As summer comes to an end, many of you will be beginning your degrees here at King’s. Going from school and living with your parents to uni and a new city can be challenging, especially if you’re an international student. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Here you will find a useful guide to discovering London and starting to make this city feel like your new home.
You are not alone!
The first thing I like to tell new students at King’s is that while it is very common to feel lonely in your first few weeks here, it is important to remember that you are far from alone in this situation. Every year thousands of new students come to King’s from everywhere in the world, and this is not only true for King’s, as London is a very student-friendly city that is packed with different unis. It’s important to keep in mind that London is a culturally diverse city where people from all over come together.
Strive to meet people and make new friends
The best way to ease a transition to a new place is often to meet new amazing people there. The good news is, there are plenty of opportunities to make new friends at King’s!
The easiest way is often to join a student group. Whether you love sports or prefer to find people who come from the same place or have the same interest, there is bound to be a group that you enjoy. To find a list of the 300+ student groups that we have at KCLSU, click here.
There are also a ton of events here at KCLSU that are organised every week, and they can be a great opportunity to meet new people. You can for instance join the Quiz Night at the Vault or take part in some Yoga sessions at Guy’s Campus! To find out what events are coming up, click here.
Belonging often starts with yourself
While making friends, discovering the city, and going to events are essential in helping you have a good time here at King’s, transitioning to a new environment also often requires some work on yourself. As your habits will be disturbed, things that were once automatic will now take some effort. It is important to realize and accept that transition times are often draining, and do require some work.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that it can’t be fun! Stress is often coupled with excitement, and focusing on the latter rather than the former can help you enjoy your first few months here!
If you want to further reflect on the concept of belonging, click here to find another article.