You have landed. The plane has touched down. The excitement is real but so is the anxiety.
Your first week abroad defines your entire semester. If you get this week right then the rest of your studies will be smooth. If you get it wrong then you will spend months playing catch-up.
Thousands of students go through this process. The ones who struggle are usually the ones who treat the first week like a holiday. The ones who succeed treat it like a mission.
You need a plan. You need to focus on logistics first and feelings second.
Here is your essential guide to surviving tips in your first week abroad.
Day 1: The Immediate Essentials
Do not try to do everything on the first day. Your body is tired from the flight. Your brain is foggy from the time difference. Focus only on three things.
1. Get Connected Immediately
Do not leave the airport without internet access. Many students think they can rely on free Wi-Fi. This is a mistake. Public Wi-Fi is unreliable. You need data to check Google Maps. You need it to order a taxi. You need it to message your family.
Buy a prepaid SIM card at the airport arrival hall. It might cost $5 more than in the city. Pay the extra money. The convenience is worth it.
If your phone supports eSIM then buy a plan online before you fly. This lets you have data the moment you land.
2. Get Some Local Cash
We live in a digital world. But you still need physical cash. Some taxis do not take cards. Some small food stalls are cash-only.
Withdraw a small amount of local currency from an ATM at the airport. Avoid the currency exchange booths if possible. They often charge high fees. An ATM usually gives you a better rate.
Keep this cash safe. Do not flash it around. It is for emergencies only.
3. Contact Home
Your family is worried about you. Send a simple text or make a quick video call as soon as you reach your accommodation. You do not need to talk for an hour. Just tell them you are safe. Tell them you have your keys. Tell them you are going to sleep.
This stops them from panicking. It lets you focus on settling in without your phone buzzing every five minutes.
Days 2-3: The Boring Legal Stuff
You are rested. Now you must do the work. These next two days are for administration. These tasks are boring but they are critical. You cannot start your life until these are done.
4. Collect Your Biometric ID
If you are in the UK you need your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit). In Europe you might need a Residence Permit. In the US you must check in with your International Student Office.
This is your legal proof of residence. You often cannot open a bank account or rent a flat without it.
Check your decision letter. It tells you where to pick this up. Go there first thing in the morning. The lines get long in the afternoon.
5. Open a Bank Account
This is often the hardest task for international students. Traditional banks ask for many documents. They want proof of address. They want a student status letter. They want your passport.
If you struggle with a big bank then try a digital bank first. Banks like Revolut, Monzo, or Wise are easier to set up. They allow you to spend money locally without high fees.
You can switch to a traditional bank later. For now you just need a way to pay for groceries without using your home country card. Foreign transaction fees add up very quickly.
6. Register with a Doctor
Do not wait until you are sick to find a doctor.
In the UK you must register with a GP (General Practitioner). In other countries you need to find a clinic that accepts your student insurance.
Find the health center nearest to your accommodation. Walk in and ask how to register. Fill out the forms now.
If you get the flu in week three you will be happy you did this.
Pro Tip: Take photos of all your documents. Keep them in a secure folder on your phone. You will need your passport number and visa details many times this week.
Days 4-5: Learning Your City
You are now legal. You have money. You have an ID. Now you need to learn how to survive outside your room.
7. Master Public Transport
Taxis are expensive. You are a student on a budget. You need to learn the bus and train system.
Download the local transport app. Citymapper is great for major cities. Google Maps is good for everywhere else.
Look for student discounts. Most cities offer a "Student Travel Card" or a monthly pass. This is much cheaper than buying a ticket every single time you travel.
Take a test ride. Go to the city center and come back. Learn how the ticket gates work. Learn which side of the street the bus stops on. It is better to get lost now than when you are rushing to your first class.
8. Find the Grocery Stores
Eating at restaurants is fun but it burns your money. You need to cook. Find the local supermarket. There are usually two types. One is expensive and premium. One is budget-friendly.
As a student you want the budget-friendly one. Ask second-year students where they shop. Buy the basics. Get rice, pasta, eggs, and bread. Get some salt and pepper.
Do not buy everything at once. You have to carry it all home. Buy enough for three days.
9. Locate Your Campus
Do not trust the map on the website. Go there physically. Walk from your home to your campus. Time how long it takes. Find the specific building where your classes will be.
University campuses are huge. They are like small cities. Finding "Building C" can take 20 minutes if you do not know where you are going.
Find the library. Find the cafeteria. Find the International Office. When classes start on Monday you will walk in with confidence. You will not be the student running late and sweating because they got lost.
Day 6-7: Building Your Social Circle
You have your logistics sorted. Now you need friends. Loneliness is the biggest challenge in the first week. You are far from home. You do not know anyone. This is normal. Everyone feels this way.
10. Say "Yes" to Invitations
This is the golden rule of the first week. If someone asks you to get coffee say yes. If someone invites you to a campus tour say yes. If there is a welcome party say yes.
You might be tired. You might be shy. Go anyway. You do not have to be best friends with these people forever. You just need to meet them.
Connections snowball. You meet one person. They introduce you to two people. Suddenly you have a group.
11. Attend Orientation Events
Orientation is not just about rules. It is a social mixer. Universities spend money to organize these events for you. They have free food. They have games. They have tours.
Go to them alone. It forces you to talk to people. Look for other people who are standing alone. They are waiting for someone to talk to them. Be that person.
A simple "Hi, where are you from?" is the only opening line you need.
