For international students accepted into the LSE, you may feel overwhelmed at first, knowing that it’s really happening. You are going to live abroad and pursue your academic journey at one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. There will be many things to prepare, both physically and mentally. And it is an ongoing process even when you arrive in the UK. As the saying goes, every journey begins with a single step; this blog will walk you through what and how you should prepare for starting at the LSE, specifically for pre-departure.
- 1. Looking for accommodation.
After you are granted access to LSE For You, you will be able to browse through the LSE’s hall of residences. You can filter and search for the place and room that reflects your need and budget. There are several blogs written about the review of LSE accommodation, so make sure to look into them. Also, you can do some research about the location for yourself, such as which area you want to live in or how would you want to commute to the campus.
However, there are certain pros and cons of living in the residence hall. For example, LSE hall may offer fewer options; but you will be surrounded by your peers, and the rent will usually be all-inclusive. Another option is to stay in private accommodation, which opens up much more possibilities for you.
- 2. Prepare travelling document
LSE has a dedicated team to support international students with their Visa applications. Please contact International Student Visa Advice Team (ISVAT) for any issues regarding Visa.
For other types of documents, you should refer to the offer holders booklet that will give out the comprehensive list of what documents you should have for travelling and living in the UK. Also, don’t forget to check the required documentation specific only to your home country.
It is advisable to make several copies for every essential physical document and separately keep them with you before departure. At the same time, the electronic document should be duplicated and stored in your cloud storage.
- 3. Do some research on modules in your programme, especially in the Michaelmas term
Course overview and outline are publicly available online. You should look at each of the modules you will face in the Michaelmas (first) term. For example, what the course is about or methods of assessment to grade each module. More importantly, the reading list will best help you prepare for your first few weeks once the term starts. If you have time, choose the one that piques your interests and skim through it.
- 4. Reach out to the offer holders group and virtually meet your new classmates.
Once you accept the offers, try to reach out to the offer holders group, usually on social media. You can virtually find and get to know your classmates-to-be and be a part of the cohort even before leaving your home country. You may be surprised by the diversity of the class and can’t wait to meet your new friends in person. Moreover, staying connected means that you will not miss online events for the offer holders or the event during the welcome week.
In my next entry, I will write about what you should do on your first day of arriving in the UK as an international student. Thanks for reading!