For students who are going to study in the UK, it is very necessary to understand the life of studying in the UK.About the life guide for studying in the UK,Apply for studying in the UK, ,Distribution of living expenses for studying in the UK, ,Cities for studying abroad in the UK, ,Things to note when studying in the UKThe problem.
1. About the life guide for studying in the UK
1. Food
The British people eat a lot of fried food, with meat, pasta and rice as the main staples. The daily food prices are not very expensive, and seasonal fruits and vegetables are very fresh. In a whole day's diet, the total cost of meat, staple food, vegetables, milk, etc. will not exceed 30 pounds.
There are many large supermarkets in the UK, which sell all kinds of food. There are also many domestically produced foods in Chinese supermarkets. You don’t have to worry about not being able to get used to British food, nor do you have to worry about not being able to eat delicious Chinese food.
In the UK, the prices of supplies in factory-type supermarkets are relatively cheap, so you can go to the supermarket on weekends to buy food and supplies for the week, which can save a lot of money and time.
In the UK, people drink a lot of tea and coffee, but usually drink cold drinks with meals. Unlike Chinese culture, British people do not think that drinking hot water or hot drinks is necessarily good for health. Therefore, there is no place to fill hot water on university campuses, and you can only see taps that dispense cold water.
Even though there are authentic Chinese restaurants run by Chinese people all over the UK, when your British friends say they have eaten Chinese food, they are probably talking about "British Chinese takeaway", such as fried shrimp chips and lemon chicken. There are Chinese supermarkets in big cities where you can buy all the cooking ingredients, condiments and pots and pans you need. From hot pots to rice cookers, everything is available. But if you live in a more rural area, don't forget to bring some of your favorite foods from China, but British customs have strict regulations on passengers bringing certain foods into the country, so pay attention to the latest regulations.
Another thing to pay attention to is the time and amount of meals. In the UK, dinner is usually more formal than lunch and is larger. Students' lunch is usually a cold sandwich, which is very different from the hot lunch that most Chinese students are used to.
2. Clothes
The climate in the UK is relatively mild, and the British people dress for comfort and warmth. They require classic and elegant styles and cuts, and mainly focus on comfort. Clothes in the UK are relatively expensive, but the quality is very good and comfortable, and they are all genuine. When you first go to the UK, you will definitely take the opportunity to go shopping.
There are many large shopping malls and markets in the UK, and there are many convenient places to shop. After going to the UK, you will find that many British clothes are not easy to buy because of their body shape and size. If you want to buy good-looking and well-fitting clothes, you need to do more homework.
3. Accommodation
There are usually three types of accommodation for studying in the UK: on-campus accommodation, off-campus rental, and host family accommodation.
On-campus accommodation is more convenient and can help international students become independent, integrate into the learning environment as quickly as possible, and make good friends. The accommodation environment of the school is very good for international students in the UK. The 2-4-person room has a separate bed, wardrobe, separate bathroom, air conditioning and washing machine. The cost of accommodation is included in the tuition fee, and the fee for one semester is about 3,500-6,000 pounds.
Renting a house off campus is more flexible, with no time restrictions, and you can cook your own meals, which is more economical. However, the housing prices in different cities vary. The price of a single room in London and Manchester is 600-800 pounds per month, in other second-tier cities it is 500-650 pounds, and in the rest of the cities it is less than 500 pounds per month.
The host family can take good care of you, learn the local language, and integrate into local life as soon as possible. The fees for the host family are also affected by various factors, and fluctuate between 350-700 pounds per month.
4. Action
The traffic rules in the UK are very different from those in China. When you go to the UK, you must first understand the local traffic rules.
Common modes of transportation in the UK include buses, subways, taxis, private cars, trains, airplanes, ships, etc. Buses and subways are relatively cheap, and you can also apply for a student card, which can get you a lot of discounts. The starting price of a taxi is relatively high, but it is still safe. The transportation in the UK is well developed, and it is relatively convenient to basically go to every city.
In the UK, you drive on the left. It's easy to forget this when you first arrive and look in the wrong direction, only to find a car coming towards you.
Although jaywalking is legal in the UK, people usually wait for the pedestrian crossing light to turn green before crossing the road. Unlike China, British drivers usually don't think of crossing the road in the middle of the busy traffic.
V. Other aspects
Use more polite words: When studying in the UK, you will find that people say "please" and "thank you" much more often than in China, and they often use these two words between friends. Using these polite words has become an element of our culture. So, if you accidentally bump into someone, even on the subway, most people will naturally say "sorry".
Take the initiative in interpersonal communication: This is not a cultural difference, but after arriving in the UK, you should think about how to integrate into British society and get along with the locals. When I first came to study in China, it was easiest to hang out with British classmates, but after a month I found that my Chinese had not improved at all. It's like a vicious cycle. The more time you spend with your compatriots, the less opportunities you have to practice the language of the country you are in, and then the more embarrassed you are to speak to the locals.
