Moving to UK alone for med school! what are the nitty gritty things I could be forgetting?

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waveform06@reddit

Power here is 240v and different plugs.
Dont bring anything that needs mains power.
Bring a large USB battery with you.
Buy chargers for phones small electronics from local shops.

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ABritishCynic@reddit

230v. We aligned with Europe some time ago.

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Outrageous_Fix_6114@reddit (OP)

Would an iPhone, MacBook and iPad be okay? Thank you!

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hdhxuxufxufufiffif@reddit

Yes, most phone and laptop chargers are dual voltage. You can check but if you're using the official Apple ones they definitely will be.

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CellistLow8857@reddit

Yes of course I think they mean don’t bring anything that has a cable attached like a hair dryer for example!

But you’ll prob want to get new chargers for your stuff. You’ll get by with adapter plugs I guess but long term what a pita that would be!

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hdhxuxufxufufiffif@reddit

Yep the OP absolutely shouldn't bring their Canadian defibrillators with them.

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DameKumquat@reddit

If you've got your place, sort your visa and pay IHS now.

Register with a GP practice as soon as you arrive and have an address (your college hall). As you're under 25, there are also many sexual health clinics that can provide a wider range of contraception, do smear tests, etc.

For med school, unless you're joining some specific graduate-only course, the big factor will be being surrounded by 18-19 year olds. Go to the uni Freshers fair, join a bunch of societies.

Practice ignoring people hassling you on the street. They're all scammers.

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GodOfThunder888@reddit

Just on a practical note, NHS waiting lists for dentists can be quite impossible. So perhaps have a dentist appointment in Canada before you leave, so you are less likely to need one short-term

Also, check what the Internet situation is wherever you are moving to. If you have to set up a new internet provider yourself, it usually takes about a month to be set up so you might want to do this in advance.

Unless you are moving to London, make sure your passport has enough years left. I recently realised that if I need a new passport, I have to visit the embassy in London for a passport request. I live on the other side of the UK lol. If you are not staying close to London, that's a costly trip just to renew a passport.

Other than that, moving to the UK is a breeze. Most things will need to be sorted once you're there and

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Outrageous_Fix_6114@reddit (OP)

Thank you!!! Is there alot of theft in London or are people just exaggerating?

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DameKumquat@reddit

Pickpockets, especially phone thieves, are a plague in central - and they prey on anyone drunk and out of it, or tired and confused, who is likely to have a phone worth taking. So jetlagged tourists are disproportionately hit.

It's still unlikely, but don't do stupid things like put your phone on your table while eating outdoors. Someone can drop a leaflet over it and someone following them can swipe it, without you noticing. Ditto having anything valuable in outer coat pockets - people will walk past and try them just on the offchance. Back when I had a baby in a buggy and a walking toddler (so another tired distracted target...) people suddenly yelled at me just as some guy leapt off the bus. He'd rifled my pocket as he went past me.

But because I don't put anything valuable in my outer pockets, what he'd stolen was my banana. I didn't report the crime...

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Lumpyproletarian@reddit

Exaggerating. There are orders of magnitude more panhandlers than there are thieves. Don’t walk around with your phone in your hand, don’t leave your handbag/purse or jacket with wallet in the pocket over the back of chairs in pubs etc and don’t keep valuables in a backpack on the tube. ie all the things you wouldn’t do in any major city.

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imperfect_and_tense@reddit

You might want to get some business cards printed that say, "Actually, I'm not from any State. I'm Canadian."

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peppermint_aero@reddit

This is a great little primer on how to thrive as an international student: https://amzn.eu/d/05NLceqN

Winter clothing: Depending on where in Canada you're coming from you'll probably find our winters milder but rainier than yours. I would wait till getting here to buy a raincoat, but conversely I'd get your boots in Canada as you folks just have greater variety. Aim for something waterproof with good grip but don't worry too much about snow proof or freezing temperatures.

Mobile phone: You'll find our phone plans are probably cheaper than you're used to. If you bring an unlocked handset you can put a UK SIM in it. Giffgaff do decent price pay as you go rolling contracts.

Transport : Look up where your accommodation is and where your campus is. Try tracing the route on a map - the Citymapper app is very helpful for this. London bus coverage is great within the centre so don't assume the tube is always the fastest way somewhere.

For safety, London is no more dangerous than Toronto or Montreal. We do have a problem with phone snatching so try not to stand by the side of the road or outside a tube station with your phone in your hand.

Homesickness: use the tips in the book I linked above. Be prepared to miss friends and family. I sometimes think it's harder now in the smartphone era because you're always connected. It's very easy to spend all your free time in your room - try and be mindful of not doing that. Join clubs and societies at your uni - it will fill your week and you'll meet people.

