Missing home? How to survive (and thrive) as a student living in London

Being far from home is difficult. So many of us are far away from whatever we may think of as home: our childhood house, our parents, and our pets. This is true for students everywhere, but especially at SOAS, which has a particularly diverse student body. I have flown here from Mumbai, India, so to me, London is physically but also culturally distant from home. I would like to share some of the ways I have managed through term one.  

Adapting to British weather

Every day, I try and make the most of the sunlight. When I wake up, I find myself checking the weather app before I even pull myself out of bed, dreading what the British weather has to offer today. But I make it a point to schedule my day to maximise sunlight. Lunch? On a park bench. Reading for class? By the library windows. Travel? The upper deck of the bus. Most importantly, any task I do not enjoy has to be done in the afternoon when the sun comes out. This means that all my laundry and grocery shopping happens between 1 - 4 pm. Ultimately, this is helpful psychologically because the dark can get demoralising. Still, especially if you come from a tropical climate, it is important to take vitamin D supplements. Another option is to invest in a SAD lamp. SAD stands for 'seasonal affective disorder' (SAD), which can be due to reduced exposure to sunlight during winter and impact your energy levels. A SAD lamp can be a relatively inexpensive way to add more light to your day.

Learning new skills

I have been privileged that before moving here, I never had to cook for myself. Not only had I never used a stove top, I had never even switched on a toaster or a kettle. This meant a massive new skill set I had to learn once I got here or face the central London prices. It is lovely to eat outside, especially because SOAS is located close to an excellent array of restaurants, with Tottenham Court Road just around the corner, but it is simply not feasible to eat out every day. This meant that I had to balance learning how to write an academic essay with learning how to open a head of garlic. It has been a challenging experience, but here are some things that make it easier.

Firstly, meal prep! When I come home on a Monday at 9 pm, I simply know that unless my food can be on my plate within 10 minutes, I am not going to cook and will resort to a packet of Walkers. So every Sunday, I do my grocery shopping and boil and chop everything I can, so all that is left is assembly. An alternative is often buying things like pre-chopped garlic, but the cost of those can add up.

Secondly, cook for friends! Everyone is just as exhausted (and lazy) as you are, so make a meal for a friend, I promise they will feed you in return. Another result of this is getting to explore foods from many different cultures which can be an incredible bonding experience. Lastly, eat out! At the end of the day, what is important is that you continue to nourish your body and on some days, that can be a Tesco meal deal, but it will always rank above the option of skipping a meal. Try not to skip meals, and be easy on yourself, the meal deal at lunch is fuel for you to finish your assignment and make yourself a lovely dinner.  

Building a community

We have some physiological needs: sunlight and food. But a community is often just as important. Being alone is primarily what makes the experience of moving away so daunting, but we must remember we are not actually alone! Hundreds of students at SOAS itself are having the same experience of feeling isolated, especially if they are shifting to the west and encountering this degree of city-life individualism for the first time.

Again, don't be hard on yourself if you haven't managed to make friends this term or you haven't spoken to as many people as you would have liked to. I have definitely sat on campus outside the main building and wondered, why am I the only one without someone to talk to? The answer is just that this is not true. I just have to make an effort to talk to people, and most often, it is as easy as that to make a new friend. Ask for their number! Offer to go have hot chocolate together! Everyone wants to socialise and hear your unique story. Of course, this is easier said than done, but it is about being willing to put yourself out there. My personal favourite has been the foosball table at the SU: play a game with strangers and interact in a low-pressure environment.

This has been my personal experience of struggling with the weather, eating and dealing with feelings of loneliness. Everyone has their own set of issues that have been their biggest obstacles when it comes to being away from home. I hope you recognise that you are not alone in any of these experiences and these tips help you to settle into student life in London.

Get the support you need

If you need to talk to someone or get further support to help you settle into university life, the Student Advice and Wellbeing team is committed to making sure your time here is a success. Get in touch: studentadviceandwellbeing@soas.ac.uk.