Three years ago, I packed my bags and left Cameroon for the UK, filled with excitement and uncertainty. I had seen pictures and read about the experience, and I dreamed of studying abroad. However, nothing truly prepared me for the reality of leaving my home, family, and everything familiar for an uncertain future. My reasons were simple: I wanted to pursue my education and obtain a degree in journalism. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the United Kingdom welcomes approximately 700,000 university students annually.
This decision was made between my parents and me, as we believed that I would not achieve the same result in Cameroon, my home country in Africa. The path I chose has not been easy, especially since I was born a French speaker. Until I was 15, I struggled to even ask for directions in English, which was quite frustrating for me! However, today my life revolves around the English language. In fourth grade, I left the French education system to attend a school that followed the Cambridge and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula. I took English classes, and over time, my skills improved. I never truly realized my progress until I arrived in the UK, a country that was so different from what I had known.
The cultural shock
One of the first thing I realised is that the predominant modes of public transportation are buses and the metro in the UK. In Cameroon, I typically travel by car, whether with my parents or in a taxi, and there are also efficient motorbikes available for transport. I remember the first time I physically went to the University of Sunderland for my classes. I became disoriented and began trying to stop passing cars, hoping to find a taxi. I called my mom and cried hard. It quickly became clear that taxis in England do not operate the same way as they do in other places. Just imagine being in a car and seeing a girl by the side of the road attempting to stop cars as if she were at a bus stop, but there was no bus stop. Looking back, I can’t help but laugh at the memory.
Another major adjustment was experiencing early darkness at 3 pm as I arrived in the aut This phenomenon was familiar to me from films and educational materials; however, experiencing it firsthand has been profoundly fascinating. In contrast, in Cameroon and much of Africa, the sun sets consistently at 6 pm throughout the year. We typically experience only two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season, with temperatures ranging from 27 to 34 degrees Celsius.
I am not the only one who has felt this way. Lesly, a Cameroonian student, shares her experience:
“When I first arrived in the UK, I was immediately struck by how organized everything seemed. The public transportation system was incredibly efficient compared to what I was used to in Yaoundé. The weather was my first real shock—I arrived in January, and the cold, grey skies were quite different from the tropical climate of Cameroon. I remember calling my mother during that first week while wearing three layers indoors!”
In the beginning, I didn’t find it that cold, but as time went on, the temperatures dropped. One day, it snowed lightly, and I remember going outside to catch some snowflakes. The freezing cold of the north of England has proven to be a challenge. Personally, I have become used to it, but Queensley, a Nigerian student, said, “The weather was definitely a shock. I didn’t think a place could be this cold. Fast forward four years later, and I’m still not used to it.”
For many international students, the weather, food, and language pose daily challenges. British English, for example, differs significantly from the American English I was familiar with. Even now, I sometimes struggle to understand people when they speak to me, I found myself laughing and nodding my head, even though I don’t fully understand the content. Many international students experience communication difficulties at the beginning.
Lesly added: “Despite studying in English in Cameroon, I still had some challenges understanding British people because of their accents and slang. For example, when my flatmate asked if I wanted to ‘pop to the shops,’ I was confused. I understood them well overall, but their slang sometimes threw me off.”
Emotional impact
A sizeable number of international students struggle with depression, often stemming from the difficulty of finding a job that will pay your bills or even one after graduating. In my case, I found a stable part-time job after a year, but for some, the job search has been even more challenging, complicating their ability to pay for university fees. A research report done by Rahman and Kohli (2024) shows that approximately 45 % foreign student have faced mental health issues like depression and anxiety. It was also found that mental illness is usual in foreign students and can range from moderate to severe. Foreign students experience more mental health issues for a variety of reasons, including acculturative stress, social isolation, academic pressure, financial challenges, language barriers.
Depending on the level of studies, boarding can be quite expensive, particularly for those who come from elsewhere, according to British Council, International undergraduate tuition fees vary from £11,400 – £38,000. As a master’s student, for example, you must manage multiple expenses, including rent, transportation, tuition, and other costs associated with your education, like your dissertation and various assignments. On top of that, you are restricted to working a maximum of 20 hours per week due to your visa. Often, their limited available time is consumed by homework and catching up on rest, leaving little room for a social life.
Living abroad requires learning how to manage your finances, balancing university commitments, work responsibilities and everyday life. Being organized and following a routine is one of the best ways to manage your finances effectively. Peter Peng, a master’s student from China, shares that he uses a method known as bookkeeping. By recording all his transactions and calculating his expenses, he can stay organized.
The hardest part of this entire journey is the distance from family. Many face the challenge of not being able to return to their homeland, sometimes going years without seeing their loved ones. While we have mobile phones and various apps to help us stay connected, there are still days when we desperately want to jump into bed beside our parents, wrap our arms around them during tough times, and engage in deep conversations filled with laughter with our siblings. The pain of missing precious events like birthdays, weddings, and the arrival of new family members. Just last month, my cousin gave birth to a girl, and I won’t see any of them before a long time—it truly breaks my heart.
There’s a unique kind of loneliness that comes with feeling as though you no longer belong, as home begins to feel different and unfamiliar. Creating new memories and building new relationships, especially in a language that’s not your own, can feel like a significant challenge. Yet, many of us find comfort in connecting with fellow international students, as we share similar experiences and emotions.
As I navigate through this diverse environment, I’ve had the privilege of discovering various cultures, including those from Ghana, India, Romania, and beyond. Lesly shared her own journey, describing how societies like the African Caribbean Society (ACS) at the university have helped her find a sense of belonging: “I’ve made wonderful connections through international student societies, my courses, and school activities. My closest friends are a mix of other international students and a few British students I’ve met at school.”
Tanuja, an Indian student at Newcastle University shares: “I have also built meaningful relationships through my workplace, and they really make me feel at home.”
Embracing the journey
Navigating life as an international can bring up a whirlwind of emotions, and I could easily spend hours sharing my feelings about struggles like depression and so much more. But reflecting on my journey, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it all over again. Living in the UK has been a transformative experience for me, helping in my personal growth and independence. Balancing a job, an internship, and my studies has been challenging, but it brings me a sense of fulfilment. I recognize that this is an opportunity that many people dream of, and I honestly believe in making the most of every situation.
If I could offer a piece of advice to anyone considering this journey, it would be to prepare yourself for the unexpected. Do thorough research about the country you will be moving into and approach this new chapter with an open mind and heart. Embrace the adventure ahead; it’s a unique opportunity for growth and discovery.
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