Had I known these things, I would have prepared better and ultimately settled in faster. So, here goes my 10 tips for studying in the UK:
- Hairstyle: Ladies, be sure to come with “dada”. At least that way, you can loosen it during the summer when you go back to Nigeria. Guys, skin-cut (skondo), at least it wouldn’t have grown too much by the Summer… LOL.
- Relationships (opposite sex): Let me allow you to experience this in person. But, I have written extensively about it, here.
- The Sun: Carry enough sunlight from Nigeria, because, we are in short supply here. Ask me how I dry my clothes? I use the heater in my house! My smelling shoes nko? — I still haven’t found a solution to it…
- Washing Machine: Hand-washing is a thing of the past. Some houses even have dishwashers. So yeah 🙂
- Bathroom and Toilet operations: What is a Bucket? I see that you are not accustomed to using the shower to have your bath…well, I’ve got news for you; ‘bucket and bowl’ are alien here 🙂
- Clothing: Asides from your underwear, we don’t need any of your Nigerian Clothes. For that your starched shirt, you’d buy good stuff from Primark. Except, you don’t mind looking odd.
- Foodstuff: Garri, Stock fish, Pepper, Indomie (not noodles) missing from your cooking kit? Where do you think you are going? My friend, go back and pack properly, LOL. Don’t pack powdered milk oh! For some reason it is contraband. Google more.
- Language and Mannerism: So, I heard you don’t smoke, F-word nko?…interesting. Be sure not to join bahd gang. Man, old enough to be your father would be calling you “mate” and you too, you want to reply abi? (no Nigerian home-training… Haha). Just kidding, you’d get used to that and saying “cheers”.
- Job Opportunities: “Graduate scheme 30,000 pounds starting salary…” wait, come, would you need a Visa sponsorship (work-permit) to remain in the UK? Well, chances are slim, but it is still very possible. Also, you can get a per-time job; in order to do that, you need to apply for a National Insurance Number (NIN). N.B: if you have IT, digital and tech skills, it would be easier to sell yourself as one of the only few people who can do the kind of work you do. E.g Big Data Analytics, AI etc.
- Gadgets: Welcome to the world of Macbooks. An “Applefied” life. LOL. There are other brands but if one is not careful, you’d think it is a sin to use something other than an Apple product in this place.
Hope you got the message, though (just had to sprinkle in some exaggerations and Nigerian slangs). If you are seriously considering coming over to the UK for your Masters then I have something else for you — a blog series providing actionable tips with great context and additional resources. Start here!
