Living in London as an international student

26 May 2026

Living in London as an International Student

If you have arrived in London for an international degree, it is likely that you have left your family and friends back home and come here alone to live independently. London is a city of rush and a busy lifestyle, where people are often absorbed in their phones while travelling on tubes and trains, mostly unbothered by their surroundings.

It becomes your responsibility to look after yourself — taking care of your health, managing accommodation, cooking, groceries, and university work all at the same time. In the end, it all comes down to one word: balance.

In this journey, I can guarantee you one thing — you will grow. It can feel scary at first, but it is important to stay open to new experiences and adapt to the changes around you.

My UK Student Experience: Adjusting to Life and Studying in London

I remember my roommate and I feeling very nervous while going to Aldi for the first time to get groceries. We picked only the most important items we needed at that moment, carefully calculating the pounds for each product. We were so happy when we came back home with a bag full of groceries for around £15.

Taking the first train, navigating Google Maps, interacting with people for the first time with different accents, attending university for the first time, and finding a part-time job to manage expenses — it all felt overwhelming at once. I know it gets difficult, but you get through it with time, learning from your mistakes and developing patience along the way.

With time, you will find yourself comparing supermarkets to find cheaper grocery options, discovering free places to explore in London, and managing assignments and daily life activities late at night. In this mountain of struggles, it is important to make friends and not isolate yourself from new friendships and conversations, while also staying in touch with family back home.

The journey may feel challenging at first, with unfamiliar surroundings, new responsibilities, and moments when you miss the comfort of home. However, every small step — from navigating a new city and building friendships to adapting to a different culture and becoming more independent — helps you grow stronger and more confident. Looking back, you will realise that moving abroad was not just about earning a degree; it was about discovering yourself, developing resilience, and creating memories that will stay with you forever. The courage you showed by starting a new chapter in a foreign country will become one of your greatest achievements, and you will always be proud of the person you became along the way.