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Maintaining a Vegan or Vegetarian Diet in the UK

Written by Hailey - 16/04/2018

When I first moved to Scotland, I was nervous about my options as a vegetarian. I was accustomed to the meat substitutes and vegetarian-friendly menus that cluttered every grocery store and restaurant in Canada. Toronto has a thriving vegan and vegetarian community, with health foods and meat/dairy alternatives gaining popularity every day. After studying in England for a semester in 2016, I knew my choices would be more limited in the UK. It’s far from impossible to maintain a meat-free diet here, but you won’t find a Whole Foods Market or a vegan café on every corner.

Initially, I stressed about giving up my vegetarian amenities. My last apartment was right next to Fresh (a chain vegan restaurant in Toronto) and I had always lived within driving distance of a health food store. Moving to Scotland meant switching brands and finding new recipes. Sure, this might sound trivial to someone who doesn’t share a vegan or vegetarian diet, but it can be a big concern for a veggie if we’re not consuming all our proper nutrition. A balanced and healthy diet is important for energy, focus, and overall happiness.

It might be more challenging to maintain a vegan or vegetarian diet in the UK, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to abandon your beliefs out of convenience. There are options for you!
 

Grocery Stores

On my first trip to Morrison’s, I anticipated a challenge finding meat alternatives – Scotland loves its meat. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find a whole section dedicated to vegan and vegetarian foods, just like the grocery stores back home. I found tofu, falafel, sandwich “meats,” veggie burgers, soy and coconut yogurts, and soy/oat/nut milks. I recommend searching in large chain stores, like Morrison’s, for a greater selection of meat and dairy alternatives. I also found a big selection at my nearest health and vitamin store.

Tip: Quorn is a popular “fake meat” brand in the UK. It doesn’t taste as authentic as my favourite Canadian brands, but it does the job!
 

Restaurants

In any central location, there will almost always be a community of non-meat eaters. Luckily, this ensures you’ll find at least one local café or restaurant that caters to your diet. Although I haven’t yet explored all the vegan food spots in Aberdeen, my favourites so far are Bonobo Café and Foodstory. Bonobo is a cozy little café that serves breakfast, lunch, and beverages – all 100% vegan. I visited recently and tried their salmon and cream cheese bagel (pictured here), which was absolutely delicious. Foodstory is a larger restaurant with an equally cozy vibe and tasty vegan menu. If you ever travel to Aberdeen, I recommend these places (whether you’re vegan or not)!

All in all, there will always be choices. If you’re unhappy with the in-store vegan and vegetarian options, search online for new recipes and get creative! You can always find basic ingredients for protein-rich meals, like chickpeas, lentils, beans, Greek yogurt, tofu, cottage cheese, protein powders, nut butters, etc. There are plenty of ways to satisfy your nutritional needs. You might need to make some compromises, but you won’t have to reinvent your whole diet. And if you live in a large, diverse city (i.e. London, Glasgow, etc.), you might not encounter any limitations or differences at all. I recommend exploring your options online while researching your future university town – it might save you some stress when you move. If you’re interested in starting the research process, please contact one of our Across the Pond advisors for more information.

 

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Study in Wales - UK - Across the Pond Canada

5 Reasons You Should Study in Wales

Written by Mackenzie - 12/04/2018

Wales is a beautiful and seriously underrated country! Read on for Across the Pond’s top five reasons you should study in Wales.

  1. The natural beauty of Wales

Wales has got it all. Ocean-side beaches, sweeping green valleys, and impressive mountain ranges! There are three national parks in Wales: Snowdonia (including the mountain Snowdon itself, which is the highest mountain in Wales at 3560 feet), Brecon Beacons, and Pembrokeshire Coast. The latter even boasts its own Stonehenge, in the form of Pentre Ifan – an ancient Neolithic set of 7 principal stones. The beaches come in all forms, including crystal clear aqua waters reminiscent of the tropics as well as jagged and rocky cliff faces on the ocean. The mountains and valleys are stunning any time of year, and bear a striking resemblance to a far off and fictional lands (Middle Earth, anyone?).
 

  1. Castle capital 

Staged beautifully within the natural landscape of Wales are the hundreds of castles that remain as reminders of the centuries of history the country has seen. There are about 600 castles in Wales alone, and of these 600, 100 are still visibly standing or in ruins. When you compare the size of the entire UK with Canada, you can get a sense of how impressive this is! These castles come in all shapes and sizes, from fortifications and motte-and-bailey to medieval and gothic revival. Many of them can be visited throughout the year, and allow the visitor free reign to explore the winding passageways and courtyards within. 
 

