Moving off to college is always difficult and it can be even more confusing (and sometimes almost “terrifying”) when you are moving in a completely different country. Every year, the United Kingdom attracts students from all over the world. The prestige of the universities here, the multi-cultural environment as well as a series of other factors make fresh high school graduates pick the UK as their “study destinations”.
If you are moving to the UK as a student, you must feel quite overwhelmed. Should you hire a removals company? What paperwork should you bring? How will your arrival to the UK be? You must have a thousand questions – and not very much time to get an answer for all of them too!
We want to help you make this relocation as easy as possible. Regardless of where you move from and regardless of whether you need a man and van company, the following tips will come in useful for your “moving house” procedure. Read on and find out more!
1. Once you have received your answer from the university you have applied for), make sure to apply for a student visa in the UK (this is applicable only for those of you coming from outside of the European Union/European Economic area – people from the EU do not generally need a visa to be able to study in the UK).
2. You will also have to apply for a dorm room in the on-campus halls of residence. For the first year, most students live on the campus, but most of them move with their friends in larger apartments or houses once the second year comes. At that point you may need to hire professional movers if you plan on bringing furniture to the new place.
3. If that is the case for you, remember to search and apply for the various scholarships available too.
4. Bring together all the important paperwork you may need when arriving in the UK. This includes school records, medical records and other documentation.
5. Furthermore, remember that you may be required (or you may simply want to) purchase a health insurance policy and even a travel insurance policy. This may feel like they are charging you extra money but the truth is that they can save you from a lot of trouble on the long term.
6. When packing, try not to bring everything with you. Remember that upon your arrival in the UK, you should be able to account for everything you have brought with you. Plus, this is not the kind of “removal” that will require you to hire a professional moving company so you will have to carry everything on your own.
7. Generally speaking, make sure not to forget your documents (bring the originals, copies and scans as well and make sure you pack them in your hand luggage).Pack one week’s worth of clothing, some warm weather clothes, some cool weather clothes and don’t forget to pack an umbrella as well (yes, the UK is as rainy as “they say”).
8. Avoid packing anything you may also be able to buy when you get to your destination. This includes eating and cooking utensils, mugs, bed linens and so on.
9. Don’t forget to bring some things that will make your room more comfortable and that will make the shift easier. Photos of your friends and family, posters and other comforting items can really mean a LOT for your psychological well-being in the first months of being far from your home.
