留学生活提醒

Tips for Life as a Study Abroad Student in the UK

 

Don't discard your receipts. Keep your train and bus tickets, as well as any other paid tickets, as they may be checked. Failure to produce a valid ticket may result in fines.

 

Avoid interacting with squirrels. While squirrels may appear cute and interactive, it's best to maintain distance and avoid close contact with their fur. In case of a scratch or bite, it could lead to serious issues.

 

Carry some basic medication. Try to find a clinic or similar facility unless it's a private hospital, which can be expensive. The efficiency of the UK's NHS and hospitals varies, and appointments can be particularly slow. It is advisable to prioritize using the school's facilities, pharmacies, or small clinics.

 

Expect low efficiency in bureaucratic processes. Efficiency may improve to average levels with additional fees, but high efficiency is rarely encountered. Just like in the movie "Zootopia," where Flash the sloth works at the DMV. Therefore, it is important to allocate extra time in advance, allowing for any delays or unforeseen circumstances. For example, if you are told that an application will take a certain number of working days, expect to receive it on the last few days. Of course, there are also cases of exceptionally good luck, where things are completed ahead of time. Please note that working days do not include weekends or holidays. For instance, if there are five working days, and it coincides with a two-day holiday, the processing will continue once the holiday is over.

 

Exercise caution throughout the process of renting in the UK. If you don't live in the property for an extended period, your belongings may be cleared by the letting agent, landlord, or apartment staff. While this situation is more common in shared houses, it can also occur with unscrupulous landlords or subletting situations. For example, we have a fellow alumnus who worked as a subletter. After graduating, they returned to their home country without refunding the deposit to their fellow students or alumni. They also failed to pay the full rent to the actual landlord. Consequently, the landlord, who had not received the rent, evicted the students, or some students had to pay the rent again. Therefore, it is essential not to place too much trust in so-called senior students or alumni, especially those who hold certain "titles" in programs like 2+2 or 3+1.

 

It's okay to trust others, but always be prepared for the consequences. For example, TenRiseCat has repeatedly warned against trusting low exchange rates offered through private online social networks. However, even after arriving in the UK in October, some new students were scammed out of tens of thousands of pounds. These students had previously asked TenRiseCat for advice and received numerous forwarded articles about preventing study abroad scams. Nevertheless, they insisted on privately exchanging currency through a social media platform, resulting in significant financial losses.

In general, the probability of apartments clearing rooms before the lease expires is very high. For instance, if you haven't stayed in the apartment for 1 or 2 months while your contract is still valid, some apartments may assume that you have already moved out and proceed to clean out all your belongings. Therefore, it is crucial to always take precautions and arrange for the safety of your valuable items in advance. You might argue that it is illegal for apartments to do so before the contract ends, and indeed it is. However, if you report the incident to the police, you will find that the process is extremely slow, and the final outcome might be disappointing.

 

During my time as a student, I once lost my belongings while living in a university-arranged dormitory. My suitcases and bags were opened, and I lost over 10,000 yuan along with various cards. I chose to report the incident to the police, but it merely involved making a statement and then enduring a long wait. Eventually, the cleaning staff found some of the lost cards and documents in the grass near the apartment, but the money was gone. Despite finding some of my belongings, I was still relieved since replacing cards and documents can be troublesome. This incident made me realize that the world is interconnected, and every place and person are quite similar.

 

Therefore, I would like to remind everyone once again to protect their valuable items. Prioritize important items such as cards, documents, data on your computer, academic files, pets, and mobile phones over money, clothes, and bags. Make sure to back up the contents of your computer or phone in advance. Consider purchasing a portable hard drive or USB drive to create a duplicate copy and store it in the cloud or send it to yourself through email.

 

When terminating your lease, make sure to inform in advance and clean the room to its original condition. Therefore, before moving in, inspect every corner of the room, take photos, videos, and make a record. Inform the agency, landlord, or apartment staff in case of any damages or other issues found in advance. If there were pre-existing problems that you failed to notice during your stay or didn't report immediately, it will be considered your responsibility, and you may be charged.

 

For lease renewal, make sure to notify 1-3 months in advance. If you delay, there's a high possibility that seamless renewal won't be possible. For example, during the summer, some apartments may rent out rooms for a short period to language students or those with specific needs. These short-term rentals are usually confirmed months in advance. If you fail to inform them in advance about your intention to renew, when your lease expires, you won't be able to continue staying in the same room and will need to move out. You can only return to the room after the interval for lease renewal has passed. In other words, even for lease renewal, make sure to clarify if you can continuously stay without any gaps, as this is crucial and can indirectly lead to a period where you have nowhere to stay. For instance, if you signed a contract from September 1st to the same date the following year, and for the lease renewal, it's not starting from the 1st but due to short-term rentals or changes, you can only move in on September 15th. In this case, you might have more than 10 days without a place to stay, and your belongings cannot remain in the room as the staff will clean them out.

 

Note that when items are cleared, it means they are thrown away and will not be stored for you. However, there is a low probability that someone kind-hearted may bring your belongings to the apartment reception or the landlord's office for safekeeping, but this is very unlikely. In most cases, the apartment cleaning staff will dispose of everything, regardless of value. Take photos of your living space regularly and secure your valuable items. Apartment staff members have unrestricted access to your room, and incidents involving low-quality behavior can occur.

 

When seeking justice abroad, it is crucial to provide evidence. Evidence is extremely important, so make sure to prepare a series of relevant materials in advance, including timestamps.

 

Regarding communal areas, apartments usually have shared spaces like kitchens and refrigerators. It's best to discuss and agree with your roommates on the usage of these spaces; otherwise, your belongings might become communal property, or they could be damaged or spoiled. It's advisable to negotiate and, if necessary, buy a small refrigerator. Some roommates can be quite difficult to deal with, especially those who frequently host parties. Additionally, when it comes to dealing with garbage, as the garbage collection in the UK is not daily, if the apartment has daily cleaning services, it's fine. However, if it's a weekly cleaning service or if you live in a house, make sure to seal perishable or organic waste in a bag before throwing it away. It's recommended to dispose of the garbage daily to avoid any unpleasant situations.

 

The magic of discounts: Supermarkets often have promotional activities, suchas discounts or sales. Keep an eye out for these offers, as they can help you save money on your grocery shopping. Additionally, consider joining loyalty programs or using coupons to further reduce your expenses.

 

In terms of transportation, the United Kingdom has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, trains, and the London Underground. Depending on your location and frequency of travel, you can choose the most cost-effective option for your needs. It's worth noting that purchasing a travel pass or using contactless payment methods like Oyster cards in London can often be more economical than buying individual tickets.

 

When it comes to entertainment, there are various free or affordable activities available. Many museums and galleries in the UK offer free entry, so take advantage of these cultural experiences. Parks and green spaces are also great places to relax and enjoy nature without spending money. Additionally, keep an eye out for student discounts on movie tickets, concerts, and other events.

 

In terms of mobile phone plans, there are several providers in the UK that offer competitive rates. Research different plans and compare prices to find one that suits your needs and budget. Some providers also offer discounted rates for students, so be sure to inquire about such offers.

 

Lastly, it's crucial to create a budget and track your expenses. This will help you understand your spending patterns and identify areas where you can cut back. There are many budgeting apps available that can assist you in managing your finances effectively.

 

Remember, managing your expenses requires discipline and planning. By being mindful of your spending habits and taking advantage of cost-saving opportunities, you can make your money go further during your stay in the UK.