  1. Legends of Wales

Wales is steeped in history, but the mythology and legends that are woven into the history is what makes the country even more unique. For example, Dinas Emrys in North West Wales was said to be there the Celtic King Vortigern tried to build his castle in the mountainside, but every night the structure would crumble and break. The wizard Merlin (yes, King Arthur’s Merlin) told Vortigern it was because there were two dragons in the mountain that were tearing it down each night. Vortigern had the mountain dug into and they were discovered: one red dragon and one white dragon. They awoke and began to fight each other. Eventually the white dragon lost and fled, and the red dragon returned to the mountain – this same red dragon can now be seen on the national flag of Wales.
 

  1. Affordable cost of living

If you have always dreamed of living and studying in the UK, but aren’t quite sure how you will plan for the financial aspect, you might consider Wales. Universities in Wales are frequently among the most affordable in the UK in terms of both tuition as well as cost of living. 
 

  1. Location, location, location!

The fifth and final reason to choose Wales is its location. It is at the doorstep of the rest of the UK, and has excellent transport links that will get you wherever you need to go. While we recommend seeing as much of the UK as you can see, we also recommend exploring Wales itself! There is so much to see and discover in this beautiful country.

 

If you would like to find out more about studying in Wales or the rest of the UK, please contact one of our Advisors.

 

 

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Study in London - Things to do - Across the Pond Blog

Things To Do in Your Spare Time in London

Written by Across the Pond Student Ambassador - 01/08/2023

There are endless ways to fill your spare time as a student in London. Every week I discover new things and new places that are off the beaten track. I study and live in East London, so I admit that I’m partial to this side of the city – but there are great things to explore all across the tube network. Here’s a list of my favourite things to do when I get a spare moment between assignments in London.
 

Have a drink and a wander in Shoreditch

I spend a lot of time in Shoreditch. It’s in East London, but it’s accessible enough that my friends across the city aren’t too bothered to travel over. The streets are historic and quirky, there are lots of nice shops if you’re around during the day, and there is no shortage of fun places to get a drink or a bite to eat at any time. The bars are offbeat and generally more affordable than places in central London.
 

Stroll down the South Bank

The South Bank is one of my favourite places in London. If you’re up for a long walk, you can wander all the way down the Thames from Westminster to Tower Bridge, catching iconic London sights on the way (including Big Ben, the National Theatre, St. Paul’s cathedral, Millennium Bridge, and the Tower of London). The south bank also offers its own activities, so check out what they have on.

View of St. Paul's Cathedral from the South Bank

View of St. Paul's Cathedral from the South Bank

Museum and Gallery Lates

At the end of the month, many museums and galleries in London pick a night to stay open and host a museum “lates”. During lates, museums won’t close until around 10pm and they’ll serve drinks that you can sip while you peruse the exhibits. It’s such a great way to experience some of the most well-known centres of art and history in the world, including the Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, and the Victoria and Albert. And as a bonus, entrance is free! It’s one of my favourite ways to spend a Friday night in London. Look on the museum’s individual website to find their dates for the month.

The Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum

Greenwich

There is so much to do in Greenwich; the parks are beautiful, the pubs are cute, and it’s home to such activities as the Royal Observatory and the Maritime Museum. It takes you a little out of the hustle and bustle of central London, but it’s still very accessible by DLR. It’s a great place to venture when the city gets a little overwhelming, especially on a sunny day.
 

Catch a movie at the Genesis theatre

The Genesis is well-known among locals as a cool place to be in the East End. You can catch everything from big blockbuster movies to indie films and special showing nights. The theatre also has a café, a bar, and a restaurant inside of it – you actually don’t even need a movie ticket to hang out there. They even have live music some nights. The theatres are tiny and cozy, and they offer discounts for students. Compared to the big IMAX cinemas, it’s very affordable.
 

Spend a casual afternoon in Victoria Park

Hyde Park and St. James Park get a lot of attention, but Victoria Park is my personal favourite. There aren’t really any tourists, and on a sunny Sunday afternoon its filled with families walking their dogs and kids learning to ride bikes. It’s a great place to sit with a coffee or kick a football around. There’s also a great bakery and café in the park called ‘The Pavilion’ that makes a mean eggs benedict. While you’re in this area:

  • Wander down the canal in either direction, it’s beautiful!
  • Stop in the local shops on nearby Roman Road; there is even a market several days of the week.
     

