What nobody tells you about moving abroad as a student

Chloe, Durham University student ambassador

Social media makes moving abroad look like one long highlight reel. Dorm room tours, scenic campus shots, fun group events and dinners. And honestly? It can be all of that. But what those posts rarely show you are the moments between: the confusion, the failures, and the homesickness that creeps up at odd times. As a Durham International Study Centre (DUISC) alumna and now a Durham University student, I want to share what those first few months were like for me, so you know that whatever you're feeling in these first moments is completely normal. 

The first few weeks can feel overwhelming 

When I arrived in the UK for the first time, everything felt unfamiliar. The weather, the food, the people. It was a far cry from what I was used to back home in Hong Kong. Almost immediately, I was thrown into Induction Week: settling into my dorm, filling out paperwork, and learning how to navigate Stockton-on-Tees and DUISC's Queen’s campus. After a 16-hour flight, I was running on pure adrenaline, equal parts excited for my study abroad journey and completely wiped out from jet lag. 

The air outside Newcastle Airport felt brittle and crisp as I lined up for DUISC's shuttle service to my dorm, and that's when it really hit me: I was away from home, on my own, for the first time. I remember being surprised by just how much there was to sort out during Induction Week, such as registering with the local clinic (GP), setting up a UK bank account, figuring out my timetable and schedule, things I genuinely hadn't anticipated needing to think about that early on. 

It took about three weeks into my first term before I started to feel properly settled. That's when I'd had enough time to mingle with classmates, get familiar with the area, and build a small routine. If you're in that overwhelmed stage right now, know that it passes while you slowly learn to adjust to life studying abroad, and it is not a sign that something is wrong.  

Small everyday tasks may feel harder than expected 

What sticks with you most during a study abroad experience isn't usually the big milestones, but it's the little things and small victories. Knowing the ultimate shortcut between your dorm, the shops, and DUISC. Learning the best time to grocery shop so it's not chaos during rush hour. Before moving abroad, I'd never had to cook alone, do laundry alone, or clean alone. It taught me so much about independence and myself!  

I still laugh about the time I accidentally bought sunflower oil instead of olive oil and only realised halfway through cooking with my friends. Or the time I got on a bus going the wrong direction and nearly ended up in Edinburgh (which is in Scotland) instead of Durham. Living alone felt insurmountable at first, where I was used to the constant hustle and bustle of city life, surrounded by family and friends. Now, living and travelling independently has become second nature, and I've genuinely come to enjoy my own company just as much as time with friends. 

Making friends takes time 

Friendships don't happen overnight. They start with someone initiating a conversation, bonding over a shared interest, or just showing up to the same event. Before arriving in the UK, I was genuinely worried I wouldn't click with anyone. I'm here to tell you it's not as difficult as it seems. 

On my first day, I met someone in the dorm common room, and we bonded instantly over a shared love of Asian food. That night, we went grocery shopping together and made Pad Kra Pao, Thai fried rice with her family recipe. If I hadn't started that conversation, none of that would have happened. 

Induction week is where most friendships take root, because everyone's in the same boat and genuinely eager to connect. At DUISC, everyone is international, so there's a shared understanding of what it feels like to study abroad, away from home. I cooked with my flatmates in those early weeks and we're still close now. We've even gone to concerts together since.  

Classmates are another way for you to make friends, since you'll likely see the same faces for the whole term, giving you things to talk about, like coursework. Some of my closest friendships formed halfway through my International Foundation Year, and more still during my time at Durham University itself. If you are brave enough to reach out first, you’re already halfway through forming a connection!  

Studying abroad may feel different from studying at home 

Growing up in Asia, I was used to rote memorisation and cramming for exams. In the UK, the emphasis shifted to critical thinking, analysis, and speaking in class. DUISC introduced me to independent learning, group work, and academic writing through Academic English Skills (AES) sessions, alongside genuine encouragement from tutors to contribute my own ideas in seminars. 