12. Connect with Your Roommates
If you live in a shared flat your roommates are your immediate family. Make an effort with them. Suggest a group dinner. Offer to share your snacks.
Set some ground rules early. Talk about cleaning. Talk about noise. Talk about guests. A good relationship with roommates makes your home a sanctuary. A bad relationship makes it a prison.
Handling Culture Shock
You might feel great for the first few days. Then suddenly you might feel sad or angry. This is culture shock.
Everything is different. The food tastes different. The people act differently. The language is fast.
13. Observe Before You Judge
Do not get angry because things are different. Be curious.
If the shop closes early do not complain. Ask why. If people do not smile on the train do not think they are rude. That might be the local custom.
You are a guest in their country. Adapt to their way of life. Do not expect them to adapt to yours.
14. Create a "Safe Space" Routine
When the new culture gets overwhelming you need a break.
Create a small routine that feels like home. Maybe you watch one episode of your favorite show every night. Maybe you call your best friend on Sundays. Maybe you cook a meal from your home country.
This gives your brain a rest. It recharges you so you can go back out and explore the next day.
Managing Your Money
The first week is expensive. You have to buy bed sheets. You have to buy kitchen pots. You have to pay deposits.
15. The "Latte Factor"
Small purchases add up. A coffee here and a sandwich there can ruin your budget. Download a currency converter app. When you buy something check the price in your home currency.
It is easy to spend "Monopoly money." Foreign notes do not feel real. Remind yourself that they are real.
16. Student Discounts
Always ask if there is a student discount. Ask at the cinema. Ask at the clothing store. Ask at the tech shop.
You have a student ID. Use it. You can save 10% to 20% on many things. This adds up over a year.
Safety and Health Basics
You are in a new environment. You do not know the risks yet.
17. Know the Emergency Numbers
In the US it is 911. In the UK it is 999. In Europe it is 112. Memorize the number for your country. Save it in your phone.
Also save the number for campus security. They can often reach you faster than the police if you are on university grounds.
18. Trust Your Gut
If a street looks dark do not walk down it. If a stranger makes you uncomfortable walk away.
You do not need to be polite if you feel unsafe. Your safety is more important than being nice.
Stay in groups at night during this first week. You do not know the safe and unsafe areas yet.
Academic Preparation
Do not forget why you are there. You are there to study.
19. Decode the Syllabus
Log into your student portal. Download the syllabus for your classes. Look at the reading list. Look at the assignment dates.
Different countries have different academic styles.
In the UK you do a lot of independent reading.
In the US you have many small quizzes and participation grades.
Understand the game before you start playing.
20. Find Your Study Spot
Your room is for sleeping. You need a place to work. Go to the library. Try different floors. Some are silent. Some are for group work. Find the spot that works for you.
Connect your laptop to the university Wi-Fi (often called Eduroam). Make sure your passwords work.
Staying in Touch
You want to talk to your parents. But you need balance.
21. The Goldilocks Rule
Calling home five times a day is too much. It stops you from making friends here.
Calling home once a month is too little. You will lose your support system. Find the middle ground. Schedule a regular time. Maybe Sunday evening is "Family Time."
This allows you to be fully present in your new country during the week. You can tell your family all your stories on Sunday.
Summary Checklist for Week 1
Use this simple list to track your progress.
Day 1
- Buy a SIM card.
- Get small cash.
- Message home.
Day 2-3
- Pick up BRP/ID card.
- Open bank account.
- Register with a doctor.
Day 4-5
- Get a transport card.
- Buy groceries.
- Walk to campus.
Day 6-7
- Attend an orientation event.
- Talk to 3 new people.
- Set up library Wi-Fi.
Conclusion
Be patient with yourself. You will get lost. You will buy the wrong milk. You will feel lonely.
This is not failure. This is growth. Every student you see on campus went through this same week. They survived. You will survive too.
Take a deep breath. Follow the steps. By next week you will stop feeling like a tourist and start feeling like a local.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to feel lonely in the first week?
Yes. Almost every student feels this way. It is called culture shock. You are in a new place and your brain is processing a lot of changes. Do not stay in your room. Go to campus events even if you feel shy. The feeling usually passes after 10 days once you have a routine.
How much cash should I carry for the first week?
You should have enough cash for immediate small purchases like food and taxis. About $200 to $300 in local currency is usually safe. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Use a prepaid travel card or your bank card for bigger payments to stay safe.
Can I look for a part-time job immediately?
You can look but you cannot start working until your visa status is clear. In some countries like the US you can only work on campus. In the UK you need your BRP card first. Focus on settling in for the first two weeks before you add the stress of a job.
What apps should I download right away?
You need three types of apps. First is navigation like Google Maps or Citymapper. Second is communication like WhatsApp. Third is a translation app like Google Translate if you do not speak the local language fluently.
What if I get lost in the city?
Do not panic. If you have data on your phone use Google Maps to find your way. If your phone dies walk into a large shop or a hotel. They are safe places where you can ask for help or charge your phone. Always write down your accommodation address on a piece of paper and keep it in your wallet just in case.
Should I buy a SIM card or use international roaming?
Buy a local SIM card. International roaming is very expensive and the data is often slow. A local plan is cheaper and gives you a local phone number which you need for banks and job applications.
How do I make friends if I am shy?
The best way is to join clubs or societies. This helps you meet people who like the same things as you. It is easier to talk about a shared hobby than to make small talk with strangers. Everyone is looking for friends in the first week so people are generally very friendly.