Really very happy to hear that. I wish you the very best. I really hope this experience will be everything you want it to be. Keep writing :) Best wishes to you!
Depending on where you are going, you should find anything 'Indian' that you need without any issues. (Although I would recommend you bring a pressure cooker with you from India.)
Keep your Indian number though - specially if you are planning to go back after your degree. I have been here a while and I just pay the minimum fee to maintain that number.
And do the whole registering with the GP, applying for NIN (number) once you land + collecting your BRP if you are opting for the university to receive it on your behalf.
If you're here just for a year and don't want to keep using your forex card (it can be annoying as you'll have to sign receipts everytime you make a purchase), try online banks like Monzo or similar (haven't used myself but hear its alright). If not Lloyd's is good too.
You can check ifast banking for that matter. Go see the website, i have been using since i moved. Easy to open from india, and can keep using even when move globally.
National Insurance Number - you will need it when applying for jobs etc. But if you're planning to go back, it's worth checking what others in similar position have done. Same goes for opening a bank account. Forex card should get you through the year.
Ahhhhhh! Let me see the cost of the forex card and then go see about opening a bank account. If you know someone who has used both and can tell which is more cost effective do let me know :)
Will do! I used a forex card for a few weeks initially until I got my bank account sorted.
Having an account helps with transactions online. I remember some online payments not going through with forex card. But will ask around and keep you posted.
Hey Daribha, I know the additional frisking process is really weird but it happened to me and a friend of mine too. I had a corporate job for 8 years after my bachelor’s so I had to provide offer letters and salary slips going back to 2014. They also asked us to do a TB test as a requirement to get the visa. Once you get to uni, it will start to feel a little less discriminating. I went to Cambridge last year and it was the best year of my life yet. OTPs - A lot of my friends switched OTP to email instead of the phone number. Turns out you can do that for your all your bank accounts.
Oh that's a great idea! I didn't even think about that. Let me ask my bank how long it takes. I had to do the TB test too! I wish they didn't ask for so many things once we have fulfilled the conditions of the UKVI website checklist. I'm glad you had a good time and it stops getting this bad once you get there :)
Came here for your IG announcements for this...I must say I am constantly yet pleasantly suprised by what you do and the changes you take on. Good luck on your endeavours :)
p.s - we cannot wait for you to give us your take on living in U.K
Congratulations! Changing landscapes can be exciting and scary. As an international student, I may partially understand how you feel. Wishing you strength and love.
Hi Daribha! I have been following you on Instagram for four years and I'm so excited about this new journey in your life. I can't wait to see your UK Insta stories haha. But seriously, I'm super excited for you and I wish you all the best.
Congratulations Daribha! Preparing to leave for uni is equal parts stressful and exciting, but it only gets better once you’re settled in and navigating life as a student once again! I’d suggest not bringing any kitchen appliances from India, they’re too heavy to be carried all the way here. Small (basic) rice cookers aren’t that expensive (i bought mine for £30!) and make life much easier.
One thing that people never talk about is how horrible the toothbrushes in the UK are. It sounds so trivial, but a single (!!!) basic toothbrush will set you back £4-5! I always bring back dozens of toothbrushes from India! Similarly, razors!
A universal power strip and an adapter will be quite handy since I’m assuming you’ll be using all your Indian plugs and chargers. This way you won’t need multiple adapters for your chargers- just one for the power strip!
A general packing tip would be to not bring any of your warm clothes from back home since the weather here demands waterproof winterwear~ but it doesn’t hurt to bring along a couple of nicer coats/jackets ☺️
Stationery is always a good idea~ Notebooks here are unnecessarily expensive and generally quite bad so save yourself the disappointment and bring your own writing supplies!
Congratulations Daribha! Preparing to leave for uni is equal parts stressful and exciting, but it only gets better once you’re settled in and navigating life as a student once again! I’d suggest not bringing any kitchen appliances from India, they’re too heavy to be carried all the way here. Small (basic) rice cookers aren’t that expensive (i bought mine for £30!) and make life much easier.
