London life, international style: the ultimate international student’s guide to thriving at King’s

I’m Akshara, a 17-year-old international medical student at King’s. This year, I moved from a tiny Canadian city to central London (wild, right?), so I know first-hand how exciting and daunting the move can be! That’s why I’m sharing my top tips for new international students, no gatekeeping here.

Before you dive into university life, get these sorted:

• Make sure your student visa is ready to avoid any last-minute issues.
• Get a UK SIM card ASAP (I recommend Giffgaff or Voxi) so you stay connected from day one.
• Sort your bank card early. Having this set up makes it easier when paying for things in the UK. Banks like HSBC tend to set up stalls at Welcome Hubs to help you open an account. 
• Register with King’s Health Centre for easy access to NHS services while you study.

Make sure you check out our article Settling into life in London as an international student for a full list of essentials, so you don’t miss anything!

Sign up for the International Student Welcome events this September. Designed to help international students settle in, these events help you get all the key information you need fast, plus they’re a great opportunity to meet new people.

There are online and in-person events, and both are packed with sessions to help you smoothly transition to London life, with events like Q&As, a boat tour of London and loads of social activities.

Find out more and sign up to International Student Welcome events via the Welcome to King’s app.

The best part of university? The people you meet. Join societies you’re interested in, and don’t be shy – we’re all trying to find our people!

I’d recommend trying new things during Welcome, like how I joined KCL Dance Society, and joining a cultural or national society to make connections. They’re always welcoming and can make you feel more connected to home.

Make the most of Welcome Week events. There are chill events, tours and socials to get involved with, and it’s an easy way to make friends before classes start. If you’d like advice on making friends, check out Neha’s article for her tips on finding your tribe.

As a medicine student, I thought I’d be glued to Guy’s campus but, plot twist, I spend half my time at Strand for dance. Campuses aren’t as far apart as they might seem, so get out and start discovering the city! Check out Giulia’s article for more tips on travelling between campuses.

Before exploring the city, one of my top tips is to make sure you get an 18+ Student Oyster Photocard or link a 16-25 Railcard so you can save money on travel. Don’t forget, walking is often faster than buses, with no delays or fares. But bring your umbrella, because London weather can be wild!

Let’s talk saving money:

• Shop at budget supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi. Your wallet will thank you!
• The King’s Chaplaincy sometimes offers free lunches and relaxed spaces to chill — there’s one on every campus.
• KCLSU and King’s Food outlets are affordable gems, so go with friends between lectures.
• Pro tip: Looking for part-time work? King’s Talent Bank offers flexible, well-paid student jobs that won’t clash with your classes, so make sure to check them out!

Homesick? I get it. Month one hit hard. I was 17, alone, living halfway across the world. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you need some support – King’s has a load of resources for new international students on Student Services Online. But trust me, it gets better. I called family, cooked comfort food and even sat outside the Canadian embassy in Trafalgar Square. Little things like that can help with homesickness.

My final tip? It gets better, and before you know it, you’ll fit in. I can’t imagine leaving London now! You’ve got it all here: museums, markets, random walks. London is magic when you let it be. Use those weekends, travel off-peak, bus-hop and be a tourist (cringey pictures included). Make memories, mistakes, best friends and go on way too many late-night Tesco runs.

Have fun and enjoy the ride. This is your coming-of-age movie moment, so go live it.