Moving from Hong Kong to Warwick: My Experience as an International Student

Undergraduate student, Elysia, discusses how moving from Hong Kong to Warwick has shaped her perspective, and shares her top tips for adjusting to a new environment. 

Growing up in Hong Kong, a bustling international city with endless food options just minutes from home, I knew moving to Warwick would be a drastic change. Surrounded by fields and trees instead of skyscrapers, life felt slower and quieter. Adjusting wasn’t easy, but it has been a transformative journey.

Here are some of the changes and challenges I faced:

Culture

One of the biggest surprises was the diversity at Warwick. With over 30% of international students coming from 150 countries, the campus is a hub of cultural exchanges. With countless cultural societies, you can find a community where you feel at home or explore entirely new ones. 

In one of my group projects, every person came from a different country. While during my first year, I was living in a flat of 10 people, with 6 different cultures. It was so fascinating to discover cultural differences and unexpected similarities. From something small like how different cultures imitate animal sounds to something more significant like how we view political systems or approach communication. These cultural exchanges with people from various backgrounds broadened my perspective and sparked my curiosity to learn more about the world.

Tip: Hosting a potluck where everyone brings a dish from their own culture – it’s a fun way to bond and share traditions with friends or flatmates. 

Academics and lifestyle 

Adjusting to university life takes time. Unlike high school, learning here is more self-directed, and you’re expected to manage your own time to explore and dive deep into different topics. 

Joining societies like Enactus Social Enterprise, Enactus Consulting, and the Graphic Design and Marketing Society gave me hands-on experience in solving real-world problems. They allowed me to apply theories I’d learned in practice while building my problem solving, creativity and leadership skills.

Make the most of university life by:

•    Exploring hobbies and discovering your life passions
•    Learning to manage your time and responsibilities independently
•    Meeting new friends and joining activities from societies and sports clubs.

Homesickness

Surprisingly, being away from home deepened my connections to my roots. I found myself listening to Cantonese songs, cooking homemade dishes, and cherishing video calls with family and friends back home. 

Joining cultural societies, playing mah-jong, hearing my mother tongue brought a comforting sense of familiarity miles away from home. 

Weather 

Coming from Hong Kong’s warm and humid climate, I struggled to adapt to the UK’s long, dark winters where the sun sets as early as 4 PM. But fresh cookies, nice movies and hearty soups with friends helped me going through the winter! 

Travelling

Some say travelling and adventures are the best ways to learn. Warwick’s location makes it easy to hop on a train for day trips to Birmingham, Oxford, or Stratford-upon-Avon. While with longer holidays - Birmingham Airport is just 20 minutes from Coventry, offering flights to exciting cities across Europe. 

Top 10 Tips for Adjusting as an International Student

• Keep an open mind: embrace cultural differences, observe and adapt.
• Join societies and clubs: it’s the best way to meet people with similar interests.
• Try new things: take advantage of opportunities but keep your mental health in check.
• Don’t let FOMO overwhelm you: missing an event isn’t the end of the world—find your balance.
•  Learn to cook: recreating dishes from home is comforting, healthier and saves money. 
• Master budgeting: understand your finances, and consider part-time jobs through resources like Unitemps.
• Go beyond the classroom: meet people from other courses and years to broaden your perspective.
• Explore the local area: from campus to nearby cities, immerse yourself the UK culture.
• Build a support network: stay in touch with family and find friends who feel like family.
• Celebrate your growth: keep a journal to reflect on how far you’ve come on this journey. 

Moving from Hong Kong to Warwick has been eye-opening and rewarding. A quote I live by is “your pace, my pace”. Embrace the changes, find your own rhythm and build memories of a lifetime!