Settling in: culture shock and the first weeks in the UK

The first weeks in the UK are exciting and tiring at the same time. New routines, unfamiliar accents, different food and dark afternoons can unsettle even confident students. This is normal, and it usually passes. Knowing what to expect makes it easier, both for students and for the parents watching from home.

What culture shock can look like

Many students describe a similar pattern. The first days feel like an adventure. Then, once lessons start and the novelty fades, small things begin to grate: the food, the weather, the way people talk. Homesickness often arrives at this point, a few weeks in rather than on the first night. Gradually, routines form, friendships deepen and the new place starts to feel like home.

Signs that a student is finding it hard include sleeping much more or much less than usual, skipping meals, staying in their room, losing interest in activities, or calling home many times a day. None of these is unusual for a short time. If they last, it is time to talk to someone.

A first-fortnight checklist

• Check the eVisa. Sign in to the UKVI account, make sure the details are correct and that the passport used for travel is linked to it. The eVisa is how a student proves their status, for example to an employer or a landlord.
• Register with a GP near the school or term-time address. Our healthcare guide explains how.
• Save key contacts: the houseparent or personal tutor, the international student office, the guardian for under-18s, and the emergency number, 999.
• Sort out money: a UK bank account or card, a budget for the term and a plan for emergencies.
• Get a UK phone number and learn the way to lessons, the nearest shops and the station.
• Learn the rules of the house: for boarders, the daily timetable, phone and device rules and how to sign out; for university students, the fire safety and building rules of their accommodation.
• Keep copies of the passport, CAS, offer letter and insurance in a secure digital folder.

Everyday British life that can surprise students from Türkiye

• Indirect language. British people often soften criticism. ‘Quite good’ or ‘you might want to look at this again’ can mean a piece of work needs real changes. Students who ask for clear feedback usually get it.
• Queuing and politeness. People queue for almost everything and say please, thank you and sorry a great deal. It is a habit worth adopting early.
• Meal times. In boarding houses and many families, the evening meal is early, often around six o'clock.
• Independent study. At university especially, much of the learning happens outside the classroom, and nobody chases students to do the reading. Rules on plagiarism and referencing are strict.
• Light and weather. UK clocks go back on the last Sunday of October, which in 2026 is 25 October, and from then on it gets dark early in the afternoon. Daylight, exercise and a regular sleep pattern make a real difference in the first winter.

Building a routine and making friends

Friendships rarely happen by waiting. Encourage your child to say yes to activities in the first weeks: house events, sport, music, clubs and, at university, student societies. Many universities have international and Turkish student societies, which can be a comfort, but the richest experience usually comes from mixing with students from many backgrounds, British students included.

A simple weekly structure helps: fixed study times, one or two regular activities and a set time to call home. Cooking a familiar dish, keeping a few things from home in the room or finding a Turkish shop in town can ease homesickness without pulling a student away from their new life.

Language confidence matters too. Students whose English is strong on paper can still find fast, accented speech tiring at first. It improves quickly with daily use, and it is perfectly fine to ask people to repeat themselves.

When to ask for help

If low mood, anxiety or loneliness lasts more than a couple of weeks, or gets worse, it is time to talk. In a boarding school the first people to go to are the houseparent, tutor, school nurse or counsellor. At university there is a personal tutor, a student wellbeing or counselling service, and the GP. In an emergency, call 999. Parents can find practical ideas in our article on supporting a child studying abroad.

How YES can help

Before departure we talk students through what the first weeks are likely to feel like, and we look with families at the support their school or university offers, in Turkish or English. Whether your child is heading to a boarding school or to university, get in touch with any questions about preparing for the move.

This article is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice. Rules change; always check the official sources before you apply.