Welcome to Reading

Welcome to Reading! 

Living in a new country for the first time can seem like a very unusual place to be. We want to make sure that your time here is enjoyable and happy. In Living in UK category we aim to help you adjust to living in a new country, opportunities to get involved with, and much more. Along help provide you with some useful tips and resources that are available. 

If you are unsure or have a questions you always email or book an appointment with one of our adviser.

Coping with a different culture

Many students find that the impact of moving from a familiar culture to living and working in a new and different environment in the UK can take quite a bit of adjustment.

Learning the different ways of doing things, being separated from important people in your life and finding out the 'rules' of a different country can cause something known as 'culture shock'. 

This is a process that many people go through when they experience a change of environment.  Everything seems different and unfamiliar:  the language, the weather, the time zone, the social rules, the academic ways of working and expectations.  Going through a period of adjustment is quite normal, after all, everyone goes through an adjustment process when they make a major life change, such as moving to a new home or city, changing their jobs or moving to a different country.  

At first you will probably be excited about the new things you will experience such as the food, weather, culture and language, however after a short while the differences you are experiencing can become unsettling and you may even start to feel homesick.

You might begin to wonder if you have made a mistake and chosen the wrong pathway.

All of these feelings and thoughts are perfectly natural and everyone (UK and international students) will be going through an adjustment experience to some level and usually it won't last long.