International students at Anglia Ruskin University say that studying in the UK can bring a number of unexpected cultural differences. From academic communication and weather to food and everyday social habits, adapting to a new environment can involve much more than adjusting to university classes.

Their experiences show that culture shock can come from small everyday differences as well as bigger changes.

Academic Communication Can Feel More Informal

One of the first surprises for some students was the way lecturers are addressed in the UK. A student from Nigeria explained that lecturers are usually addressed more formally in their home country.

In the UK, being encouraged to call lecturers by their first names initially felt unusual and even disrespectful to them.

“Please” and “Thank You” Are Used Frequently

Students also noticed how often polite expressions are used in everyday communication. One student mentioned that words such as “please” and “thank you” are used very regularly. They also noticed students sending messages of thanks in group chats after lectures.

The Weather Can Be a Major Adjustment

The British climate was another common source of culture shock. Students from warmer countries said that adapting to colder weather can take time.

One student explained that they were still not fully used to the cold, while another described the weather as one of the biggest differences from home.

Missing Food From Home

Food can also become an important part of the adjustment process. Several students said they missed the meals and flavours they were familiar with at home.

One student particularly missed seasoning and felt that some food in the UK tasted less strongly flavoured than what they were used to.

The UK Also Offers a Wide Range of Food

Not every student felt that food choices were limited. One student pointed out that the UK has restaurants representing many different countries and cuisines.

For international students, this can provide an opportunity to try food from different cultures while also finding familiar dishes from home.

The Education System Can Feel Different

Some students said the biggest adjustment was understanding a different education system.

A student from Nigeria explained that studying in the UK involved different academic practices compared with what they had experienced before.

Getting used to these differences can become an important part of adapting to university life.

Queuing Culture Can Be Surprising

Even everyday habits such as queuing can stand out to international students. One student joked about how important queuing seems to be in the UK.

Small social customs like this can become noticeable when students first move to a new country.

Walking and Road Traffic Take Some Getting Used To

Moving around a UK city can also require adjustment. One student said they enjoyed walking everywhere but initially had to pay close attention to bicycles, cars and buses.

Traffic travelling on the opposite side of the road compared with what they were used to was another unfamiliar detail.

Social Habits Can Be Different

Students can also notice cultural differences when making British friends. One student mentioned that some of their British friends were not used to hugging and joked that they had to teach them.

These small differences can become part of learning how people communicate and socialise in another culture.

Understanding Accents May Take Time

British accents and speaking speed can initially be challenging for international students. Some students said they did not always understand lecturers immediately because of accent or pace of speech. One student explained that they sometimes simply asked the lecturer to repeat what had been said.

Living Abroad Can Build Independence

Adapting to a different lifestyle can also support personal development. One student said that adjusting to the weather and a different way of life was challenging but had helped them develop their personality and become more independent.

This shows how studying abroad can involve personal growth alongside academic learning.

A Supportive University Community Can Help

Students also shared positive experiences of the community at Anglia Ruskin University. One student described people as kind and respectful towards different cultures.

They also described the university community as friendly and supportive.

International students can experience culture shock in many different ways when studying in the UK.

From weather and food to academic communication, accents and everyday social habits, these differences can initially feel unfamiliar. Over time, however, students can adapt while becoming more independent and comfortable in their new environment.

How StudyNet Can Help?

The StudyNet team supports students planning to study abroad by helping them compare universities and programmes, understand the application process and prepare for different aspects of international student life.

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