Living in Kingston as an International Student
Are you an international student living abroad for the first time?
What are some worries and concerns you may have?
Living abroad on my own for the first time as an international student has taught me many life skills and given me many learning opportunities(outside of uni) I did not know I needed. Here are a few things I struggled with when I first moved to Kingston and some tips to help you along your way.
Navigating the Transport System
Learning how to navigate the complex transport system in London was one of the first few struggles I had when I first moved to Kingston. Although I walk almost everywhere in Kingston, there are times where I needed to travel to central London for an interview or just to go on a day out with friends. South Western Railway is the main train operator for Kingston and is really the only and most efficient way to get into central London (via Waterloo). Just like the tube, you can tap with your bank card all the way (from Kingston, Surbion and Norbiton), however I highly recommend getting a rail card and linking it to your oyster card for additional discounts when traveling at off-peak times. Downloading apps like CityMapper and Trainline was really a life saver in helping check for train times and various train routes to get back home especially when there is a delay. If you are planning to travel around London for a full day after 10.30am, you can get a single off peak day ticket which costs about £10.50 (with railcard discount) which covers all trains, tube and bus for the full day. 🤗
Life Admin
Upon arriving in the UK there are a few admin matters you may miss out on! If you are looking to get a part-time job in the UK you will want to look into checking if you have a National Insurance number. This is really important as all employers will ask for it during your application. 😮*💨
In regards to your health, be sure to register for a GP and note down your NHS number that should come in the mail. I fell really ill when I first came to the UK and was unable to see a doctor as I wasn’t yet registered with the NHS. It takes a while to be registered so do remember to do this as soon as you can. 😫
Dealing with Homesickness and Cultural Differences
Personally, one of the greatest struggles for me as an international student (aside from possible language barriers) is dealing with homesickness and seasonal depression. Coming from a small city with a tropical climate, it took me a while to adjust to the cold and dark winters in the UK. A few possible ways to overcome this is to find a community of your own through ethnic or faith societies and cooking some good food from home! I eventually learnt to enjoy the seasons and beautiful green spaces in Kingston while embracing different food cultures. 😍
I hope this little post gave you some insight on what it feels like as an international student in Kingston. Feel free to drop me any questions about life in Kingston or any queries you might have about the university. 🤭
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
What are some worries and concerns you may have?
Living abroad on my own for the first time as an international student has taught me many life skills and given me many learning opportunities(outside of uni) I did not know I needed. Here are a few things I struggled with when I first moved to Kingston and some tips to help you along your way.
Navigating the Transport System
Learning how to navigate the complex transport system in London was one of the first few struggles I had when I first moved to Kingston. Although I walk almost everywhere in Kingston, there are times where I needed to travel to central London for an interview or just to go on a day out with friends. South Western Railway is the main train operator for Kingston and is really the only and most efficient way to get into central London (via Waterloo). Just like the tube, you can tap with your bank card all the way (from Kingston, Surbion and Norbiton), however I highly recommend getting a rail card and linking it to your oyster card for additional discounts when traveling at off-peak times. Downloading apps like CityMapper and Trainline was really a life saver in helping check for train times and various train routes to get back home especially when there is a delay. If you are planning to travel around London for a full day after 10.30am, you can get a single off peak day ticket which costs about £10.50 (with railcard discount) which covers all trains, tube and bus for the full day. 🤗
Life Admin
Upon arriving in the UK there are a few admin matters you may miss out on! If you are looking to get a part-time job in the UK you will want to look into checking if you have a National Insurance number. This is really important as all employers will ask for it during your application. 😮*💨
In regards to your health, be sure to register for a GP and note down your NHS number that should come in the mail. I fell really ill when I first came to the UK and was unable to see a doctor as I wasn’t yet registered with the NHS. It takes a while to be registered so do remember to do this as soon as you can. 😫
Dealing with Homesickness and Cultural Differences
Personally, one of the greatest struggles for me as an international student (aside from possible language barriers) is dealing with homesickness and seasonal depression. Coming from a small city with a tropical climate, it took me a while to adjust to the cold and dark winters in the UK. A few possible ways to overcome this is to find a community of your own through ethnic or faith societies and cooking some good food from home! I eventually learnt to enjoy the seasons and beautiful green spaces in Kingston while embracing different food cultures. 😍
I hope this little post gave you some insight on what it feels like as an international student in Kingston. Feel free to drop me any questions about life in Kingston or any queries you might have about the university. 🤭
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
(edited 9 months ago)
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