Study at Cardiff | International

Adjusting to life in Cardiff

Help in adjusting to an unfamiliar and new life in Cardiff

Living abroad is a big step, and it does take time to adjust. We hope that you will be fine but there is additional support available to all international and EU students should you need it.

For more information see: www.cardiff.ac.uk/counselling/students/internationalandeu/international-eu-students.html

At Cardiff University counselling service we see many EU and International students who have found our service particularly helpful with issues such as:

Adjusting to a new and unfamiliar culture
Being confused by new values, behaviours, beliefs and lifestyles
Feeling lonely and isolated.
Adjusting to the informal nature of UK culture.
Feeling the loss of your familiar life.
Adapting to different social hierarchies
Feeling you have to achieve perfect academic results possibly as a result of family pressure.
Wondering how to make friend with UK students.
Anxieties about returning home after your experience at Cardiff University.
Relationship concerns.

It may seem strange to you, but counselling really can help to solve some of the issues you may be experiencing. Something can be done about the way you feel. It is normal to experience, unhappiness, loneliness and frustration when adjusting to a new environment counselling may help you deal more positively with these issues should they arise.

Even though you may not be used to seeking this kind of support meeting with a professional counsellor allows you to discuss your concerns with someone in a safe, friendly and confidential environment.

We can help:

Listen to others experiences
Extend you friendship networks
Increase sense of belonging
Improve your communication skills

Top Tips for coping with homesickness when studying abroad

Make connections with people from your own culture and background, if possible.
Keep in touch with family and friends via the internet (skype, email etc)
Keep busy join in the activities provided by the students union.
Watch films read books about travel that you find inspiring
Cardiff is a lovely city to walk about in and have a coffee/tea and is very safe in the day – time. Many people go into town to enjoy the city on their own.
Keep active, physical activity can lift your mood.
Eat well and try to discover where to buy the food you enjoy.
Plan your time well, mark on your calendar activities and study times this can help you put your feelings of loneliness into some kind of perspective.
Make as much effort as you are able socially, even if this doesn’t always bring instant results. Keep trying.
Establish some kind of daily routine.
Make your room comfortable and familiar.
Sometimes you will feel less homesick and it is important to ask yourself; ‘what are you doing that is making you feel better?’
Think that all this hard work will take you into a new phase of life with better employment prospects.
Send photos home so that your friends and family have a good understanding of your current life.