One thing that people never talk about is how horrible the toothbrushes in the UK are. It sounds so trivial, but a single (!!!) basic toothbrush will set you back £4-5! I always bring back dozens of toothbrushes from India! Similarly, razors!
A universal power strip and an adapter will be quite handy since I’m assuming you’ll be using all your Indian plugs and chargers. This way you won’t need multiple adapters for your chargers- just one for the power strip!
A general packing tip would be to not bring any of your warm clothes from back home since the weather here demands waterproof winterwear~ but it doesn’t hurt to bring along a couple of nicer coats/jackets ☺️
Stationery is always a good idea~ Notebooks here are unnecessarily expensive and generally quite bad so save yourself the disappointment and bring your own writing supplies!
Congratulations Daribha and kudos to you to take this step! 🎉
Yes, please keep your indian no. active for OTPs as you will need those for reloading your forex care and stuff. You can just add on an international roaming service pack which allows you to receive messages free of charge and its very reasonable, its Rs. 150 in Vodafone i guess.
Also, I myself moved to the UK last year (not as a student though) so please let me know should you need anything or even if you want to hangout as it does get slightly lonely at times. All the very best! 😊
Woohoo, so exciting!! I think other people have covered most of the big things. Something I do is to start taking vitamin D from September, seasonal depression is a bitch and ensuring you have enough vitamin D helps. Also, before you come here, I suggest going to all the doctors for checkups, while the NHS is free is can take weeks to see a GP who will then refer you to a specialist; there is a bunch of hassle.
Fun times ahead to you Dariiii
Very excite and stressed! Come visit me there!
Hi Daribha,
Congratulations 🎉
Really very happy to hear that. I wish you the very best. I really hope this experience will be everything you want it to be. Keep writing :) Best wishes to you!
Thank you!
I am stuck in a very similar conundrum. And reading this was platonic life update was so relatable.
All the best to you.More power. :)
All the best to you!
Hey Daribha,
Congratulations - very happy for you.
Depending on where you are going, you should find anything 'Indian' that you need without any issues. (Although I would recommend you bring a pressure cooker with you from India.)
Keep your Indian number though - specially if you are planning to go back after your degree. I have been here a while and I just pay the minimum fee to maintain that number.
And do the whole registering with the GP, applying for NIN (number) once you land + collecting your BRP if you are opting for the university to receive it on your behalf.
If you're here just for a year and don't want to keep using your forex card (it can be annoying as you'll have to sign receipts everytime you make a purchase), try online banks like Monzo or similar (haven't used myself but hear its alright). If not Lloyd's is good too.
All the best!
NIN? I will have to check that! Is it advisable to get a foreign bank account even if I am only there for a year?
You can check ifast banking for that matter. Go see the website, i have been using since i moved. Easy to open from india, and can keep using even when move globally.
National Insurance Number - you will need it when applying for jobs etc. But if you're planning to go back, it's worth checking what others in similar position have done. Same goes for opening a bank account. Forex card should get you through the year.
Ahhhhhh! Let me see the cost of the forex card and then go see about opening a bank account. If you know someone who has used both and can tell which is more cost effective do let me know :)
Will do! I used a forex card for a few weeks initially until I got my bank account sorted.
Having an account helps with transactions online. I remember some online payments not going through with forex card. But will ask around and keep you posted.
I don’t have any advice to give. But as a long time follower on IG, I’m super happy to hear this.
Praying for your health and new experience and the studies.
To greater heights!
Thank you!
Hey Daribha, I know the additional frisking process is really weird but it happened to me and a friend of mine too. I had a corporate job for 8 years after my bachelor’s so I had to provide offer letters and salary slips going back to 2014. They also asked us to do a TB test as a requirement to get the visa. Once you get to uni, it will start to feel a little less discriminating. I went to Cambridge last year and it was the best year of my life yet. OTPs - A lot of my friends switched OTP to email instead of the phone number. Turns out you can do that for your all your bank accounts.
Oh that's a great idea! I didn't even think about that. Let me ask my bank how long it takes. I had to do the TB test too! I wish they didn't ask for so many things once we have fulfilled the conditions of the UKVI website checklist. I'm glad you had a good time and it stops getting this bad once you get there :)
Would love to meet up in the UK!!
