Olivia, are you from Kansas?

hey olivia, i moved to the UK to start my PhD, leaving a real home (long term "cohabitating" partner, lots of friends) and a reasonably good job behind. here is the advice people gave me, and which i found to work in my case:
- take something, can be small, with you that will let you make your room your home. something that will make it YOURS rather than a random room with hotel-feeling, and which gives you a feeling of home. i had a small music box, a metal cat figure, and some pictures and postcards. i stuck them up on the walls the very first day after i arrived.
- skype, with webcam. ok another VOIP service will do too - but free endless videocalls with my partner kept the relationship alive. and it's easy to keep in touch with others, too.

Thanks, Shani, this very helpful and good advise! I think just having a few familiar objects from "home" will help make the new place more like home. I am going to take your advise!

Cheers
Olivia

Hi Olivia

Just wanted to say GOOD LUCK with the move. I admire anyone moving far away from the familiar as it takes guts! Most unis have a postgrad department here running events for postgrads, many of whom are far way from home which could help and as there are so many people in the same boat it's a good way of meeting them. Hope it all goes well and all the best.

Cheers, Sassy, much appreciated.

I think things will be fine once I get across the pond...saying goodbye is hard, and everything is in a giant jumble trying to sort it, bin it, store it or move it...but I have travelled back and forth to the UK a lot with distance learning, and always WANTED to do this...the reality is a bit daunting but I am sure it will be right, and of course it is such a relief to hear that the UK has McDonalds and Starbucks! But what about Pizza Hut and KFC--the very best of what America has to offer????

LOL Olivia, we have those too!

Unless you made your trips here pre-1974 (when the first McDonalds opened in the UK!!), I'm surprised you failed to notice all the US chains on the UK high street nowadays.

Olivia, I'm utterly shocked to find that Taco Bell didn't make it on your list of things you're going to miss!

Taco Bell

shreds airplane ticket to the UK

good thing its an e ticket!

Olivia, am sure you will do well. I found it hard myself when i moved over here for my studies but i have since adjusted. there are many things that make UK interesting, including loads of freebies on the culture scene- museums/ galleries etc. you just have to make the most of it to be honest. the only thing I hate is the weather especially the rain, though i must confess that it doesn't rain all the time! As for starbucks it's now on every corner, which I think doesn't do justice to the brand! if you are going to be in London there are loaaaadddds of stuff esp on the culture scene. The British museum if fab. A part time job would be handy for extra dosh as London is one of the most expensive places to live. Wishing you well