When I decided that the UK was the place for me, I thought that everything was sorted out for me already.
I knew that I wanted an international education. Something which would improve my academic knowledge and skills. I also really wanted to experience being abroad.
The UK appealed to me because of its prestigious educational establishments, clear visa requirements and convenient geographic location, especially compared to other countries.
The decision on the city was a completely different story.
Figuring out my future
Sure, many students dream about studying in London. But I was more attracted to Manchester.
Manchester is literally built for students. It’s hard to explain the atmosphere of a student town unless you’ve lived it yourself, but Manchester truly has such a unique atmosphere.
It has a huge campus at the University of Manchester, an amazing number of various societies and activities, and just an amazing community.
After everything, reaching my destination was anything but what I had envisaged in my mind.
Adapting to UK life
What hit me first was the weather. It was cold.
Winter doesn’t mean much back at home. But in Manchester, there were three seasons only: rainy, windy or, most commonly, rainy and windy.
Not used to walking around and not wanting to spend all my money on Ubers, I had to adjust myself quite soon.
I won’t lie, those first couple of days were definitely not easy. Suddenly, I was alone in a completely unknown city with a lot to figure out.
That’s when the help from Vita Student became invaluable.
Finding my feet at Vita Student Circle SQUARE
Living at Circle Square has made this big life change so much easier.
The people in my building were welcoming and patient. They answered all my questions, gave me advice, and really helped me settle into place.
But if you asked me what my favourite thing about Vita Student is, it would have to be the breakfast.
Those early mornings are some of my favourite moments. Having a prepared breakfast every morning helped me gain some sense of normalcy as the days seemed to get more chaotic as each went by. Breakfast was my time to energise for the day ahead.
Getting to know UK culture
Being away from home also meant that I was exposed to cultural differences that I had no idea existed.
For instance, not everywhere accepts cash payments. I came to realise that being in Britain means you will come to rely on your cell phone and cards for most of what you do.
From the academic perspective, I learned that getting more than 70% is known to be a First-Class result, which surprised me initially. With a background in the International Baccalaureate, I didn’t find the teaching approach difficult. The size of classes at university was quite different from what I had been exposed to, though. It became more challenging to concentrate when I was not actively participating.
In some ways, my adjustment was not related to academia at all.
I’ll never forget what my reception team said to me. “There’s no question too little to ask.” And they really did mean it. From transporting heavy packages to assisting residents with facilities and around-the-clock availability, they were there for me in any way needed.
It was difficult to adjust healthcare-wise too. Scheduling GP visits can take time, especially when you are not used to the system. Being able to access GP appointments via Vita was reassuring during times when I didn’t feel well.
As I got sick frequently due to my adaptation to the climate, knowing that help would be provided made a difference.
Building connections that felt natural
Another fear for international students-to-be is about making friends.
It may seem like a difficult task. You may not even find your tribe straight away. For me, it took way more time than I thought until I met the right friends. And that was because of Vita.
I was proactive in putting myself out there and attending the events, and I’m so glad I did. The friendships I made with my Vita family are why I loved the experience so much.
My advice for international students
I know everything may seem foreign at first. But gradually, things that were once strange become familiar.
You don’t need to consult your map every five minutes. You know which buses to take. You know where to buy what. You begin establishing routines.
Before you even realise it, you’ve created a life for yourself. Studying abroad gave me my independence, and I truly believe that I’m the person I am today because of it.
It may seem lonely at first. Everything might feel a little harder, maybe even exhausting. But it gets better with time.
Be patient with yourself. Learn to do things on your own, despite being uncomfortable. Participate in events, attend societies, ask questions and reach out for help because everyone around you is experiencing difficulties as well.
After some time, you’ll notice that you’ve managed to build a stronger character and gained resilience and self-sufficiency.
Manchester stopped being the place where I go to study.
Vita stopped being only an accommodation.
Among rain-filled walks, shared breakfasts, movie nights, long evenings with books and studies, noisy and laughing kitchens, it has become home.
There’s one big lesson I’ve learnt from Vita. Home isn’t about the place. It’s about the people.
Looking for student accommodation in Manchester? We have two incredible locations to choose from, Circle Square and First Street. Move into a ready-made home, with a built-in community ready for you to tap into on your own terms.
