Which Way UK: Seeking help

Settling in can be tough for some overseas students. Diana Hinds points out some remedies to ease the burden

If you find yourself having doubts about the course you are on, your university needs to know.

Try to establish what feels wrong. Sophia Jones, international student adviser at Leicester University, points out that the difficulty could be partly caused by a language barrier (the university English language unit could be useful here), or an unfamiliar style of teaching (the student learning centre may help with this).

Homesick?

Many international students often experience feelings of home-sickness in their first term, after the novelty has worn off. Students from non-English-speaking countries may expect to feel like this but Sara Dyer, international student support officer at Sussex University, says North American students are often taken by surprise. Part of feeling homesick might be culture shock and other students from your country might help. Find out what social activities the international student society has on offer or get involved in some sport.

Depressed?

Professional help is at hand. University staff may be asked to keep an eye on a student, so they do not have a feeling of isolation.

Dyer encourages students always to tell the university in advance if they have a history of poor mental health. "We do have the facilities to support them," she says.

Broke?

This is a common problem. "One of the most important messages we try to get across is that students need to sort out their finances before they get to the UK," says Dyer. Institutions may have an emergency fund, which can help students in a crisis. They can also help students to apply to charitable trusts for support.

As an international student, you are meant to have enough money to support yourself without working, but you are allowed to work part-time - 20 hours a week is usually the maximum allowed.

Struggling academically?

It could be that you simply need to arrange an extension to complete a piece of work, or that you could do with some advice from the learning support centre. Plagiarism can cause difficulties, says John Gregg, international student adviser at South Bank University in London, with international students unaware that they are in the wrong.

If exam time is particularly stressful for you, the institution might be able to help with alternative arrangements. At Leicester University, for instance, students are sometimes allowed to sit their exams in a quiet place, such as a sick bay, under supervision.

Feeling the cold?

If you're feeling the change of climate, it could be that your accommodation office can arrange for you to have an extra heater. Or perhaps you just need some tips on where to buy some winter clothes. If you catch a cold, ask for advice on remedies from your local chemist. Remember, the cold, dark days are not interminable in the UK: March and April will hopefully see some sunshine and start to put the spring back in your step.