Many students and inventors around the world aspire to study in the UK. People attempt to go to the UK to pursue higher education from all over the world. However, they have a lot of challenges to overcome.

To disregard cultural variations in a different region of the world is almost inescapable, and the same is true for the UK. While often brief, culture shock is a common experience for foreign students who move to the UK. The way things are done here and how you are used to doing things at home will differ. These may encompass many facets of life, such as the way people eat, teach, and learn as well as how they dress, speak, and conduct.

WHAT IS CULTURE SHOCK?

The effects of switching from one familiar culture to an unfamiliar one are referred to as "culture shock." It's a sensation that people who have moved abroad for a job, residence, or education describe; to some extent, it can even be felt when traveling abroad for pleasure. Anyone, including students from other countries, may be impacted. It entails experiencing culture shock in a new setting, getting to know a lot of new people, and picking up customs from a different nation. It also includes the shock of being cut off from loved ones, such as family, friends, coworkers, and teachers, people you would often confide in during difficult times and who offer support and direction. It can be quite difficult to adjust when familiar sights, sounds, scents, or tastes are missing. When you first arrive, minor things can be unpleasant and seem much bigger than they actually are if you are exhausted and jet-lagged.

Affected Factors on the Culture Shock

The following are a few factors that affect culture shock:

FOOD

British cuisine could seem weird to you. In comparison to what you are used to, it can taste different, be cooked differently, or look dull or heavy. If you don't have experience cooking for yourself and live in self-catering housing, you can start to substitute "fast" ready-cooked or ready-prepared meals for your regular diet. Look for a vendor selling well-known food.

VARIOUS LANGUAGES

Languages, cultures, and ethnic groups of all kinds can be found in the UK. Although English is the most widely used language in the UK, there are plenty of people who speak many languages and come from different nations. It is advisable to practice speaking and hearing British English in order to survive in the UK as an international student because you may encounter students who speak a variety of languages. Also, many study-abroad consultants in Kerala will help you to learn various languages for students' career growth and development.

CLIMATE

If you are from a place with a warmer climate, you may also find the UK's climate to be inconvenient because it has a relatively long winter season.

POLITENESS

The UK was formed on the principles of orderly lines, holding doors open, and using the phrases "please" and "thank you." The UK strictly prohibits pushing in and skipping lines. The height of rudeness is slamming a door in someone's face, and failing to say "bless you" when someone sneezes is practically a crime. If you're used to a busy lifestyle where people are primarily concerned with themselves, this could come as a shock. If you don't follow these unwritten norms, you can encounter the cold shoulder or snarky side looks from British people, who are known for their strong passive-aggressive tendencies.

SOCIAL ROLES

You might be perplexed, surprised, or offended by social behaviors. For instance, you might notice that people seem aloof and impatient all the time. Large city centers may be especially likely to experience this. It's also possible that you'll be shocked to witness people holding hands and kissing in public. You might observe disparities in same-sex social interaction and relationships, as well as connections between men and women that are more or less formal than you are accustomed to.

ACADEMICS

Every nation has a unique educational system, which includes a new framework, instructional strategies, scoring procedures, project requirements, due dates, scholarships, etc. In certain cases, there is simply too much information to process and become accustomed to all at once. Don't let this new information overwhelm you; instead, attempt to understand every aspect slowly so that you can grow used to it.

ATTIRE

People in the UK dress differently because different fashion trends and styles are popular. They are all respected, though, so nobody would be making fun of your attire. You can feel that your ideas and opinions are occasionally disregarded as a result of different values and beliefs.

CONCLUSION

The majority of international students experience culture shock when they first arrive in a new country, so they are not alone in experiencing it. With patience and a gradual embrace of the new culture, it is easily manageable. Utilize it as a springboard to investigate fresh possibilities and develop your adaptability. You would find it difficult to live in the UK at first until you adapt to the new surroundings. Your mental health may be influenced by cultural, social, and linguistic differences, which could have an impact on your academic performance. Your attitude and how you see embracing new things will determine the outcome. Be optimistic, take pleasure in your new experiences, create friends, and acquaint yourself with society. Then you will create several opportunities for yourself.

Also Read: Tips for Indian Students to Adjust to a New Culture while Studying Abroad