When you get to university find out early what the sources of support are. Get the name, email address and office location of your personal tutor. Find out who Student Support are and where they are located and how to contact them. Hopefully you won't need them but if you do, it will be easier to go and see them when trouble arises if you're already familiar.

Above all be prepared for culture shock. It's a real thing, and in some ways can be extra sneaky when you've come from an English speaking country because you don't expect it. Look up the culture shock W Curve - it's a diagram that describes the roller coaster of emotions that people often have when moving to a new place. Hence my advice about establishing your support anchors early.

Good luck! You've got this.

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ClumsyandLost@reddit

Banter is a big part of British culture. If people like you they might jokingly insult you. I don't not what the norm is in Canada but in the UK a lot people will lightly insult their friends.

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khlee_nexus@reddit

The only essential things imo are:

Passport(s) and your visa (if required)
Driving license
- for age verification/alternative form of ID
- if you plan to exchange it to a UK license, check gov.uk for the additional support documents that may required.
access to your money (more than one cards, preferably from different banks)
travel SIM to survive from the first week
medications and prescriptions

The rest are optional and can be bought in the UK.

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Outrageous_Fix_6114@reddit (OP)

Thank you! What bank would you recommend?

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spine_slorper@reddit

May be important to keep in mind that things like bank accounts can be more difficult for international students to do as they often want 3 years of address history. If you have difficulty then some of the online banks like starling and monzo can be a bit more accommodating. Revolut can be useful if you frequently use foreign currency.

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Iscan49er@reddit

Many bank branches have closed, but pretty sure there will be one near the hospital where you work. Ask your English fellow students for recommendations. Also look at online banking to cover your unsocial hours.

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insomnimax_99@reddit

Once you move in, you’ll need to register for council tax and then claim the exemption for students.

Some students have been caught out because they thought it was an automatic process - this is not the case, you have to actively apply for it. Most universities will do it on your behalf but not all will, so check with them. If you don’t claim the exemption then you will be liable for council tax.

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Outrageous_Fix_6114@reddit (OP)

Thank you! I had no idea what this was

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Fuzzy_Number_2832@reddit

Living in student halls, this will not be something you have to do in first year, but will become relevant when you rent in future years

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insomnimax_99@reddit

It’s basically the equivalent of municipal property tax - Council Tax is a tax that is loosely based on the value of your home, and the money goes to the local government and is intended to pay for local services (although local governments have been increasingly forced to deliver services that really should be national government’s responsibility).

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DameKumquat@reddit

Probably sorted for them, living in college accommodation, but worth checking as you say - and definitely good to know before moving to a shared house in second year.

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TheViscountRang@reddit

I don't have anything helpful to add but welcome in advance, I hope you really enjoy your time with us! :)

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Outrageous_Fix_6114@reddit (OP)

Thank you!!! I needed this :)

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StockholmGirl29@reddit

I came to the UK fifteen years ago and it was absolutely fantastic. So great, I didn't go home! You'll find so many people willing to help you and most people are friendly and polite. You're Canadian so you won't have the language barrier I faced, which caused confusion sometimes! Any big city anywhere can be dangerous and daunting but the UK is overall a pretty safe country. Just be sensible, don't take unnecessary risks when out and about and you'll do great! Aldi and Lidl are the cheapest supermarkets. Avoid Waitrose. Public transport can be expensive in the UK so look into getting a discounted travel card. I'm sure your college will have all the information you need. Good luck 🍀

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Outrageous_Fix_6114@reddit (OP)

Thank you!!! Wish you the best

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Nkhotak@reddit

Congratulations, that’s a big, brave step! r/movingtotheuk will be able to help with the practical stuff.

On the social side, I don’t think you need to worry. You’ll have a readymade friendship group in your dorm and on your course. A lot of the British students will be away from family for the first time too, and there will be a lot of foreign ones who feel equally adrift. Universities and the student union put on a lot of events to help you settle in and get to know people, and a lot will have groups and social events specifically for foreign students.

You’re going to have a blast.

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Outrageous_Fix_6114@reddit (OP)

Thank you for your kindness!!!

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OsitaHunter5168@reddit

r/movingtotheuk might be a better spot for this. best of luck to you on your move!

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Outrageous_Fix_6114@reddit (OP)

Thanks! I also posted in there haha

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Ornery-Wasabi-1018@reddit

The cold is different.

The rain is real.

The electricity will fry most of your devices. Phones, laptops etc are likely to be ok (check they are dual voltage. But hairdryers etc will go bang. Buy here.

Its Autumn, not fall. And pants are underwear.

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Outrageous_Fix_6114@reddit (OP)

Thank you!!

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