Going to the UK and Worried About Back-to-College Shopping?

Choosing to go overseas for college is thrilling, fun, and sometimes challenging. But if you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone, it can be a great learning experience. Whenever my non-British students end up in England or Scotland, they have to learn a whole new language - the language of shopping.

Wanting to help them out, I put together a quick guide that aids with learning “brand awareness.” If you’re new to the UK and searching for dorm basics, here are some places to start.

The biggest difference between dorms in the USA vs. UK: personal space. Dorm life in the UK is posh in comparison to what you might expect in the USA. Very few students share a room. Instead, most students have their own room with an en suite bathroom. If you’re worried about sharing a bathroom in college, this might be hidden “pro“ to consider!

This is a pretty typical UK dorm room. Read more from private accommodation provider Fresh Student Living to see additional example floor plans. Individual universities should have floor plans online, too.

Looking for more general packing and dorm advice or just want to have a better idea of what to expect when moving in? Grown & Flown has some smart thoughts about how to approach move-in day (warning high school friends, this is technically geared towards parents but the ideas are still on point).

Want to learn more about considering all of your college options (especially those in the UK)?

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