Visit Columbia Road Flower Market

To round off my list, here is a last East London treasure. Every Sunday, no matter the season or the weather, flower vendors bring their stock to Columbia Road. Even if you’re not shopping, it’s lovely and colourful to just browse. Go first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds and take home the best flowers or go late in the day for the last-minute discounts as vendors try to sell off their stock. Visit a nearby Hackney café for brunch while you’re there.

Loleini Free time3

Sunflowers at the Columbia Road Flower Market

 

If you would like to find out more about studying in the UK, please contact one of our Advisors.

Links used: https://southbank.london/; https://www.genesiscinema.co.uk/home

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"Oh So British" Charity Shops, Afternoon Tea & Eclectic Shopping Markets

"Oh So British" Charity Shops, Afternoon Tea & Eclectic Shopping Markets

Written by admin - 03/04/2018

Apr 3, 2018 3:00:00 PM
Updated 18 July 2024 by Advisor Brittany. 
 

Many wonderful things about quintessential English culture compelled me to study there: The fabulous accent, the double decker buses, the fish and chips but there is so much I happily discovered that I think of as “Oh so British” that made my year positively, well, brilliant (my quintessentially British new favorite word)!

 

1. Afternoon Tea

The first is afternoon tea and I indulged in it as often as possible. We connect tea and Britain pretty easily from characters on TV and in film with "afternoon tea" being the epitome of culture. Well, I’m happy to say it’s something I would indulge in on a whim and recommend it as often as possible. In Canterbury, where I studied at the University of Kent, my favorite places were Tiny Tim’s Tearoom off the High Street (and not only is the tea delightful and yummy you also get to boast having eaten in the most haunted building in Canterbury), and in the center of the city is the charming Moat Tearooms with scrumptious sweets and the best toast and marmalade I’ve ever had. And be sure to visit their secret garden for an extra special afternoon! In London and pretty much anywhere in the British Isles you can find a tea room to rave about and if you fancy doing a spot of sightseeing while you indulge in tea sandwiches and a decadent scone with clotted cream be sure to book at B-Bakery’s afternoon tea bus tour.

 

2. Charity Shops

Charity shops have become a bit of a joyous obsession and you’ll find at least one if not, like Canterbury, more than 10 just in the city center alone. The charities they raise money for range from finding cures for cancer to providing housing and food for the homeless and animal protection. And because I didn’t bring very much with me when I left for England, I was able to stock my dorm kitchen and room with essentials, buy rain gear and countless articles of clothing all for affordable prices while giving back to the community in my new home. For the best in Charity shops check out this article.

 

3. Local Markets 

For more fun shopping opportunities as wells as great places to people watch I found myself drawn to local markets that ranged from pop-up weekend events to daily arts and themed markets. In Canterbury there are daily markets along the High Street and in small lots behind or in between cobbled streets offering local produce, clothing, antiques and housewares at affordable prices. In London I can spend all day on the weekends going from market to market in beautiful old buildings or covered, open-air markets selling crafts and food, jewelry, vintage clothing and electronics. My favorites are Covent Garden, The Old Spitalfield and Greenwich Market.

Be sure to also check out Camden Market for some great vintage finds and delicious food choices, as well as Borough Market for some amazing British and modern foods!

Because markets are so ingrained into the British culture, it's also a great way to do some inexpensive grocery shopping (especially if you're located in old market towns like Kingston or Leicester).

These markets provide a great opportunity to explore different neighborhoods enjoying the unique culinary offerings and all the different cultural venues near each one. When getting to know the City, I would customize a day or two by planning to visit a market and then explore the local museums, galleries and walking tours near each and before I knew it I’d gotten to know and love so much beyond the traditional tourist areas. A helpful article for the best of London markets go to. And if you find yourself in Britain around the Christmas holiday season you’ll be treated to even more market offerings some that will mirror German and Eastern European markets and others that will be quintessentially “Oh so British.”

 

If you would like to find out more about studying in the UK, please contact one of our Advisors.

