Your first 30 days abroad: a week-by-week guide

• Carry originals of your passport, visa, offer letter, accommodation details, insurance and academic documents in your hand luggage, with copies stored online.
• Keep some local currency or a forex card for the first few days.
• Share your flight and accommodation details with family and your university.
• Know how you will get from the airport to your accommodation; many universities offer airport pick-up for new students.

• Check in to your accommodation, inspect it and photograph any damage.
• Buy a local SIM card so you have a local number for banks, employers and your university.
• Complete any arrival formalities your visa requires: for example, checking that your UK eVisa is linked to your current passport in your UKVI account, booking your Irish Residence Permit registration, or completing university check-in with your passport.
• Rest. Jet lag affects your judgement more than you think.

• Attend orientation and international student sessions. They cover visa rules, work limits and support services.
• Enrol in your modules and get your student ID card.
• Open a local bank account; you will need it for rent, wages and bills.
• Register with a doctor or campus health service where applicable, and understand how your health cover works.
• Learn the local transport system and get a student travel pass if available.

Classes start in earnest. Read the course handbook, note assignment deadlines and find out about academic integrity rules: referencing and plagiarism standards are strict, and 'I did not know' is not an accepted excuse.

Start cooking and shopping on a budget. Find the nearest supermarket, an Indian grocery store and the cheapest way to buy staples.

• Join at least two societies: one connected to your subject and one that is just for fun. Try to include people from outside India.
• Visit the careers service and register for part-time job alerts, but only apply for work you can fit around your timetable and your visa conditions.
• Build a support network: your personal tutor, the international student office, and one or two people you can call on.

Look at your spending against your budget and adjust. Check that you are keeping up with reading and assignments. And be honest about how you are feeling.

Homesickness and culture shock are normal and usually peak in the first two months. Keep a regular sleep pattern, stay in touch with family without calling every hour, and use your university's counselling service if you are struggling. It is free, confidential and used by many students.

• Save the local emergency number and your university's security number.
• Never share your bank details, passport or visa documents with someone claiming to be from immigration or the police over the phone; verify first.
• Be cautious with accommodation deals that ask for payment before a viewing.
• Register with the Indian embassy or consulate if they offer a registration service.