One of the biggest myths I unknowingly carried with me when preparing to study abroad was the idea that I could “pack everything I need.” The reality hits fast: you will never be able to carry enough luggage to feel fully prepared. With airline restrictions and a limited baggage allowance, you’re forced to choose between bringing essentials like kitchenware or filling your suitcase with your favorite snacks, clothing, or toiletries. One of those categories—either home comforts or practical basics—has to be bought here. And that choice, while seemingly small, has both emotional and financial consequences.
Your first week abroad will likely be your most expensive. From buying bedding and pots to getting your SIM card sorted, grocery shopping, registering for university, and figuring out transport—it all adds up quickly. It’s essential to mentally prepare for this upfront cost. The good news is that it’s largely a one-off: these are foundational expenses, not the weekly norm. But in those first few days, it can feel like your bank account is being emptied by the hour, and the sheer speed of it can be overwhelming if you’re not expecting it.
Something else that surprised me is how much cultural knowledge we assume we have. Back home, surrounded by people who speak, dress, eat, and think similarly to you, it’s easy to believe you’re globally aware. But when you step out of that community, you realise just how little you knew. You learn quickly that cultural understanding goes beyond knowing how to say “thank you” in different languages. You start discovering the nuances of Nordic habits, the etiquette of European conversations, or how different Asian communities approach time, relationships, and respect. If there’s one thing you need to pack more than anything, it’s an open mind—because everyone you meet has something to teach you.
And as much as we try to plan every detail, life at university is anything but fixed. Each week feels wildly different from the last. New opportunities pop up—social events, part-time job openings, cultural gatherings, mental health workshops—and they all demand space in your calendar. You quickly realise that flexibility is a skill, not just a personality trait. There has to be breathing room in your schedule, not only for these opportunities but also for you to support yourself mentally and emotionally. That balance, I’ve learned, is what adulthood is made of.
Another overlooked truth? You may not stick with the course you came in for—and that’s okay. It feels insane to expect an 18-year-old, fresh from A-Levels or the IB, to make a decision that defines their entire life. The pressure to “get it right the first time” is immense, but university is one of the rare spaces where it’s okay to explore. Many students end up switching majors or discovering a career path they’d never considered. It’s important to remember: changing your mind is not failure. It’s growth. There are people—advisors, professors, older students—who can help you navigate that pivot if or when it comes.
On a more social note, university is a melting pot of personalities. The people you meet in your first week can become your closest friends—or they may not. It’s all part of the process. Friendships will shift and evolve as you grow, and that’s natural. What matters is learning to trust yourself—your instincts, your values, and your emotional boundaries. Not everyone deserves access to your inner world. Choose your friends wisely, because the people you surround yourself with will influence your habits, your mindset, and in many ways, your future.
University is also where you begin to build the adult version of yourself. You’re managing your own time, your own money, and your own emotions. You’re figuring out how to live alone, how to cook, how to date, how to say no. You’ll have weeks where you feel on top of the world—and others where £10 has to last you until payday. But through it all, you’re learning how to become self-sufficient. The goal isn’t to have everything figured out by your final year; it’s to leave knowing more about yourself than when you arrived.
