Travel Tips for Indian Students Before Going to UK

India has been a favorite destination for Indian students for many years due to its top-rated universities, research facilities, and promising future opportunities. According to the UK Home Office’s data, 90,669 Indian students were issued visas in the 12 months ending in September 2021.

If you are a study traveling to the UK for future studies, here is what you should take care of:

1. Documents - Documents are an essential part of the packing because, with a complete set of required documents, you may be able to leave the destination airport. You must ensure that your passport, visa, and medical documents (like TB test, etc.) are in your hand baggage. You also need to categorize your educational documents as the university requires. To find the educational documents list, check the university website or email them to get the final list. Keep all your documents in hand baggage only because if check-in baggage is misplaced, you are safe in terms of entering the UK and taking admission.
2. The food items - The first thing you miss after being away from home is the kind of food you have been eating all through your life. Food in the UK is very bland, and it takes months to adapt to that taste. It is better that you travel prepared by carrying dried and packaged food. Dried milk items are prohibited, so do not think of having that.
   It would be best not to carry Indian spices, as powdered items are scanned at customs. Anyways, you get all herbs in the UK. Many Indian stores have these items. You may carry Maggi masala with you if you want anything immediately after being in the UK. To prepare for immediate needs, take instant food packets, including Maggi, pasta, etc.
3. Electronics items - Carry your laptop if you have one in India, but if you plan to buy a new one, you should believe it in India. The UK is not as good as the US at buying electronics. You will get the same configurations at a higher cost in the UK. Whether you buy your laptop in India or the UK, check the specification your university has recommended for laptops. You can consider using your credit cards for more convenience.
   All phones from India work in the UK, so you may carry the one you are currently using. You may want a better camera because capturing this unique journey is a must. Sockets in the UK are different from those in India, so you should take universal adaptors for your Indian electronics along with the chargers.
4. Utensils - Some basic utensils that we use in India are difficult to find in the UK, and if you see, they cost huge. One of the essential items is a pressure cooker because it helps to cook many things. If space allows, then you can take tawa and kadhai with you, but even if you can't, then don't worry; you will get these items in the UK but in a little different shape. Carry utensils in check-in luggage and not in cabin luggage.
5. Medicines - You are advised to carry some essential medication with you as you only get a few of these over-the-counter medicines with a prescription. The ones that are available in the UK without a prescription, you will not know them. We should carry drugs we use in India for fever, common cold, cough, body pain, etc. Security checkups at the airports may ask for the bills of these medicines, so do keep these handy.
6. Clothing and Footwear – the UK is a cold country, so you should carry warm and cozy clothes. You should also check the university site for the permissible kind of clothes.
   It would be best to take only a few clothes in your baggage as the clothing is quite reasonable in the UK. Good jackets are required to stay warm in the UK throughout the year, but it is better to buy them in the UK, except for one jacket you will need from the airport to your hostel. Footwear and other accessories can be purchased in the UK at a very reasonable price, but wear shoes that cover your feet while traveling to the UK.
7. Bank Accounts and credit cards – Before moving to the UK, research how and where you can open your bank account. One of the UK's best international student bank accounts is The Barclays Student Additions Account (International). It is seamless to send and receive money from abroad through this bank. Get a student credit card too. An excellent way to raise credit quickly is to apply for a student with rewards and unique financing options.
8. International Calling Plans – Once you reach the UK, you need to talk to your family. Though Wi-Fi will be available most of the time, sometimes you will require different mobile plans with adequate data and international calling options. You can find all the details here.
9. Shared Accommodation – As a student, it is very tough to find cheaper rent apartments. However, you will find that on Facebook and WhatsApp groups, similar students can rent an apartment together so that rent can be divided. You can see the details here.
10. Ways to earn money as a student – Students often need part-time jobs for monthly living expenses. Most universities offer on-campus jobs for limited hours. So, try to find that information. Those might be in café, dining services, catering services, teaching assistants, Graduate assistants, etc. Talk to the students already in the UK at the same university.
11. Other important items - Some essential items you will need immediately after reaching the UK, even before you get time for shopping. You may carry a bedspread, pillowcases, and bath towels (if only your luggage space allows) from India. You get perfect Duvets in the UK, specifically designed for the winters there, so do not carry blankets from India. You should have money on your travel card or cash for the initial expenses in a new nation.

You can follow the guidelines from the above points, and you are good to start a new phase of your life.