 

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Grocery Shopping in the UK

Written by admin - 28/03/2018

Mar 28, 2018 12:00:00 PM

Making the move to study in England is a big decision, you’re leaving your friends, family, bed, and the comforts of your own home. As exciting and life-changing this experience is, it can also be a big adjustment, one such adjustment is grocery shopping. Coming from Canada we are used to everything being big, maybe not as big compared to our southern neighbors, but for the most part things are quite over-sized. Everything from our coffees, to our highways, and especially our grocery stores. Not only are our grocery stores huge, each offering every possible thing you could imagine, they are also everywhere, located at every possible interval within a city. In England this is just not the case.

The size of the grocery stores here was the first thing to strike me. You’ll find that the stores in the UK are smaller, maybe 5 or 6 aisles holding the necessities such as bread, milk, some vegetables, and a selection of frozen foods. The bigger, better stocked grocery stores are often not centrally located but are easy enough to get to on public transport.

The main chains are Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s. Morrisons stores tend to be the biggest centrally located and you can find a wide variety of local and international foods. You’ll find an abundance of small Tesco express stores scattered throughout cities, as well as Sainsbury’s local stores where you can pick up the essentials.

Grocery.jpg

A major bonus for a vegetarian like me is the availability of farmers markets and produce stands. These shops offer a range of fresh and local fruits and vegetables at cheaper prices and with less waste than the chain stores. Also, as a bit of a health nut I was pleasantly surprised at the presence of health food stores where you can pick up bulk items such as nuts, seeds, and meat alternatives. International grocery stores can also be found scattered throughout cities, including Asian and African supermarkets. This comes in handy for students who are worried about missing comforts of home! 

Despite the ranging options of supermarkets there a few things that are missing from the British food selection. First of all, the selection of breakfast cereals is majorly lacking. Do not expect and entire aisle dedicated to your favorite breakfast staple. Secondly, for peanut butter lovers such as myself, the natural variety does not taste the same as in Canada, however almond butter has since become a staple in my diet.

Although, not everything is the same, it is always an adventure going food shopping and discovering new brands and products you have never heard of before. If you too want to explore a new culinary atmosphere than contact one of the Across the Pond Advisors to find out more about studying in England.  

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Study in the UK - London - Student Housing - Accommodation - Across the Pond Canada

Student Housing in London

Written by Across the Pond - 16/03/2018

The housing situation in London was one of my main hesitations when I considered moving to the city. It’s intimidating to face as a young student, especially if you’re on a budget (like me). The good news is that tens of thousands of students navigate this process in London every year, and it shouldn’t be a deterrent for living in one of the best cities in the world. To help prepare you, I’ve rounded up some of your options and the most helpful information for conquering the London housing market.
 

Student accommodation through your University

Most universities will have some kind of housing available for their first-year students. If you apply early, it can be the easiest way to make sure you have a place to live on your first day of class. University supported residence is safe, reputable, and up to a good standard. If you’re a mature student (older than 21) it’s also possible that your university will place you with other older students; this can be a wonderful thing during the orientation week parties that you may have outgrown. I attend one of the few universities in London to have their residences on campus. It’s truly a great thing to live in a great, big city, but be able to walk to class in two minutes. However, not every university has this benefit, and it can be a pain to live in uni housing 45 minutes away from campus. This is an important thing to look up before choosing your accommodation. The tricky thing is that many London universities will only allow you to live in housing during your first year – after that you’re on your own.
 

Private student accommodation

There are a number of private student accommodation companies in London. Reputable companies like IQ and Liberty provide very high-quality housing in the student dorm style across the city. The downside is that these places are usually far more expensive, and their leases generally last for the entire year – so you must commit to paying rent all summer. The bonus is that the rooms are usually far nicer than university accommodation, and you still get the safe, social environment of living with students. This option will also be available over the course of your entire degree.
 

Flat sharing

Many of my friends found a place to live through websites like spareroom, where people advertise a room in their home to rent. This can be the most affordable route, and you might end up living with a cool group of people. The downside is that you lose a lot of the comforts that come with student organised accommodation; you need to keep an eye out for shady landlords, and you may encounter problems with your flatmates that can’t be fixed by a designated person in charge. But it’s a great option if you’re looking for both accommodation and some roommates. 
 

Finding a place with a group

It’s also possible to bring a group of people together and find a house or flat to live. Many people do this in the later years of their degree. You may also be able to find flatmates in networks you are a part of already. You can post in Facebook groups for alumni of your school and find likeminded people that also need a place to live in London. You have many options, and places can come furnished or unfurnished.

Be conscious that with the competitive market, you might need a guarantor that resides in the UK, reference checks, or to pay additional agency fees. These things might make it more difficult or more expensive, so ask lots of questions and do your research beforehand.
 

