Page 92 iStudy Guide 2019/20
P. 92
92
iStudy
2019/20
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF STUDYING IN THE UK
Just like with any new beginning, starting university is a nerve-racking experience, even more so if you
decide to study abroad. Either way, you will be overcome with doubts and challenges, which will no
doubt build our perseverance and character further than any educational institution ever could. Being
an international student means not only opening a new chapter, but starting a new volume. Being far
from home and everything you consider safe and familiar, is scary, but it also allows you to experience the
world through entirely new lenses. It is an experience in which the advantages outweigh the hardships.
LANGUAGE
FEELING HOMESICK
TOP TIP
TOP TIP
English can often be underestimated. Although it is
easy to learn, you can never know a language in its
entirety, and studying in England will definitely prove
that. In the first week of my studies, I was constantly
asking people to repeat their questions and blamed
myself for not understanding them to the point I
questioned my choice of course. The locals’ dialect was
far from anything I had heard before, which often left
me puzzled and frustrated with myself. It did not take
me long to realise though that even native speakers
fail to understand each other at times.
It is natural that you will feel homesick the first few
weeks. I am already used to living abroad, but I still
have times when I just wish to be home. Being an
international student is sometimes lonesome – you
miss your friends and family, your home and pets
and perhaps even your favourite pillow. Everything
is different – the street you live in, the food at the
supermarket, the traffic directions, the language and
the culture.
A common mistake for students who feel
homesick is to become closed off. The
more you hesitate to explore the new
environment and to come out of your
shell, the harder it will get. The best way to
deal with homesickness is to just stay busy
and socialise – find new friends by joining
student groups and societies or join a sport
you are passionate about. However, do not
give up if an attempt does not turn out with
a satisfactory result.
England has many different dialects and
accents to confuse you with. The best way to
deal with it is to just have patience. As simple
as it sounds, a language is best learned
when practised. Do not discourage yourself
to communicate and do not hesitate to ask
for people to repeat something, if you do
not understand. Few people would actually
mind, and you will be surprised how little
time it takes to get a grip of the language.
iStudy
2019/20
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF STUDYING IN THE UK
Just like with any new beginning, starting university is a nerve-racking experience, even more so if you
decide to study abroad. Either way, you will be overcome with doubts and challenges, which will no
doubt build our perseverance and character further than any educational institution ever could. Being
an international student means not only opening a new chapter, but starting a new volume. Being far
from home and everything you consider safe and familiar, is scary, but it also allows you to experience the
world through entirely new lenses. It is an experience in which the advantages outweigh the hardships.
LANGUAGE
FEELING HOMESICK
TOP TIP
TOP TIP
English can often be underestimated. Although it is
easy to learn, you can never know a language in its
entirety, and studying in England will definitely prove
that. In the first week of my studies, I was constantly
asking people to repeat their questions and blamed
myself for not understanding them to the point I
questioned my choice of course. The locals’ dialect was
far from anything I had heard before, which often left
me puzzled and frustrated with myself. It did not take
me long to realise though that even native speakers
fail to understand each other at times.
It is natural that you will feel homesick the first few
weeks. I am already used to living abroad, but I still
have times when I just wish to be home. Being an
international student is sometimes lonesome – you
miss your friends and family, your home and pets
and perhaps even your favourite pillow. Everything
is different – the street you live in, the food at the
supermarket, the traffic directions, the language and
the culture.
A common mistake for students who feel
homesick is to become closed off. The
more you hesitate to explore the new
environment and to come out of your
shell, the harder it will get. The best way to
deal with homesickness is to just stay busy
and socialise – find new friends by joining
student groups and societies or join a sport
you are passionate about. However, do not
give up if an attempt does not turn out with
a satisfactory result.
England has many different dialects and
accents to confuse you with. The best way to
deal with it is to just have patience. As simple
as it sounds, a language is best learned
when practised. Do not discourage yourself
to communicate and do not hesitate to ask
for people to repeat something, if you do
not understand. Few people would actually
mind, and you will be surprised how little
time it takes to get a grip of the language.
