This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to take. You get to study in the UK, one of the best places for Higher Education world-wide with your tuition fees funded by the English, meet people from all over the world, get 3 years of work experience while studying, become fluent in the English language, gain your independence and become and self-sufficient adult.  Besides that you will automatically extend your horizon and get a new view on things. You will be more responsible and be able to take care of yourself.

You may be the only ones of your friends to leave your home country after high school, you should not think of this as leaving a life behind but as making the best life possible for yourself. So be brave, open and make the best of this adventure.

Culture shock is a very common phenomen for students to have in the first weeks of being in a new environment. You may feel helpless, have no appetit, be bored and just do not feel any motivation to do anything.

Please be aware that this is totally normal. Now it is important for you not to hide at home and stay by yourself and feel sorry for yourself. Go out, contact other, do sports or just go to a coffee shop in order to have a relaxing coffee. Stay active and share your feelings with others, that may be in the same situation feeling just like you.

Leaving your friends and family and coming into a new environment and culture can be difficult. It is definately a challenge and you should be aware of that.

In order to prevent a shock, you should before departure consider what it means to leave your friends and family, be by yourself, taking your own decisions and being responsible for the concequences.

Furthermore you can already get in touch with students that are already studying in the UK to learn from their experiences and get already get a glimpse of what is expecting you. You can also contact students that are leaving the same time as you in order to exchange views and expactation.

You can meet new people in your University, your job, dorm or house, sports, sports teams, activities, clubbing, etc.

It is very important to be open-minded and tolerant in order to meet new people. Always keep a smile on your face and be happy.

Remember, that you are not the only one. There are many international students and students from all over the coutry coming to your University. So they are in the exact same situation as you are and happy to meet new people.