvious that PBSA will cost more than student house shares. That's why some students try to move into student house shares right away. However, the truth is; cheaper rents don't necessarily mean cheaper accommodation.

For instance, at the moment, one of my friends is living with a few others in a similar house. The rent is cheap, but his additional expenses for electricity, gas, and maintaining the building increase monthly fees significantly. Additionally, there are specific issues students face when renting a student house share. First, let's talk about utilities in the UK. For example, winter season is especially harsh in the UK, and heating can significantly increase bills. Moreover, living with other people can lead to disputes about payment methods, cleanliness rules, or sleep schedule differences. I noticed that living with other people in the UK requires more attention to some details.

Hidden Issues With Choosing Accommodation for Students

Unfortunately, many international students do not understand what they need to pay attention to before signing a contract for a new house.

For instance, it's worth considering:

• whether the accommodation provides bills;
• whether there are any guarantors required for a rental contract;
• whether the house charges extra for any damages;
• and whether there is somebody responsible for fixing the problems in the accommodation.

All these issues usually appear once students get to their houses, and they are unable to change their mind at this point. PBSA companies are usually more organized in this sense, which is why students don't have to struggle as hard while searching for the best option for themselves.

Conclusion

Is there any option that fits everyone's needs? Unfortunately, there isn't any.

For instance, PBSA suits students better who:

• moved to a new country;
• are planning an easier transition to a new university;
• prefer predictable monthly payments; or
• value convenient locations and security.

On the contrary, if you plan to:

• save as much money as possible;
• gain more independence;
• or already know someone who will be living in the house with you.

If you have taken into consideration everything above mentioned, you should decide based on your own priorities and preferences. In addition, PBSA and student house shares have more aspects that students should take into account while choosing an apartment. However, after analyzing two options, you can easily realize how significant this aspect becomes when moving to a new country.

If you are going to move to the UK, what matters to you more? Saving money, convenience, independence, or social environment?

If you are planning to move abroad for studies and need help, do DM!

#UniversityLiving #StudentsintheUK #internationalstudents #UKhousing #houseshares

After I arrived in the UK, I had a basic idea of what a student life would be like. Attend lectures, get a part-time job, going out in the city exploring, etc. I thought every other student around me would be doing similar things. Same kind of routine, same priorities, and similar balance. It didn’t take long to realise how wrong that assumption was.
I came to the UK in January intake for my Masters in Biotechnology at University of Chester.
Within the first few weeks itself, I started noticing patterns. People were living completely different versions of student life; not slightly different, but fundamentally different. Same university. Same city. Same opportunities. But the way everyone lived, completely different.

The “Only Studies” Student
One of the first types I noticed was the student who is completely focused on academics; nothing else. I remember one of my classmates very clearly. We had the same lectures, same schedule, and I would see her almost every day in university. But outside of that, she was almost invisible. No outings, no casual walks, nothing. And this was in Chester, a city where even a simple evening walk feels refreshing. But she never really stepped out unless it was necessary.
Her life was very structured:
• Attend lectures,
• Go back home,
• Study,
• Occasionally step out for groceries.
That’s it. No part-time job, no socialising, no distractions. At first, I thought it was extreme discipline. But over time, I realised it was just her way of doing things. She had her priorities clear from day one, and for students like her, the entire purpose of coming abroad is purely academic, and they stick to it no matter what.

The “Money First” Student
Then there was another group of students that stood out in a very different way; the students who were completely focused on earning. Honestly, this group is quite common. In my cohort alone, more than 30% of students were like them. What shocked me more was that their routine was built around work and not university. They would:
• Work their legal 20 hours per week,
• Pick up additional cash-in-hand jobs,
• Take shifts in restaurants, takeaways, off-license shops, care homes, etc.
Most of them were working far beyond what’s officially allowed. Naturally, something had to give in, and for them it was usually academics. I’ve seen students:
• Miss lectures regularly,
• Barely maintain minimum attendance,
• Struggle with assignments,
• Sometimes even outsource their work just to pass.
From the distance, it might seem like they’re making poor choices; but when you actually talk to them, the picture changes. Many of them had financial responsibilities, they had families depending on them. For them, earning was never optional, it was necessary. They weren’t here for the “student experience.” They were here to make things work financially.

The “Here for the Experience” Student
On the other end of the spectrum, there were students who were here to enjoy their life to the fullest. They had a very different energy about them, and you can spot them easily. They would:
• Attend enough classes to get by,
• Work part-time occasionally,
• But prioritise social life above everything else.
Clubs, pubs, house parties, trips; they were always doing something. To them it didn’t matter if it was a weekday or weekend. Their life revolved around:
• Going out,
• Meeting people,
• Building relationships,
• Living the “abroad experience” without limits.
They are academically still present, but that is not their main focus. They would complete assignments, pass exams, and move on. Sometimes, I used to wonder if I could be that happy. While others were constantly stressed about balancing everything, they seemed to just… live in the moment and enjoy.

