"Umbrellas Are Kinda Useless Here" — M'sians Share Practical Tips About Studying In The UK

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This Spotlight is sponsored by British Council. 

For Malaysian students, navigating this journey can seem overwhelming, but with the right guidance, it becomes an adventure worth taking.

This is where the British Council's Study UK initiative steps in — providing students with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive in a new academic and cultural environment. From workshops to connecting them with local Malaysian societies, the British Council has been a key partner in their success abroad.

After all, it was Dhillon's first time on a plane, so that alone was an adventure.

"The moment I landed, everything felt surreal," said the aerospace engineering student, who is pursuing a degree in Queen's University Belfast.

For Dhillon, a usual uni day starts with devotion, gym, and breakfast, then it's classes from 10am to 4pm, with group projects in between. 

"After class, I head home for dinner, often cooking Malaysian dishes. I unwind with shows or sports with friends, then study or work on assignments. Before bed, I always call home for a chat," he said.

One of the biggest challenges Dhillon faced was adjusting to the seven-hour time difference and staying connected with family and friends.

"We made it work by scheduling regular catch-ups — I usually call in the morning before classes or at night after their dinner," he said.

"Another challenge was getting used to how early shops close in the UK, especially when I’m craving Char Kuey Teow late at night and can't find any place open after 11pm!" he remarked.

Homesickness was tough too, especially during the colder months. Dhillon said staying active in sports and having a support system of friends from different countries made a big difference.

"Try and make as many friends as you can! It's the best way to beat homesickness," he said.

Meet Eisyah, a second year Urban Planning and Development student at Cardiff University. She also happens to be the Vice President of the Malaysian Society at her university.

"My lectures usually start around 10, so I get up by 8, make myself some breakfast, and get ready. After that, I take a 20-minute walk to my school and head to class.

"For lunch, I'll either grab something with friends or head home to cook something simple. Evenings are my time to unwind—sometimes I'll watch a show on Netflix, and if the weather's good, I love taking a walk through Bute Park. After dinner, I usually catch up on coursework," she said.

One of the biggest challenges she had as a Malaysian student in the UK was managing her finances.

"I've definitely been spending a lot more time cooking since moving to the UK. I've also had to be more mindful about my spending, so I mostly cook at home and only treat myself to a proper meal out once or twice a month," she said.

According to Eisyah, one thing that really caught her by surprise was the weather.

"The weather was definitely a shock — especially the cold and shorter days in winter, but it's all part of the experience! I also learnt the hard way that umbrellas are kind of useless here, because the wind is so strong that it ends up flipping my umbrella inside out!" she exclaimed.

"Another thing that surprised me was how friendly and warm people are here. I didn't expect strangers to strike up conversations with me or be so welcoming," she added.

To aspiring Malaysian students who want to study in the UK, Eisyah encourages them to do their research ahead of time — from finding out the weather to checking out Google Street View to get a feel of the town.

"Lastly, make the most of your time. Don't just stay in your room!" she said

Rui starts his day at 7am with breakfast and getting ready for uni. Lectures go from 9am to 1pm, followed by an hour break, and two-hour tutorials after.

"Finishing around 4pm, I would make a trip to get groceries, then prepare dinner. Depending on the day of the week, I sometimes have table tennis practice or matches at night," he said.

For Rui, moving to the UK was quite a culture shock. From the way how day-to-day things were done, to trying to understand the UK accent, it took a while for Rui to get used to living in Scotland.

Speaking to Malaysian students heading to the UK, he said, "Always do your research first, speak to students who are already there to get an idea of what it is like over there. Familiarise yourself with some aspects of the local culture such as slangs and common phrases. In fact, listen to shows that have a similar accent to help," he said.

Rui added that his biggest challenge for finding a group of friends while adapting to a completely new environment.

"Joining the local Malaysian society in addition to the other clubs throughout the university certainly helped me meet people with similar interests," he said.

With the British Council's Study UK initiative, you'll gain the resources, guidance, and confidence needed to navigate life in a new country. Whether it's academic workshops, mental health support, or connecting with like-minded peers, their programmes are designed to set you up for success.

Mark your calendars and head over to the pop-up activation to hear firsthand what to expect about studying in the UK. There will be British Council staff on ground to help answer any questions or worries you may have, so don't miss out!