Student Story Spotlight: Amira’s First Week in the UK

Introduction

Arriving in the UK for university is exciting — and a little overwhelming. From navigating the transport system to making new friends, the first week can be a whirlwind of “firsts.”

This month, we spoke to one of ME+U's students, Amira, an international student from Malaysia, about her first week studying in the UK.

About to start her second year, Amira shares her surprises, her challenges, and the small moments that made her feel at home.

“I didn’t expect the weather to change so fast”

“On my first day, it was sunny in the morning, cloudy by lunch, and raining in the afternoon! I knew the UK was unpredictable, but experiencing it in real life was a shock. I also didn’t realise how early the shops closed compared to back home — it took some planning to make sure I had food in for dinner!”

Finding her feet

Amira says the biggest help in settling in came from joining her university’s international welcome event.

“I met three people there who are still my closest friends today. It made a huge difference to start building my social circle early. Also, just finding the nearest supermarket and knowing how to get there gave me a sense of independence.”

What she wishes she’d packed

“More warm clothes! I thought September would still be warm, but it wasn’t. A proper jumper and a waterproof coat should be at the top of the list.”

Her advice to new arrivals

“Don’t be afraid to say yes to invitations, even if you feel shy. The first week is the easiest time to make friends because everyone’s in the same situation. You might feel tired from jet lag or nervous about joining in — but it’s worth it.”

Final thoughts

Your first week in the UK will be a mix of excitement, new challenges, and unexpected moments. As Amira’s story shows, saying “yes” to opportunities, taking small steps to get organised, and embracing the surprises will help you settle in faster and make the most of your start.

📢 Are you an international student with a first-week story to share? Email us at admin@myenglishuni.com — we’d love to feature you in a future Blog Loft post :)

With love from the ME+U Team