Tips on why you should Study in London in 2023
As per the global ranking declared by Alpha Global City, London and New York are deemed the best abroad education destinations worldwide. London is considered to be one of the melting pots for thriving cultures, entertainment organizations, cuisines, industries, etc. The city has the potential to garner a student into an enriched and well-rounded person. Apart from being a hub for world-class education, London provides a fun experience for international students. In simple terms, London is a dream destination for scholars from all over the world. Hence studying abroad in London is the best option for a student. There is no other educational destination abroad that is both artistic and sophisticated simultaneously. Though the city is notorious for its high cost of living, being the business heart of Europe, it attracts a lot of international students from all over the world.
The best part of arriving in London is that it doesn’t betray anyone who hopes to make a career in it. The universities of London are well known for providing quality education in the disciplines of Engineering, Arts, Finance, History, Business, etc. London is the only city in Europe with around 43 world-class universities. There are no alternatives for universities like King’s College London, London School of Economics, University College London, London Business School, University of Westminster, Royal Academy of Music, etc.
The presence of better facilities with a high living standard would provide the students with a very surreal and new life experience. Whereas other abroad education destinations like New York and Sydney are jampacked by huge traffics, the presence of underground metro and trams makes London a cordial place to live in. However, it is a fact that living in London is quite expensive because of its cost of living. We have listed down some of the focus points to be noted by international students while preparing to study abroad in London. Let us have a detailed look at it.
Why should you study abroad in London?
Ease of commutation and international connectivity
London is the heart of Europe. All the major cities in Europe are easily accessible from London. The presence of three international airports that are Stansted, Heathrow, and Gatwick in London itself, provides high connectivity for city dwellers all over the world.
The cost of commutation within the city is very low, and international students could opt for the services of metro and trams. You could also get international access via bus since there are a lot of regular services to various European cities like Brussels and Paris.
Regarding the flight charges, which the international students are most concerned about, it is significantly low compared to those in the United States and Other European countries. We recommend our readers plan their travel. Choosing a cheaper mode of transportation would save you a significant amount of money.
Its vastness and huge opportunities
The city of London is huge, and an estimated 9 million people dwell in it. If considered the city’s metro area, the population would exceed 14 million. London city is the best example of urbanization; thus, it offers international students a humungous opportunity. The city’s best universities have made it the paradigm for the best abroad education centers. The best universities, like the University of Westminster, the University of London, and the University College London, are situated in the city’s center.
We recommend our readers explore the vast city of London along with completing their academic course. You can make a bucket list of things to do and places to visit before starting to study abroad in London. The city could offer you a lot of opportunities.
Health-conscious population
Leading a healthy life is now a part of the culture among the London population. People never miss the chance to jog in the park on a sunny morning. Jogging in the park is now a way of living for Londoners. International students could enjoy the advantages of both urbanized and healthy living styles in the city of London.
Avoid overpacking when you are traveling to study abroad in London.
Whatever things you need to stay abroad are available in London. It has been observed that travelers consider huge luggage of warm clothes while boarding in London city. We advise our readers that carrying such a piece of humungous luggage is not worth it. Every basic amenity and service is available in the city of London. Try to avoid the huge luggage of clothes and other souvenirs while you are traveling to study abroad in London. It would be cheaper to buy clothes and souvenirs from London than to pay high extra charges for additional weight on flights.
Note: – We recommend our readers consider the necessary medicines with them while traveling to study abroad in London. Medicine could only be sold on behalf of a certified doctor’s prescription in London. Considering enough medicine as a precaution would turn out handy at emergencies. It is possible that you would not find the same brand of medicine on the city premises.
Maritime Climate
The city of London is known for its rainy weather and overcast skies. Thunderstorms are normal incidences in London, and an average of 10 days in a month could be expected with rain. We recommend our readers consider rainproof clothes and shoes while traveling to study abroad in London. Always consider a compact umbrella in your bag while you are going out in the streets of London. It is the geographical feature of being an island that brings the maritime climate to the city.
The maritime climate ensures certainty in the weather, and no high fluctuation in the temperature could be observed. The temperature of London rarely fluctuates beyond the range of 40 to 70 Fahrenheit.
