Advice for international students

International student Oluwaferanmi reflects on the realities of moving abroad to study at Keele University, sharing personal advice on embracing change, staying connected to home, and making the most of life in a new country.

Moving over 4,000 miles away from home surely was not on my bingo card at the beginning of 2025, but somehow, some way, it appeared and trust me, it has been one of the most beautiful and life-changing decisions of my life. However, it also brought with it a multitude of challenges. 

I'll tell you 2 things no one else will tell you when they give you advice as an international student. 

Firstly, the posture of your mind matters more than your luggage. 

Everyone tells you what to pack but nobody tells you how to arrive, not just to a new country, but to a new version of yourself. The most valuable thing you can bring to Keele, the United Kingdom or any new place is not just your suitcase, it’s a particular kind of openness. A willingness to be changed by where you are, to treat every conversation, every friendship, every grey British morning as something worth paying attention to. 

Every moment is one of its kind. You will never be a first-year international student at Keele, in this season of your life, again. Choose to be fully present in it. 

So, explore without an agenda. Travel somewhere on a whim. Say yes to things that feel slightly uncomfortable. When you encounter a culture or tradition that's nothing like yours, ask questions. Be rich in your mind. Document it - a journal, a voice note, a photo, a text to yourself at 11pm, because the details you capture now will mean everything later.  

Secondly, understand that missing home is not a weakness.

You will miss home. Not just in the big, obvious moments, but in the small, unexpected things - a sound, a smell, a particular kind of laughter. And when that happens, don't push it down or feel embarrassed that you're struggling while everyone around you seems to be thriving. 

The people back home are not a chapter you've closed. They're a thread running through everything you're becoming. 

Call home. Regularly. Not just when something goes wrong. Call to share the small wins too, the funny moments, the bizarre things about British weather you still can't get used to. Keep that bond alive and let it keep you alive. Some of the best days abroad are the ones where you cook a meal from home, put on music your family listens to, and let yourself be homesick for a moment, before stepping back out into this new world you're building. 

I will leave you with these two pieces of advice for now and I hope this new world you’re stepping into is kind to you.