When I first arrived, I was nervous, shy, and barely spoke in class. Later, I was speaking up far more, engaging properly with the material, and slowly breaking out of my shell. What struck me most was the emphasis on active participation rather than passive attendance. That pushed me to become a more confident, independent version of myself. It didn't happen overnight, but it's one of the most valuable things studying abroad taught me. 

Homesickness can appear in unexpected ways 

Chinese New Year was when homesickness hit me hardest. It was the first major holiday I hadn't spent with family, and I found myself missing home-cooked food and familiar celebrations more than I expected. In the UK, my friends and I threw our own dumpling and New Year's party to mark the occasion together. I also video called family back home and visited other friends studying elsewhere in the UK for cooking sessions, karaoke, and sleepovers, recreating a bit of what we used to do together back home. 

Eventually, homesickness passed and it got easier with time. It still resurfaces occasionally, usually triggered by something small, such as a song or a familiar dish. That's completely okay. Homesickness tends to come and go rather than disappear for good, and there's nothing wrong with feeling homesick. 

Budgeting becomes part of your daily routine 

Learning to manage money independently was one of my biggest ‘firsts’ abroad. Tracking daily expenses and sticking to a budget was something I properly learned during my International Foundation Year. My biggest tip: cook instead of eating out, since those costs add up fast. Comparing prices across different grocery stores also helps more than you'd think, as does keeping an eye out for student discounts like UNiDAYS or Student Beans. 

I kept a basic spreadsheet to track my monthly spending; some of my friends preferred budgeting apps instead, just use whatever works for you. My most-used discount during my International Foundation Year, without question, was a weekly student deal at different coffee shops.  

Asking for help is normal 

Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. At DUISC, there's a lot of support available when you need it. Tutors are patient and happy to answer questions, Student Support is there for practical issues, and the Wellbeing team can help when homesickness or stress gets too much. Friends provide a more informal, day-to-day kind of support too. The Progression team even runs weekly Wednesday drop-ins where students can ask anything about their next steps. 

I stayed in regular contact with my Academic Personal Tutor throughout my time at DUISC, chatting through both academic questions and general uncertainties about university life. Whenever course material didn't click even after textbooks and Google, tutors were consistently willing to talk it through. My advice if you're struggling but hesitant to reach out: start small. Build a bit of familiarity with staff day by day through casual conversation. So that when you do need to ask something bigger, it feels far less daunting as they're no longer strangers, but someone you already know. 

What I wish I knew before moving abroad as a student 

If I could go back to myself just before starting my International Foundation Year, I'd say: try everything, and worry less while doing it. So many of the things I was anxious about, such as making friends, keeping up academically, managing life alone turned out alright. 

One of the best decisions I made was messaging my future classmates online before I even landed in the UK. It meant I already had a few familiar names and faces waiting for me at induction, which took a lot of the edge off those first nerve-wracking days. Small steps like that do make a bigger difference than you'd expect. 

Quick checklist for future international students 

• Pack important documents (passport, visa paperwork, offer letter, et cetera) 
• Learn basic budgeting skills before you arrive 
• Try to join Induction Week activities, even if you feel shy 
• Explore Stockton-on-Tees and Durham early on 
• Don't be afraid to ask questions! 
• Stay in touch with family and friends back home 
• Give yourself time and grace to settle in 

FAQs 

Is moving abroad as a student difficult? 

It can be, especially in the first few weeks when everything feels unfamiliar at once. But most of the difficulty is just temporary, and a sign of you adjusting to the new. Support systems, making new friends, and establishing a routine all help it get easier over time. 

How do international students deal with homesickness? 

Common strategies include staying connected with family through calls, recreating home traditions abroad with friends, and giving yourself permission to feel homesick without feeling guilty. It tends to ease with time, even if it resurfaces occasionally. 

What support is available at an International Study Centre? 

DUISC offers Academic Personal Tutors, Student Support services, Wellbeing teams, and a Progression team with regular drop-in sessions, alongside the support of tutors and fellow students who understand exactly what you're going through.