Having grown up in a different country and moving altogether to a different one could be a lot to process and take in.

When you study overseas, your university will spend some time going through its rules, grading criteria and study expectations, and assign you a tutor to help with any issues you have around studying.

What they usually won’t tell you is how to deal with cultural differences, which can be concurrently the most rewarding and challenging part of studying abroad.

Each country has its own unique culture that you cannot learn through textbooks but through embracing and understanding the place you have moved to.

Here are three of the biggest cultural differences when studying in the UK as an asian student and how to navigate them!

1. UK classrooms are way more interactive

It is noticed that asking questions during the class is very common in the UK. just raise your hand, ask your questions and get an answer. There is no fear of getting judged there.

Asian students tend not to ask questions or give opinions in class, because of the cultural differences are heavily responsible for this.

Learning to raise hand in class is not easy, but there is nothing to lose in asking questions. You do not look dumb, and people will never judge you or your English proficiency.

Instead, asking a question has many benefits, such as helping you remember what you’re learning, and helping confirm your understanding of what is being taught. If you do not want to miss this great learning opportunity, ask lots of questions.

2. UK students are very politically

minded It is pretty common to see students skip class to join strikes and protests.

Strikes and protests happened for a range of causes, from promoting women’s rights to stopping racism or raising awareness about the urgency of the climate crisis.

These priorities are somewhat rooted in our culture, I think.

3. You have to pay for plastic bags in the UK

In the UK you must ask for a plastic bag in a shop and they cost 10p. You’ll also find paper straws being used instead of plastic ones.

This is because of a UK government law that came in a few years ago to help curb the use of single-use plastics.

It’s just another example of culture shaping our social attitudes toward nature and the environment and is easy enough to adapt to.

All these cultural differences can be challenging and frustrating at first, but if you have an open mind they will become differences worth cherishing.