7 Tips for Students Who Want to Study in London

Students who want to study in London to experience the learning abroad experience often have a number of questions and uncertainties. These seven tips will answer some of the more important questions. Covering areas as diverse as choosing a college, getting a part-time job and shopping at thrift shops, these suggestions will make the learning abroad experience easier and more interesting.

1. Choose a college based on courses, not on prestige or location. There is little point in spending the time, effort and money to study in London, only to take courses that are irrelevant or will not transfer. This is perhaps the most important consideration in deciding if and where to attend college in London.

2. Consider the cost of accommodations. Many colleges do not provide housing on campus, although many others do. Lodgings in London can be quite expensive. It is important to decide on the affordability and manageability of accommodations before choosing a college.

3. In London, to travel between lectures and to get around the city for tourism and recreation, use public transport. Driving in London is difficult for non-natives. In addition, the cost of owning and maintaining a car and paying for fuel will increase the overall cost of study in London. Taking the tube also allows for more of an authentic experience of London.

4. Many international students choose to work part-time while attending college in London. The same jobs are available in London as in any large city or college town, including working in bars, restaurants, shops or galleries. A job can make the whole study abroad experience much more affordable. Like the tube, working also provides a more native experience than spending every waking minute on campus.

5. For a great travel experience, check out the BritRail card, which provides rail travel throughout England, Wales and Scotland for 8 days. This is a fabulous opportunity to see more of Britain without spending a mint to do so.

6. Remember that many items are more expensive in London, and find the bargains. For instance, buy clothing and household items at thrift shops. These stores offer many interesting and affordable items, plus the experience of having shopped in a thrift shop in London.

7. Join up. Get involved in a club or activity such as sports or theatre. Study in London is a tremendous opportunity to do once-in-a-lifetime things. Don't miss out.

Study in London carries many advantages for students who want to travel, meet interesting people and learn about other countries and cultures. The opportunities are almost limitless and studying abroad can be a very fulfilling and enjoyable experience. Following the seven tips outlined here will make the study experience easier and more user-friendly. These suggestions should also provide valuable information toward the decision about studying in London.

Study Abroad: Adapting to Life in the UK

For any student thinking of studying abroad in the UK, there are some points that should be well understood before any definite plans are made. It's easy to get caught up in the romance, the excitement of going to London to study, to attend a prestigious university, but you're going to need to make some compromises if you really want to do it, and while these compromises are more than worth it for many young people who have the means and the opportunity to study in UK, the fact is that you should go in with both eyes open.

Chances are you've already considered some of the points on this list, but these are some of the most important things to contemplate before taking the plunge, so just make sure you've thought them through.

Culture Shock

For students who live in Canada and the US, or even Australia, the assumption may be that London is just going to be a bit like a city from your own backyard. While there will be some familiar components to UK culture, the only thing your homeland really has in common with the UK, we're sorry to say, is the language.

Don't kid yourself, it's going to take some time to adjust. Even little things like figuring out the difference between chips and crisps can be tricky, but there are a lot of social norms that will just seem alien to you. That's really part of the fun, though. There are actually America towns throughout the world, much like Chinatowns back home, where Americans can feel at home. However, if you really want to enjoy London, you probably won't want to spend much time there.

The Food

If you don't have a broad palette, it will be difficult to get used to studying abroad. The food you eat at home might not be available anywhere in the UK without finding specific ingredients and making it yourself from scratch, and you'll be confronted with all kinds of weird and exotic meals. There are a lot of jokes made about English food, but the culinary culture of the country has changed dramatically for the better in the last decade. Even so, you're going to be met with some weird stuff.

If you're a really picky eater, you'll want to get over that before you move to the UK. Try exposing yourself to some weird, out there stuff and see how you react. Once you build up an acceptance of new foods, you'll find it easy to enjoy new flavors and delicacies.

The Transport

Part of learning your way around the UK is learning your way around the transport. The public transportation system is actually vast and complex enough that you don't need to drive at all as long as you're staying in the UK. However, it can be very labyrinthine and easy to get lost in, so make sure you get a few maps and study them when you first arrive.

Study in London Money Matters

When you decide to study in London, there are many matters that need to be taken care of before you leave. Money matters are among of those issues. Certainly, the last thing you wish to have happen is to arrive in your new home and discover that you have neglected to ensure you have money on hand. The decision to study abroad does require preparation and you need to be assured you have adequate finances during your time abroad. A few basic precautions prior to leaving can assure you do not encounter problems later on. 

First, it is a good idea to have local currency before arriving. In London this is not as much of a problem, but if you intend to travel to some of the smaller outlying towns and villages where businesses are primarily owner-operated you might encounter difficulties. Some markets and shops will not accept traveller's cheques. Before exploring make sure you exchange some cash into local currency. 

A debit card is the best way to withdraw money when using an ATM. Prior to leaving home; however, make sure you check with your bank to be certain you will not be charged an additional fee if you need a different currency. ATM charges can quickly add up, so it is a good idea to try to minimise the number of transactions you make. Also, make sure you are always aware of the amount of money you are withdrawing. Most ATMs impose daily limits regarding the amount of money you can withdraw, regardless of your account balance. 

You should also always make sure you are prepared for the unexpected when you are preparing to study in London. Always have some emergency cash just in case your card is not accepted or a place of business only accepts cash. This can be particularly important if you decide to explore outside London during your off-time. 

Visa and Mastercard tend to be most widely accepted throughout most areas, including London. Still, it is a good idea to always ask whether your card is accepted before assuming. When travelling, make sure you always have copies of your each of your credit cards. Never carry your copies with the original cards. You should also make sure you have contact numbers for all debit cards and credit cards. This will make it easier for your cards to be re-issued if they are lost or stolen while you are studying abroad. 

Finally, when you decide to study in London, make sure you become familiar with the local currency. Keep large bills separated from smaller bills to avoid fumbling around when you are paying for everyday expenses. Many new students find the most difficult aspect of studying abroad in London to be the exchange rates. Once you are there for awhile you should begin to find yourself thinking in terms of Sterling rather than constantly having to convert in your mind when making purchases. Becoming familiar with the currency before leaving can help to make this transition much easier.