Planning to study in the UK? Here’s what Nepali students should expect.

Travelling abroad to study is one of those things that you might want to do at the same time; you might find it horrifying to travel somewhere you have never been before. To get the edge off for you, we wrote this blog, my dear Nepalese students. This blog will provide you with information that you may need to be aware of as an international student in the UK.

Lifestyle

When you move to the UK from Nepal, you may notice the vast differences. One of the significant differences you may notice is lifestyle. One culture places a greater emphasis on individualism, while another gives more importance to family and culture. It should be clear which is which. We are not here to debate which culture is better or worse; we are simply making you aware of the cultural difference between these two nations. So, prepare yourself for this difference. Just because the UK is an individualistic nation doesn’t mean the Brits don’t care about friends and family; we are simply trying to convey the importance of getting to know different cultures, which can open new perspectives in life.

So, try your best to be social and learn about their culture, hobbies, sports, and other interests if you want to fit in. The residents of the UK place importance on individualism, of course, but they are generally laid-back, and at the same time, open to having friends from different parts of the world. Travel and learn about various historical places and their importance to UK culture. And of course, if you ever feel homesick, you can call your friends and family.

Punctuality and a rule-based system

As we are aware, being from this country, line cutting/traffic violations are prevalent in Nepal. You should be mindful that the Brits give importance to the fairness of the system. Therefore, you should not cut lines or break any traffic rules, as this is frowned upon. Follow the rules.

The same applies to punctuality as well. Be as punctual as you can be. Arrive on time or at least a few minutes early. Respect their culture, and they will respect you in return.

Budget

You should get accustomed to budgeting because living in the UK is expensive. Of course, you will have a hard time thinking and budgeting in Pounds at first, but after a while, you should be able to budget and live your life. So, be aware that budgeting will be challenging at first; you will feel the need to convert NRs to pounds and vice versa.

Live your life without worry

Of course, you probably want to live your life without worry already, without us telling you. Some of you may have taken a loan to study in the UK, whereas others might have invested substantial amounts of your own money as an investment, so we know it is easier said than done. But try your best to be present in the moment and enjoy your life. In the long run, it will do you good to live a happy and productive life, gradually achieving your goals one day at a time.

Food

Missing the food of your home country is a normal experience. However, you should try to enjoy the UK cuisine; if you miss food from home, you can find restaurants serving Nepalese cuisine and eat there. Of course, you won’t see as many Nepali restaurants as British or Indian ones, but still, your homesickness can be satiated.

Transportation

The UK has one of the best public transportation systems in the whole world. So, prepare yourself for the culture shock of having better and cleaner transportation than what you find in Nepal. They have an excellent metro system, classic/iconic double-decker buses, cycling spaces, and all other good stuff.

However, be aware of taxi/Uber fares, as they can be quite expensive.

Healthcare system

People living in the UK have access to the NHS. The NHS was established after WWII to care for its citizens, but it is also available to international students who are studying in the UK for at least 6 months. When you move to the UK, you should register and get regular checkups.

In conclusion

There are numerous differences between Nepal and the UK; this blog has highlighted some of them. As to why we didn’t go as deep as we could have, it's because some things are better experienced than described. Be aware of cultural differences and try your best to enjoy your time in the UK, my dear Nepalese students.