Choosing UK for your higher studies is a great choice because of the quality of education you receive here. I chose Sheffield, and I enjoyed my time here for my studies but definitely had some problems in adjusting to the new environment as an international student. Here are some of the problems I faced with the tips that helped me settle in;
Forgetting the directions of University:
This has to be the first problem I faced since I am not good at remembering directions and in order to find the university buildings in Sheffield for the first time, I used to carry a map in my hands all the time. It was difficult at first but after 2-3 weeks I could remember all the directions of the university buildings I had to go for lectures. The good news is people of Sheffield are really friendly; even if you are lost, you can always find someone to help you with directions. Also the key is to keep wandering around and you become an expert in finding locations.
Finding food options relevant to my taste and culture:
I had come to UK from Asia, and thus I have a peculiar taste, that is why I prefer to cook myself. Initially it was difficult to find all the spices or meat items I would like, but with help from my housemates and course fellows, I realized that almost everything I need for cooking Asian food is available here. You just need to wander around your area to find the right shops
Communication issues with housemates:
If you are living in a shared house, it is very likely that you may have communication issues with your housemates, as they are often all from different countries and you may not even understand in the beginning about what they are saying. Some are not very co-operative too. For this situation, try to have a friendly chat with one or 2 members of your house, try to know them because the more you talk with each other about billing issues and other house rules, the more you can all come to a same page. Just be respectful and open to suggestions.
Getting to know the study structure at the University:
This is a challenge often for international students to understand the grading procedure, assignment requirements of each course, which was a challenge for me too. I sorted it out after reviewing all the course handouts of each module and highlighted the important information about course structure and within few weeks I was able to cope well with my studies.
There may be many challenges at first in your study period and it is all a part of process. Just be patient and keep trying. You will surely get there!
Best Wishes
Maha