This is amazing. I love this new journey for you and I wish you lots of love and luck with this adventure. 🥹😍
Thank you!!!
Hi Daribha,
Came here for your IG announcements for this...I must say I am constantly yet pleasantly suprised by what you do and the changes you take on. Good luck on your endeavours :)
p.s - we cannot wait for you to give us your take on living in U.K
Thank you!!!
Hi Daribha,
Congratulations! Changing landscapes can be exciting and scary. As an international student, I may partially understand how you feel. Wishing you strength and love.
Thank you!
Hi Daribha! I have been following you on Instagram for four years and I'm so excited about this new journey in your life. I can't wait to see your UK Insta stories haha. But seriously, I'm super excited for you and I wish you all the best.
Thank you!
Congratulations Daribha! Preparing to leave for uni is equal parts stressful and exciting, but it only gets better once you’re settled in and navigating life as a student once again! I’d suggest not bringing any kitchen appliances from India, they’re too heavy to be carried all the way here. Small (basic) rice cookers aren’t that expensive (i bought mine for £30!) and make life much easier.
One thing that people never talk about is how horrible the toothbrushes in the UK are. It sounds so trivial, but a single (!!!) basic toothbrush will set you back £4-5! I always bring back dozens of toothbrushes from India! Similarly, razors!
A universal power strip and an adapter will be quite handy since I’m assuming you’ll be using all your Indian plugs and chargers. This way you won’t need multiple adapters for your chargers- just one for the power strip!
A general packing tip would be to not bring any of your warm clothes from back home since the weather here demands waterproof winterwear~ but it doesn’t hurt to bring along a couple of nicer coats/jackets ☺️
Stationery is always a good idea~ Notebooks here are unnecessarily expensive and generally quite bad so save yourself the disappointment and bring your own writing supplies!
Congratulations Daribha! Preparing to leave for uni is equal parts stressful and exciting, but it only gets better once you’re settled in and navigating life as a student once again! I’d suggest not bringing any kitchen appliances from India, they’re too heavy to be carried all the way here. Small (basic) rice cookers aren’t that expensive (i bought mine for £30!) and make life much easier.
One thing that people never talk about is how horrible the toothbrushes in the UK are. It sounds so trivial, but a single (!!!) basic toothbrush will set you back £4-5! I always bring back dozens of toothbrushes from India! Similarly, razors!
A universal power strip and an adapter will be quite handy since I’m assuming you’ll be using all your Indian plugs and chargers. This way you won’t need multiple adapters for your chargers- just one for the power strip!
A general packing tip would be to not bring any of your warm clothes from back home since the weather here demands waterproof winterwear~ but it doesn’t hurt to bring along a couple of nicer coats/jackets ☺️
Stationery is always a good idea~ Notebooks here are unnecessarily expensive and generally quite bad so save yourself the disappointment and bring your own writing supplies!
Stationery is one thing people keep telling me about! Ok and now toothbrush so will carry mine. Thank you for all these tips!
Congratulations Daribha! Excited to read your dispatches from there :) Good luck with everything ahead.
thank you!
Congratulations Daribha and kudos to you to take this step! 🎉
Yes, please keep your indian no. active for OTPs as you will need those for reloading your forex care and stuff. You can just add on an international roaming service pack which allows you to receive messages free of charge and its very reasonable, its Rs. 150 in Vodafone i guess.
Also, I myself moved to the UK last year (not as a student though) so please let me know should you need anything or even if you want to hangout as it does get slightly lonely at times. All the very best! 😊
Thank you! And yes for sure!
Woohoo, so exciting!! I think other people have covered most of the big things. Something I do is to start taking vitamin D from September, seasonal depression is a bitch and ensuring you have enough vitamin D helps. Also, before you come here, I suggest going to all the doctors for checkups, while the NHS is free is can take weeks to see a GP who will then refer you to a specialist; there is a bunch of hassle.
Yeah i read about this issue with NHS. I will add vitamin D to the list of medications. Good idea!