Helpful tips

  • Look for your accommodation in August – things open-up later when other students move out.
  • Take advantage of any help your university provides. They might have a specific database for off-campus housing, or provide resources about your rights as a tenant and best practices for navigating the system.
  • Thoroughly evaluate a place the first time you see it. Once you see a place you like, you have to take it immediately.
  • Check out the travel zone that the accommodation is in – it will affect the cost of travelling into university (you are charged for passing through a zone, even if you don’t stop in it).

 

London is so big and there are so many people, there will always be a place to live and flatmates to find. You shouldn’t let the challenge of finding a place scare you from living in this incredible city!

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Fashion in London

Written by admin - 13/03/2018

Mar 13, 2018 12:00:00 PM

 

After 6 months of living in London I am finally starting to become familiar with the typical street style here and am feeling more and more confident in both myself and my fashion sense. When I told my friends and family that I was moving to London of course the first thing they all told me was to get a good rain coat and pair of rain boots. Since moving here though I have learned that London and its style is about so much more than just the rain! The street style here is incredible and it sometimes amazes me the outfits people put together with basic items that both you and I probably have in our closets. These are some of the main points I have learned while living here:


Layers

The weather here is London is ever-changing and therefore difficult to dress for if you are headed out for a full day. I have experienced, rain, wind, and sun all within a few hours of leaving my house and discovered that wearing layers is the best option to be comfortable at all times. Being able to strip down to just a t-shirt or blouse when the sun is out is always a good feeling, but when the wind picks up and the sun goes behind a big cloud you’ll be happy that you have you have a sweater or two plus a scarf to bundle back up with. I suggest lighter pieces of clothing to be used for layers as the only thing worse than being overdressed for the weather is being overdressed in thick, uncomfortable pieces of clothing. A bonus layer to wear is a nice scarf! Londoners here love using scarves as both a fashion statement and an extra layer to keep warm during the colder winter months!

 

Keep It Simple Yet Classy

In London it’s easy to spot a traveler versus a local based on what they are wearing. Street style here is chic, yet casual. What I’ve noticed is that an everyday outfit for someone for someone from London is what you and I might consider a dressy or formal outfit. I’m not saying people are walking around in gowns and tuxedos, but blue or black jeans are usually worn with nice jackets and proper shoes as opposed to say sneakers and a hoodie.  You typically won’t find locals out and about in ‘comfort clothes’ such as leggings or sweats unless it’s for a quick jaunt to the corner store and back. One trend that is sticking around though is wearing sneakers with a nicer outfit. So many companies are coming out with runners that are meant to be worn casually and not just to the gym and I love it as it allows me to still be stylish while also being comfortable. Some photos below show what I mean!


Fashion1-1.jpg

Source: atdigit/Shutterstock.com

Source: Andrey Arkusha/ Shutterstock.com
Source: Andrey Arkusha/ Shutterstock.com

Get a Good Coat

Honestly this is one of my biggest pieces of advice when people ask what to pack if they are moving to London (or the UK in general) – get a good coat that you can wear everyday with everything! I highly suggest a nice long wool coat in a neutral grey or camel colour! You can dress it up and wear it formally if needed, or can wear it with sneakers and jeans like pictured above. I’ve noticed that plaid is becoming more and more popular as well and is becoming a staple along with other basic colours. The weather typically requires at least one layer or coat and so having a staple jacket that you can wear all the time is definitely worth the investment! Photos below show some of my favourites!

 

Source: Yuriy Galub/Shutterstock.com

Source: Yuriy Galub/Shutterstock.com

Source: Garetsworkshop/Shutterstock.com

Source: Garetsworkshop/Shutterstock.com



I love the London style and am excited to see what the warmer spring and summer seasons will bring! I highly recommend looking up London fashion and street style bloggers should you want more information. If you are looking for inspiration Pinterest is an amazing source that will help spur your creativity to create some iconic fashion looks as well! If you want to see and experience this for yourself, Across The Pond can help. Please contact one of our Advisors if you would like to find out more about studying in the UK. 

 

 

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Travelling Abroad While Abroad

Written by Hailey - 28/02/2018

Living abroad inspires you to travel. It educates you on new places and cultures through the places you visit and the people you meet. Since moving to Scotland, I’ve gained a heightened respect for other cultures, as I’ve spoken to many different people from around the world. The people you meet abroad are reason alone to travel – I now have connections throughout Europe, the United States, Mexico, and even Dubai. These are people I’ve met while studying and working in Aberdeen, but also through travelling. Luckily, travelling while abroad is incredibly easy, even on a student budget.

