How to deal with culture shock

British culture (and the British weather!) may be very different to that of your home country. This transition from a familiar environment to an unfamiliar one is often referred to as ‘culture shock’. While everyone’s experience is different, here are a few tips on how to adapt to your new life in the UK. You may also experience some culture shock even if you have not yet travelled to London and are studying remotely, this is normal as you are adapting to a new academic system, maybe language, and experiencing new challenges.

Surround yourself with familiar things

It is important to surround yourself with objects that have personal meaning for you, such as physical photographs, a friends and family album on your phone or keepsakes from back home. Remember that you are studying and living in one of the world’s most multicultural cities, so finding familiar food should not be too difficult either!

Try something new every day

While this may seem to contradict the point above, trying something new can gradually help you overcome the feeling of culture shock and learn more about another country and its customs. You could do this by simply exploring your local neighbourhood, or joining in activities run by a Students’ Union UCL club or society, where you can meet (even if virtually) students with similar interests.

Communicate

Keeping in touch with friends and family is equally important for your wellbeing, however, do try to maintain a balance by also engaging with people around you to avoid feeling isolated. Reaching out to other students can help you create a support network and make new friends! Many other international students will be able to relate to your experience, just as many local students will be happy to share interesting aspects of their life and traditions with you. Even if you have not yet managed to arrive on campus there will be a lot of opportunities to communicate with other students online.

Make use of the support available to you

Don’t forget that there is plenty of support available for you at university, ranging from your personal tutor to wardens in your halls of residence. Students’ Union UCL offers many services and activities, and UCL has a multi-faith chaplaincy where students of all faiths or none are welcomed for pastoral and social activities.

Above all, the most important thing to remember is that culture shock is very normal, most people experience it at some stage and it is not permanent. 40% of London’s population were born outside the UK so you are in good company! The process of adapting to a new setting can increase your autonomy, raise your awareness about what aspects about your own culture you most value, and can ultimately enrich your worldview! For more advice on life in London and the UK, and on how to deal with culture shock, you can always contact International Student Support.

For more advice on life in London and the UK, and on how to deal with culture shock, you can always contact International Student Support. 

Last revised: 8 September 2021

Chris Bromley, International Student Adviser, UCL Student Support and Wellbeing