As a traditional education powerhouse, the UK has a large number of international students applying every year.Common knowledge about life in the UKHow to live as an international student in the UK, ,Living expenses for studying in the UK, ,Living expenses for studying in the UK, ,Studying in Bangli, UKThe problem.
Common knowledge about life in the UK
1. Common knowledge about life 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 jay walking is legal in the UK, people usually wait for the pedestrian crossing light to turn green before crossing the road. Unlike in China, drivers in the UK 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. Luggage items you need to bring when studying in the UK
1. Certificates and materials
When studying in the UK, there are some essential documents and materials, such as passport, visa, CAS, accommodation documents, academic qualification certificates (graduation certificate, degree certificate, university transcript and IELTS transcript), tuberculosis report, ID photo, etc. You can put these documents in a small bag or folder you carry with you.
2. Cash and credit cards
When you go to study in the UK, you can carry a small amount of cash with you. If you need to bring cash, you can usually bring the first month's living expenses. Large living expenses, rent or tuition fees should be paid in advance in China. After coming to the UK, it is recommended to open a local bank account in the UK as soon as possible for daily consumption, and international remittances are also supported.
3. Daily necessities
Daily necessities mainly include electronic products, clothing, medicines, and food:
① Electronic products: When going to study in the UK, you need to bring mobile phones, chargers, laptops, mobile hard drives and other electronic products. In addition, you can also bring 2 Chinese-English conversion plugs.
② Clothing: As long as it is clothes and shoes, in addition to carrying some daily underwear, clothing and shoes, you can also prepare a set of formal clothes, which can be used when attending graduation ceremonies or job hunting. When packing clothes, we can use vacuum storage bags to save space.
③Medicines: When studying in the UK, you can bring some common medicines with you according to your own situation, such as Isatis root granules, anti-inflammatory drugs, cooling oil, etc.; but please note that some medicines are prohibited, such as medicines containing ephedrine, medicines containing strychnine, medicines containing morphine, Chinese herbal medicines, medicines containing dihydrocodeine, etc.
④ Catering: For self-catering dormitories, students can bring some hot pot seasonings, wide noodles, instant noodles, pickles and other local delicacies.
3. Benefits for students studying in the UK
1. Free medical care
NHS (National Health Service) public health system, international students can get a number of free services including prescription drugs, dentistry, eye care, travel medical care, etc. In fact, these fees have been paid when applying.
2. International Student Card
In the UK, if students apply for an international student card, they can enjoy considerable discounts when buying train tickets, plane tickets, visiting museums, etc.
3. Shopping tax refund
You can enjoy the tax refund policy three months before your study visa expires. The store will ask for your passport number and domestic address. Keep the receipts and items so that you can get a tax refund when you leave the country within three months.
If you have many receipts from a store, you can get a master receipt from the store before you leave to ensure that the tax refund is made within three months before your departure. Please fill in the purchase amount, items and signature at the store to make it a valid tax refund form.
When you arrive at the airport customs, hand the tax refund form to the customs staff and you can choose to get cash or have it deposited into your card.
4. Work
The British government currently allows international students to work. The specific regulations are: a maximum of 20 hours per week during the semester, and full-time work during holidays. Most British institutions have dedicated staff to help students find jobs.
5. Transportation card discounts
Overseas students aged between 16 and 25 can apply for a visa at any major train station with their passport and bareheaded photo.
Young Person Rail Card, enjoy a 1/3 discount on train fares. Overseas students aged 25 and over,
You can apply for it with an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). The card fee is 27 pounds.
In addition, students in London can apply online for a 30% discount on the Oyster Card on Transport for London, which will allow them to enjoy discounted fares on the London Underground and buses.
6. Family members accompanying students
If the spouse and children under the age of 18 of international students obtain visas as family members to study in the UK, they can also enjoy many benefits: they can enjoy the same medical benefits as the international students themselves; if the international students hold a visa of more than 12 months, the spouse and children can generally work or study full-time in the UK without the need for additional permits.
7. International Students Office on Campus
British institutions generally have a special office for international students, which is responsible for providing guidance to international students in all aspects of study and life, such as visas, free medical care, housing, work, etc. Some also include psychological counseling.
Summary of common sense of life in various aspects of studying in the UK
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