Below are some of my top reasons to travel while abroad:
 

Affordability

Most Canadians will understand how expensive it is to travel outside Canada. Flights to Europe, Asia, Australia, etc. are long and expensive journeys. It’s also not cheap to travel within Canada. I’m often embarrassed to admit that I’ve only seen Toronto and Montreal. But living in the UK is another story. Affordable airlines, trains, and busses make it cheap and easy to travel to nearby countries and within the UK.
 

Learning about new cultures

I believe it’s extremely important to have an understanding of different cultures while living abroad. Travelling offers an opportunity to step outside your individual experience and learn about other people and lifestyles. Just yesterday, I bought a “Polish for Dummies” book. One of my close friends is from Poland and we’re planning to visit Warsaw together this summer.
 

Bond with friends – or yourself 

Travelling with friends can be a great bonding experience. You’ll create memories together that you can share long into the future. It also gives you something fun to anticipate and plan as a team.

Travelling alone can also be an enriching experience. If you’ve never travelled by yourself, I recommend doing it at least once. I travelled to Barcelona for five days in December before heading home to Toronto for the holidays. This was my first experience vacationing alone. It felt lonely at first, but this trip quickly became one of my favourite vacations. Travelling alone pushes you WAY out of your comfort zone. I rented a room in an Airbnb apartment and filled my days and evenings with activities around the city. I spoke to so many new people, and even made a couple new friends, simply by pushing myself to venture into the city and interact with others. This is an independence you can only gain on your own.
 

Conversation pieces

I love when people compliment my sweater and I get to respond with: “Thanks, I bought it in Barcelona!” In all seriousness, travelling gives you new perspectives and ideas that you can bring to conversations with your friends and family – just try not to make them too jealous!
 

Travel Hacks/Tips

Travelling has taught me several useful hacks for navigating an enjoyable (and affordable) student vacation:

  1. Airbnb:

We’ve all used Airbnb for affordable rooms, apartments, and houses. But did you know the website also offers “experiences?” I discovered this section by accident while booking my room for Barcelona. The concept is the same as booking an accommodation, except it’s used for events and excursions instead. Airbnb experiences are posted by locals who offer unique activities at affordable prices. You can sign up for tours, hikes, bike rides, dance lessons, live music, wine tastings – the list goes on. I signed up for both a hike and coffee tasting in Barcelona, which helped me learn more about the city and meet new friends.

  1. Budget flights:

Cheap airlines are great because, well, they’re cheap. But these airlines are cheap for a reason. Always pack your own snacks, as they do not provide free on-flight food. Also, bring an empty water bottle to fill for the flight once you’ve passed through security.

  1. Travel in the off-season:

I travelled to Barcelona during the city’s off-season for tourism, which I believe made all the difference in my experience. My hike and coffee tasting only included one other person in each event; this is the reason I connected with people so quickly. Off-seasons attract fewer crowds, making it easier to travel to popular locations. Also, you avoid being lumped in with hordes of tourists.

 

I believe it’s beneficial to immerse yourself in new cultures while studying abroad. Take every opportunity to travel while you’re here, as there’s no greater moment to experience the world than right now.

 

 To begin your global adventure, please get in touch with one of our Across the Pond advisors.

 

 

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Befriending Other International Students

Written by Ambassador Loleini - 26/02/2018

One of my favourite parts about studying in the UK is meeting other international students. And while it’s absolutely important to make friends with locals, I find that international students tend to gravitate towards one another. Here are a few reasons why.
 

They want the same things as you

International students are more likely to be looking for the same experience as you. They’ll probably be more interested in travelling on study breaks and exploring the city where you live. There are so many opportunities for travelling around the UK and Europe, and I’ve found that it’s usually international friends that are up for these trips. It makes for a different university experience when you haven’t grown up in the country and you have a limited time to enjoy it. If there’s a cool event or pub to visit, international students don’t always have the luxury of saying “I’ll go next time”. We tend to make the most of the time we do have. 
 

You have different nationalities, but you probably have similar personalities

Despite being from different backgrounds, you and your international friends probably have compatible personalities. It takes a certain type of person to pick up and move to a new continent. You’re probably adventurous, independent, and interested in the world. Of course, every international student is unique, but having those qualities in common can lead to a quick friendship. You will probably find yourself gravitating towards these peers because you have similar ways of seeing the world. You’d be surprised at how many barriers you can overcome when you have a shared love of travel.
 

