India has been a favourite destination for Indian students for many years due to its top-rated universities, research facilities, and good future opportunities. According to the data shared by UK Home Office, a total of 90,669 Indian students were issued visas in the 12-month period ending in September 2021.
If you are a study traveling to UK for future studies, here is what you should take care of:
1. Documents
Documents are the most essential part of the packing because without a complete set of required documents you may not be able to leave the destination airport. You need to ensure that your passport, visa, and medical documents (like TB test, etc.) are kept handy in your hand baggage. You also need to categorically keep your educational documents as required by the university. To find out the list of educational documents, do check the university website or email them to get the final list. Keep all your documents in hand baggage only because if in case of check-in baggage are misplaced, you are safe in terms of entering the UK and taking admission.
2. The food items
The first thing that you miss after being away from home is the kind of food you have been eating all through your life. Food in the UK is very bland, and it takes months to adapt to that taste. It is better that you travel prepared by carrying dried and packaged food. Dried milk items are prohibited, so do not think of carrying that.
You should not carry Indian spices as powdered items are scanned at customs. Anyways, you get all spices in the UK. Many Indian stores are having these items. You may carry Maggi masala with you if you want anything immediately after being in the UK. To prepare for any immediate need of food, carry some instant food packets including Maggi, pasta, etc.
3. Electronics items
Carry your own laptop if you have one in India but if you are planning to buy a new one then you should buy that in India itself. The UK is not as good as the US in the sense of buying electronics. You will get the same configurations at a higher cost in the UK. Whether you buy your laptop in India or in the UK, check the specification your university has recommended for laptops. You can consider using your credit cardsAll phones from India do work in the UK, so you may carry the one you are currently using. You may want to have a better-quality camera because capturing this special journey is a must. Sockets in the UK are different from those in India, so you should take universal adaptors for your Indian electronics along with the chargers.
All phones from India do work in the UK, so you may carry the one you are currently using. You may want to have a better quality camera because capturing this special journey is a must. Sockets in the UK are different from those in India, so you should take universal adaptors for your Indian electronics along with the chargers.
4. Utensils
Some basic utensils that we use in India are difficult to find in the UK, and if you find then they cost huge. One of the most essential items is a pressure cooker because it helps to cook a lot of things. If space allows, then you can take tawa and kadhai with you but even if you can't, then don't worry, you will get these items in the UK but in a little different shape. Carry utensils in check-in luggage and not in the cabin luggage.
5. Medicines
You are advised to carry some basic medicines with you as you don't get many of these over-the-counter medicines without a prescription. The ones that are available in the UK without prescription, you will not know them. Common medicines which we use in India for fever, common cold, cough, body pain, etc. should be carried. Security checkups at the airports may ask for the bills of these medicines, so do keep these handy.
6. Clothing and Footwear
UK being a cold country, you should carry warm and cozy clothes. You should also check the university site with the permissible kind of clothes.
You should not take a lot of clothes in your baggage as the clothing is quite reasonable in the UK. Good jackets are required to stay warm in the UK throughout the year but it is better that you buy them in the UK except for one jacket which you will need from the airport to your hostel. Footwear and other accessories can be bought in the UK itself at a very reasonable price but do wear shoes that completely cover your feet while traveling to the UK.
7. Bank Accounts and credit cards
Before moving to UK, do your research regarding how and where you can open your bank account. One of the best international student bank account in UK is The Barclays Student Additions Account (International). It is seamless to send and receive money from abroad through this bank. Get a student credit card too. An excellent way to raise credit quickly is to apply for a student credit card that offers rewards and special financing options.
8. International Calling Plans
Once you reach in UK, you will need to talk to your family. Though Wi-Fi will be available most of the time, still sometimes you will require different mobile plans with adequate data and international calling options. You can find all the details here.
9. Shared Accommodation
Being a student, it is very difficult to find cheaper apartment for rent. However, you will be able to find that on Facebook and WhatsApp groups where similar students can rent an apartment together so that rent can be divided. You can find that detailshere .
10. Ways to earn money as a student
So many times, students need to do part time jobs for monthly living expenses. Most of universities offer on-campus jobs for limited hours. So, try to find that information. Those might be in café, dining services, catering services, teaching assistant, Graduate assistant etc. Talk to the students who are already in UK in the same University.
11. Other important items
Some essential items you will need immediately after reaching the UK even before you get time for shopping. You may carry a bedspread, pillowcases, and bath towels (if only your luggage space allows) from India. You get very good Duvets in the UK, which are specifically designed for the winters there, so do not carry blankets from India. For the initial expenses in a new nation, you should carry some money either in your travel card or in the form of cash.
You can follow the guidelines from the above points, and you are good to start a new phase of your life.
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