The “Trying to Balance Everything” Student
Then there were people like me who were trying to manage everything at once. This is probably the most common type, but also the most exhausting one. Me, like most of the other students, belonging to a middle class family have our own responsibilities and passion.
We're constantly juggling:
• Lectures and assignments,
• A part-time job (close to 20 hours a week),
• Networking and future planning,
• Trying to maintain some kind of social life.
There’s always something to do. If we're not working, we're studying. If we're not studying, we’re planning your next step; applying for roles, building connections, thinking about your career. Always trying to be one step ahead. Some even try to get an experience by becoming a Student Ambassador at their universities or any verified student accommodation like University Living to guide incoming student cohort.
At the same time, we don’t want to completely miss out on life. So, we try to go out once in a while, meet people, and stay connected. It’s not perfect. It’s not easy. But the motivation and will power to move ahead is always there.
We manage to:
• Get decent grades,
• Earn enough to support yourself,
• Build a network,
• Still experience bits of student life.
It feels like we’re constantly in motion; but in a controlled way.

The “Lost in the Middle” Student
There’s another type of students that people don’t talk about much, but you notice them over time.
These are the students that do fine at the start but slowly lose direction. They eventually lose focus. They are not fully committed to work, and not very socially active either. As the time passes, they feel lost. They’re just somewhere in between everything. Barely managing to do everything.
You’ll often hear them say things like:
• “I’ll figure it out soon”,
• “I’ll start applying for pat-time jobs properly next week”
But days turn into weeks, and weeks into months. They’re not failing, but they’re not progressing either. They attend some classes, skip others, apply for a few jobs here and there, but nothing consistent. It’s never about the lack of ability, but it’s more about not having a clear direction. That is something most of the students go through at some point in their student life abroad.

After spending time around all these different types of people, one thing became very clear. There is no single “correct” way to live your student life abroad. Everyone is responding to their own situation:
• Financial pressure,
• Career goals,
• Personal mindset,
• What they want out of this experience.
Some are building stability. Some are chasing money. Some are enjoying freedom. Some are just trying to figure things out.
The biggest surprise for me wasn’t moving to the UK. It was realising how different the journey can be for everyone, even when everything else is the same. Having same university, same city yet completely different outcomes. All depends on the choices students make every day. And if I were to be honest, most of us don’t fit into just one category. We move between them. We adjust. We learn. And somewhere along the way, we find what works for us.
Comment below which type of student you relate with? Or it was anything in between these types?

#studyabroad #studentlife #universityliving #internationalstudent

If we are going to abroad specifically for a career in finance, tech, or consulting, one of the most important filter is QS employer reputation. Universities with higher QS rankings tend to attract more top-tier recruiters on campus.

But I still find myself questioning how important it is as compared to internships, projects, and networking. For anyone who's gone through this, did rankings really influenced your decision?

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Before coming to the United Kingdom, I had everything well organized. My plan was simple: devote as much time as needed to studying, work from 10 to 20 hours per week, and cover my expenses with part-time income. That’s how I imagined my life would be. I got this idea by reading blogs and listening to students’ and agents’ advice.

Upon arrival, I found out the truth. Jobs are everywhere, but finding one is neither simple nor fast. There are those lucky people who get a part-time position in a couple of weeks, and there are those who look for it for several months. This situation could be disappointing as no one talks about difficulties related to job search. Getting your first part-time job takes some time and effort. Firstly, you should apply online for a position. This could be care home assistant, waitresses, barista, waiter, kitchen assistant, cashier, cleaner, etc. Submit applications every day; adjust your CV and try again the next day.

However, most times you don’t receive a response. Usually, you hear only such things as ‘there are no vacancies’, ‘please apply online’, or ‘we will contact you’. Yet, nothing happens. In such a situation, some students decide to go and find a job themselves. They visit different places and ask if there are any job opportunities. Even doing that, you still need to invest time into the process. One of the major factors is your city. Big cities always have lots of job opportunities, but they also contain many students who compete for the same position. Conversely, small towns have fewer candidates, yet fewer positions to offer as well. This is why it is essential to realize this trade-off and adjust your expectations.

Secondly, you should pay attention to networking. Most students get hired thanks to their personal contacts. Your friends or flatmates can recommend you, someone can inform about a vacancy or tell you where to find one.

Without a personal network, finding a part-time job takes even more time. That’s where your accommodation can play a great role. If you live in student housing, you can find other students who already have a job or know where to find one.

For me, this step helped a lot. Arranging accommodation in advance with University Living, I met other students. Among them, there was someone with a job in a care home. Due to his recommendation, I started working as a domestic assistant.

Otherwise, it would probably take several months more for me. One thing which needs to be remembered is the fact that you should expect the unexpected when it comes to your part-time job. Usually, students are placed in the part-time work according to their availability on a zero-hour contract. Sometimes, you are working enough to cover your expenses. Other times, there are almost no shifts available.

Moreover, the lack of guaranteed working hours makes your budget planning more challenging than ever. Although this information is rarely mentioned by agents or students before arrival, the issue will be faced by you sooner or later.

Previous work experience, including hospitality, might help in your employment to a certain extent. Nevertheless, it cannot ensure you of getting a job right away. Although many employers do not ask for a work experience in the UK, the competition among candidates is still too high.

In summary, finding a part-time job in the United Kingdom is possible. Nevertheless, the process takes some time and efforts. Do not be misled by statements of other people. Do not expect that your part-time employment will solve all your problems. Be ready to have a backup plan and manage your expectations regarding the employment.

Remember that your city choice, network, and accommodation may influence your process significantly. Also, be aware that the more experience you gather, the easier your future employment will be.

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