You become a family

There’s a special bond that forms when you are so far away from home. Your family might be many time zones away and not awake to answer a call when you need them. You’re away for holidays and birthdays, and your mom isn’t around to make you soup when you inevitably get sick. Your fellow international students are in the same boat. They become your family when you don’t have your own close by. Together, you bake cakes on birthdays and cook Thanksgiving meals. You become a strong support system, and you understand each other’s struggles. It makes for a very special relationship.
 

It’s hard to leave, but you form lasting international bonds

It’s not always easy. Despite all the fun, time abroad doesn’t last forever; it’s an incredibly unique experience to make close bonds and then months or years later, go in different directions home to entirely different countries. It’s bittersweet to build a support system and then later have that support be accessible only by skype.  

But it’s worth it. When you make friends with international students, you gain couches to sleep on all over the world. You learn about new cultures, foods to eat, and languages. You learn to associate places in the world with the people that you’ve met – a magical thing that can crush stereotypes and make you a more compassionate and understanding world citizen.

Before I moved to the UK to do my law degree, I studied abroad for a year during my undergraduate degree. Although that experience was several years ago now, I still talk to the international friends I made every single day. When I spent the summer backpacking, I planned my route to stop in all the countries where I could visit friends. International connections have brought me to small villages and big cities that I would never have expected to visit. And because neither one of you is from the country where you studied, you can spend hours reminiscing on the places you miss.

Ultimately, international students are the people who truly understand the experience that you’ve had, long after you left.

If you would like to find out more about studying in the UK, please contact one of our Advisors.

 

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4 Tips for Making Friends in the UK

Written by Advisor - 23/02/2018

I have always envied the people who can enter new situations and immediately become best friends with someone else. Although I like to think of myself as friendly, it always takes me a bit of time and multiple interactions to form a close and lasting relationship, making travelling across the world, away from my friends and family quite intimidating. Would people like me? Would I make friends? Would I find travel buddies to pop over to Europe with? Would I have people to grab a coffee or pint with on a Friday? If you are also agonizing over these types of questions, let me assure you that the answer to all them is a resounding yes! But if my word is simply not enough, let me highlight a few tips to make the friend-making process a little easier.
 

Embrace the awkwardness

Believe it or not, everyone in your new program is suffering with the same feelings of unease about meeting new people as you, so embrace it! Even if you are not an outgoing person, simply saying hello is a great place to start. I was lucky in the sense that my program only has 17 people in in, so inevitably we had to get to know each other, but even if you are in a bigger cohort striking up a conversation with the person sitting next you will get the ball rolling. Asking them where they are from or recommendations on where to get the best fish and chips will help break the ice. Know that you will not click with everyone, but you have to put yourself out there and risk being a little awkward to find those who you do click with!
 

Join a club

Universities are amazing today in offering clubs and societies to appeal to every intertest and hobby imaginable. At the Uni of Leeds, we have over 300 clubs ranging from wine tasters to surfing. Joining one or more of these groups provides a great and easy way to expand your friend network with people who share similar interests as you. I joined the hiking society when I arrived, and on top of attending organized, guided hikes across the UK, they also host weekly socials where you can go and get to know new people in a really laid back and fun environment. I joined the club with two of course mates, so not only was I am to meet new people in the club, it also brought me closer together with them, so if you are nervous about joining alone this could be a good way to break the ice with someone you want to get to know better.
 

 Attend events

Throughout the year tons of events are held both through the university and city that you can and should attend! These are things such as expert talks from visiting professors, farmers markets, or wine and beer festivals. No matter the time of year, there will always be something going on. These events are not only fantastic ways to meet people, but also gives you a chance to invite someone that you have class with or a flat mate to attend with you in order to get better acquainted.
 

Get connected

Last but not least is to make sure when you first meet someone to get their contact info. This can be as simple as adding them on Facebook or following them on Instagram, just a way that you can connect in the future. There is nothing worse then finding someone you really get on with in class or at a party and then not being able to find them again!

All in all, meeting people in Uni is a little intimidating, but not difficult. Brits are really friendly and will always be up for a trip to the pub, you just have to be willing to put yourself out there! If you are wondering how you can find your British BFF please contact one of our advisors here.

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