When you think of Britain, the first thing that comes to mind is rain. The British often talk about the weather because it is unpredictable and many people feel that it affects their mood. In Britain, it is common to see the sun shining brightly in the morning, then it starts to rain, and then it starts to snow in the evening. The British often carry an umbrella when they go out, just in case.
There is definitely a drinking culture among young people in the UK. College students often drink a lot of alcohol on an empty stomach. Then they go to clubs together so that they don't have to spend money on alcohol, which is usually very expensive. This is very different from "going out" in China. The karaoke culture in China is usually to make an appointment to go to a karaoke bar, reserve a table, and order drinks and snacks.
2. Things to do when studying in the UK
1. Comply with laws and regulations
Including the more basic legal provisions, as long as they are related to your study abroad and life, you should do your homework carefully, and you also need to pay attention to the welfare policies specially formulated for international students. If you meet the requirements, you should enjoy them boldly.
The rules that are most closely related to our daily lives are mainly about traffic, because we basically have to go out every day. We should pay special attention to the fact that the UK practices driving on the left, and the traffic lights here will only change color if you press them yourself, so don't wait foolishly.
2. Understand social
The locals are more straightforward in character, so when you are talking to them, don't be too euphemistic, as this may cause dissatisfaction among others and they may think you are wasting their time. You also need to understand the local humor culture and pay attention to showing support during conversations.
If you are going out, seeing a doctor or visiting someone, be sure to remember to make an appointment in advance so that they can be prepared and your goal can be achieved quickly without delaying other arrangements, which can greatly improve your work efficiency.
3. Correct your attitude
If you want to integrate into local life, you need to adjust your attitude. Don't blindly worship Western culture, nor regard yourself as a great power. You need to put each other on a relatively equal position and interact in a relatively harmonious atmosphere.
As outsiders, we should do our homework in advance to understand the differences and distinctions in culture and read more news and newspapers. This will help us to understand them better and avoid embarrassing situations in future social interactions.
4. Safekeeping of Property
Although the UK has complete legal protections, we still cannot let down our guard. We must pay special attention to the safety of our own life and especially our property, and ensure we stay away from places with hidden dangers.
Important documents must be kept properly and copies must be kept for backup; when going out, try to carry cards and less cash, and do not show off your wealth; check the validity period of your documents and do not wait until they expire to renew them.
3. Safety tips for studying in the UK
1. Accommodation safety tips
Most of the school dormitories are managed by dedicated personnel. In case of accidents, there is usually an emergency notification system or security personnel can quickly rescue you, so you don’t have to worry too much about the safety of living. However, although living in a school dormitory is relatively safer, you still need to be careful with your personal belongings. Most of the dormitories in British universities are shared by four to twelve people, so it is more complicated to have many visitors.
If you are assigned to a dormitory shared by many people or you have not yet fully known your roommates, you should carry your keys and lock the door when you leave the room, whether going to the bathroom or answering the phone. In addition, British dormitories do not always separate dormitories by gender, so female students must also be wary of sexual harassment or sexual assault. If you have any concerns in this regard, report it to the school immediately.
In addition to school dormitories, if you want to experience real British family life, or if you cannot apply for school dormitories for some reason and need to rent a house outside, choosing an off-campus dormitories is a decision that needs to be made with caution and care. In addition to understanding your roommates, the safety and convenience of the neighborhood, as well as the rights and regulations related to renting a house, are all personal and practical issues.
When looking for accommodation on your own, you should try to avoid the aforementioned areas with poor public security. As for which areas in the city are considered to have poor public security, you should consult with former seniors, the accommodation consulting office, or the international affairs office as soon as possible.
2. Safety tips for going out
In addition to the school, community and nearby cities, traveling in or outside the UK is also an important part of studying abroad. Just like living in China, whether living in a big city or a small town, it is important to be familiar with and understand your own environment.
Do not carry too much cash when going out. Keep your money in separate places. If you usually carry a handbag, do not put important documents such as cash and passport in the bag. Be alert when getting on and off public transportation.
Many people go to study in the UK away from their parents. While integrating into local life, they must also protect their own safety and pay attention to safeguarding their legal rights.
3. Common knowledge about work safety
In the UK, working in British-run companies, such as restaurants, hotels, and public hospitals, is safe. Generally, the positions that international students choose more are housekeeping, cleaning, and restaurant waiters, mainly because there are more jobs in these positions, and as long as you are willing to look for them, you can generally find a job. In the UK, you must also pay attention to obeying traffic rules, because traffic accidents often occur because you are not used to driving on the left.
Tips for studying in the UK
Summary of life strategies for studying in the UK
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