I read one too many generic “how to” guides online before I moved to the UK. So I know that there are plenty of those available. This post is not one for that list but rather a very personal and straightforward reality check of some key highlights based on my recent experiences.

This will most likely be a rant post from a 24-year-old trying to reset her entire life and try to “adult” in Belfast, UK as an international student. This could also be a cautionary post for aspiring students planning to come to the UK - a list of things you might want to prepare for mentally before you head out here.

1. Health Care Service:

If you are applying to the UK as an international student, you are probably well aware of the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) fees - the health insurance fee that you have to pay before you apply for your VISA. Once you have arrived in the UK, you will have to register yourself as a General Practitioner (GP) to get access to the UK healthcare service.

Key Suggestion/s:

• If you are coming to the UK from a warmer climate, please be cautious and careful with your health, diet, and clothes until your body acclimatizes and adjusts to the temperature difference.
• Be patient and thorough with your GP registration application form. You will need to take your passport and BRP with you. Also, take a copy of your proof of address - could be your tenancy agreement paper or a formal letter issued by your accommodation provider.
• Purchase Vitamin supplements - Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin D (oh how I miss the sun!) to add to your new lifestyle!

My Experience:

In Belfast, I struggled a lot to get registered at the GP. The one that I went to was said to be ideal for international students attending school close to the City Centre. When I walked in there first with all the required documents - my identification documents and a printed letter confirming my address of residence issued by my University, I was told I had insufficient documents - the bills I was paying for rent, my residence letter wasn’t “proof” enough. After some support from the International Student Experience team at my University, who thought this just shouldn’t have been an issue at all, I was able to process my registration.

But when I got sick with a bad cold last month, was I able to get access to health care? Nope. I had to rely on home remedies and cough drops for a couple of weeks.

2. Setting up a bank account:

See now, this is supposed to be easy and straightforward. We need money. That’s basic. Now when you are moving MILES away from home, trying to adjust and balance your school, and social life, you need the money. While there are (thankfully) options like Monzo and Revolut that allow you to access funds without setting up a bank account in the UK, it is ideal that one has a proper bank account set up as well.

Key Suggestion/s:

• Sign up for online wallets Revolut and Monzo. Actually set aside an hour of your time to fill up the onboarding form. You will need to have your BRP and will also need to upload a real-time picture of your face while signing up. You can also request to have a card shipped to your address once you have signed up successfully.
• You can get a good value for currency exchange at the post office. They generally have a better rate than other places. I exchanged my USD at the airport - which did cost me a lot more than expected.