How to overcome challenges faced by Chinese students in the UK?

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China is a leading country that sends students to study in the UK. As per statistics released by UK Higher Education for 21-22, about 151,690 Chinese students enrolled in UK universities.

Although many Chinese students come to the UK to study, they face many challenges while studying at universities in the UK. One of the major challenges is the communication gap. Due to this, it affects their classes, social life, jobs, etc. The cost of living is another challenge faced by the students. We have listed the challenges below with more detailed information and how to overcome them.

Why do Chinese students prefer to study in the UK?

The UK is regarded as one of the top study destinations for higher education. Chinese and other international students prefer the UK as a study destination because:

High quality of education
Course duration is less
Low cost of education
UK government provides aid and grants
Costs of tuition fees are lower than in the US
The cost of living is relatively lower than in the US
Variety of choices in courses

What are the challenges faced by Chinese students in the UK?

With all these factors above, there are some challenges too for the Chinese student. Let’s look at each of them so you can be prepared for your journey to study in the UK and find ways to overcome them.

Culture difference:

There’s a huge difference between Chinese and British culture. Culture shock is experienced by every international student who goes out to study abroad. Most Chinese students in the UK experience a cultural difference leading to isolation, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, initially, it’s always best to have a support system like a friend or family or even join a community group.

Language Barrier:

China’s official language is Mandarin; 70% of the population speaks this language. English is a second or third language in the country. So, it becomes challenging for students to communicate or understand the English teaching system in Britain. Taking some English-speaking courses is advisable to assist you with any language barrier.

Financial expenses:

The UK is an expensive country, and finance is one of the biggest challenges for students. The cost of living, tuition fees, and finding a suitable job are some of the challenges to meet their financial needs. Therefore, students can apply for financial aid and scholarships to address this challenge. Many universities in the UK offer financial aid for international students to help cover the tuition fees in the UK.

Social life and interactions:

Due to cultural differences, most Chinese students tend to mix up with only their community or group. It leads to the isolation of the community. However, few Chinese students get along just well. As international students in the UK, you can participate in events and activities outside and on campus to overcome isolation and make more friends.

Teaching and Learning System:

The UK teaching system differs from the Chinese system, and the gap is communication. Since Chinese students hardly speak English, joining group-based activities or discussions becomes challenging. This, in turn, affects the academics of the students, and they find it difficult in social transition. Therefore, communication is the key for Chinese students to learn and break all academic and social barriers in the UK.

Finding affordable student accommodation in UK:

International students find it challenging to get affordable student accommodation in the UK. That’s because they look for student housing at the last minute! But, there are affordable student apartments and student rooms in London and other cities. Booking student accommodation a few months before your journey into your academic world will save you a lot of money and help you find the best, safest and most comfortable home.

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