Helpful Tips
Here are some helpful tips and tricks to keep in mind for anyone thinking of studying abroad in London. These are just from my experience, but I these are some things I wish I knew or took more to heart before studying at the University of Roehampton.
​Tip #1: Plan Trips at Least One Month in Advance
When planning my trips to Scotland and Prague, I found myself overpaying for flights, trains and lodging because I did not plan these trips earlier. If you plan early enough, you can find good, direct flights for cheap.
Tip #2: Do Not Take Trains
Many people will tell you that Europe has a world-class train system across the continent that is cheap, efficient and good for the environment. While my experience was only one of many, I did not see any good options for trains that were much cheaper than a flight, with most tickets actually costing more than flying. The trains would also take hours and often require long layovers if there was no direct line to where you wanted to go. The trip from London, England to Oban, Scotland took more than twelve hours total! Note, this only applies to long-distance travel; when getting around London, the Tube is amazing for travel.
Tip #3: Request Housing in Elm Grove
While I did not see every dorm, I think the best ones on campus would probably have to be Elm Grove. Elm Grove is located in the center of campus, very close to the library and main entrance and the rooms were incredibly nice, if kept clean.
Tip #4: Be Prepared to Read and Attend Every Lecture
British education is based way more on observation and is therefore textbook and lecture heavy. With many classes basing your entire grade off one end of the semester paper or test, it is paramount that one keeps up with their studies, participates in class and reads their textbook or other required readings.
Tip #5: Budget for Groceries
While the University of Roehampton has some form of a meal plan, many students tell me it isn’t worth the money and food is therefore something you have to get yourself. Budgeting for groceries is by far the easiest way to go about this, as groceries in the United Kingdom are exceptionally cheap and all the dorms have kitchens as well as kitchen packs that come as part of the tuition paid by UH Manoa international students.
Tip #6: Nothing in London is Free
Something that I learned the hard way about London is that nothing in the city (except for the healthcare) is free. I don’t just mean entry fees for clubs or other extra fees; things that we normally take for granted as “given” in the United States, such as a side of fries, snacks on a long train ride or water at a restaurant are shilling and dimed in the UK. I once bought an order of loaded fries and was charged for peri-peri spice on the fries. I wish I were joking.
Tip #7: Learn to Enjoy the Night
This rule goes double if you're visiting London in the Fall semester. Days are way shorter in the UK on account of how far north they are. This problem is only compounded by daylight savings time. By the time December rolled around, the sun would set before 4:00 and at least half the time I spent awake was in darkness. This makes sleep management even more difficult as it is easy to lose track of time in so much darkness and stay up too late, which causes one to sleep in late and lose even more daylight.
Tip #8: Engage with Pub Culture
Even if you aren’t one for drinking, one should definitely engage with Britain’s famous pub culture and try any number of events that occur in bars around town like trivia night or soccer matches. I met some of my best friends in the UK by attending events at the Union Bar on campus and was particularly fond of karaoke.
Tip #9: Smiling at People is Not Normal
In the US and Hawaii especially, kind gestures such as smiling and waving at people we see or throwing up a shaka when a car lets us cross the street is fairly commonplace. However, the people of London might find this behavior odd, with some believing that smiling at them means you’re smitten with them or potentially laughing at them. I was once even questioned by a gang of teenagers just because I was smiling while walking down the street.
Tip #10: Don’t Pick a Soccer Team
Going to Britain, one might be tempted to root for the local soccer team (yes, they call it football, but they don’t care if you call it soccer). While going to soccer games and supporting the team is fun, it is best not to get too invested as soccer is taken far more seriously in the United Kingdom. At best, rooting for the wrong team can get one ostracized or teased; at worst, it can be a genuine safety hazard.