Differences in way of life, culture and mentality

The majority of international students need time to adapt to the way of life in another country, and need help with this issue. Alongside the specialised services that exist in British universities, assistance at this level should be available up until the student leaves the UK. Questions that may seem obvious to a UK student may provoke a whole range of difficulties for students from other socio-economic backgrounds. Students’ main issues include:

• Carrying out money transfers and opening a bank account;
• Obtaining credit;
• Searching for accommodation;
• Airport transfer and temporary accommodation while searching for something permanent;
• Mobile phones;
• Accommodation budget.

Besides this, differences exist at a deeper level – differences in mentality and culture. Many international students need to recognise and overcome these in order for their studies and experience of life in the UK to bring them maximum benefit.  Seeing study as a larger project, planning study time and free time effectively, working with a budget and looking for grants will prove new experiences for the majority of students from Russia and the CIS, inasmuch as the very need to face these issues represents a difference in mentality and cultural values.