We recommend our readers to use light-colored modern coats to blend into the societies of London. Using an unmatching set of costumes like high rubber rain boots with dark-colored windbreakers would raise the eyebrows of the locals.
Cheap housing
International students won’t have to care for housing when starting off to study abroad in London. The city is abundant with apartments and residence halls that are exclusively set apart for international students. Even the universities provide accommodation facilities for their students but then again, the queue up to get into it is very large.
Try to contact the seniors to get an idea of rents and housing facilities near the Universities. Do prior research so that a hustle should be avoided at the end phase of studying abroad in London.
Not as costly as others tell you
The basic amenities, like groceries, commutation charges, housing rents, etc., are far cheaper than New York’s. Being the center of the whole of Europe, the cost of living in London is far more reasonable. The university charges far cheaper than a high school in America. It is the exchange rate of local currency with the pound where international students get a major setback. At the same time, the students would get a major setback when the currencies are exchanged. The exchange rate of Pounds is far higher than in most of the countries. It is the international students from the Indian subcontinent who bear the major brunt of high currency exchange rates. Hence it is recommended that international students should seek a part-time job while starting their preparation to study abroad in London.
We recommend our readers consider some British pounds with them when traveling to study abroad in London. Though the online mode of transaction is heavily used in the outlets of London, you may suffer some difficulty with operating international credit cards or ATMs there. Try to start an account in the local banks of London since your bank may charge a huge fee for international withdrawals.
Cultural and language variations
Yes, London is, of course, an English-speaking city. But prepare for a cultural shock while studying abroad in London. The way of speaking English is way different in London than in any city in Europe or America. The cuisine and food culture in the city is very different, and it is quite probable that international students would experience cultural shock during their experience of studying abroad in London.
We recommend our readers enter into a reflective phase when they find it hard to adapt to the new culture. Try to spend some time with your friends and widen your contacts with locals. Try to take part in parties, social clubs, campus meetups, etc., to increase your understanding of the culture followed in London.
Huge Wi-Fi connectivity
The widespread Wi-Fi connectivity all over the city makes it one of the most viable and potential places to pursue a personal career. Each and every outlet, restaurant, museum, café, etc., in London, provides its user with Wi-Fi connectivity. International students would not get stranded out or left out in the streets of London because of high connectivity over the internet.
We recommend our readers buy a UK sim while pursuing their study abroad in London. Approach your universities to avail of the service of EDUROAM. The facility of EDUROAM would provide the students with internet connectivity at college campuses and other EDUROAM locations.
The best opportunity for international students to garner valuable experience
The work experience garnered from the corporate sector of London is considered the most decisive and priceless factor in a candidate’s resume. You could get a reputational job in any part of the world by showcasing your experience in any London-based enterprise. Pursuing a professional career in London would help the student widen their connections which would turn out decisive in their dream to live further in London. Most of the students wouldn’t succeed in life further in London after pursuing their academic courses.
It is highly recommended that international students choose part-time internships or jobs while pursuing their academic courses. It would provide the students with valuable experience and additional financial sources.
High availability of part-time jobs
The high standard of living in London demands a higher cost to sustain daily expenses. Hence it is very hard for an international student to survive just on financial resources. In this instance, working along with pursuing academic courses becomes significant for international students.
London is Europe’s economic hub, and many thriving industries and businesses can be traced to its premises. London’s organizations and business bodies always demand quality human resources. International students could well utilize this since it would help garner valuable corporate experience and support their academic careers.
Free of-cost entertainment
Getting a break from the tight academic and job schedule is important for international students. Most the students abstain from visiting entertainment centers since it drains their financial resources and savings. In London, there are many free-of-cost entertainment centers that could be well utilized by international students. The museums in the UK are free to visit, of which the most famous ones are situated in the heart of London. The most prominent ones of them are Science Museum, British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Natura History Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, etc.
Taking a free walk through the city is great entertainment in itself. The view of Buckingham Palace and the change of guards are a treat to the eyes of tourists.
We hope that this article on studying abroad in London was quite helpful for you. Thank you for spending time with us.
