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Advice from international students on how they navigate through the UK winter
Spending your first winter in the UK can be exciting, unexpected, and sometimes a little overwhelming. Our International Student Ambassadors share their honest experiences and top tips to help you stay warm, active and connected this winter season.
Winter in Portsmouth: Challenges and Highlights
What surprised you about your first winter in the UK, and how did you adjust to the colder, darker days?
“The UK has four seasons and they're all very distinctive. Winters can get cold, so bring a puffer jacket.” - Viktor
“There was no snow in Portsmouth. I thought it snowed everywhere.” - Koke
“I spent my first Christmas with my friend's family, so I got to enjoy it with them like a family member, so it brings me very great memories.” - Xinyu
When it comes to adapting, several ambassadors say keeping your routine helps:
“The easiest way to adapt is to not change your routine but just continue and experience that change in weather and change in time as part of the full experience” - Irfan
“Wake up earlier because days are short. You've got to enjoy the sunlight while it lasts. Also, for the cold days, get yourself a thermal bottle and make yourself some tea for lectures.” - Viktor
What are your favourite things to do in Portsmouth during winter?
“I love to go ice skating, even though I'm bad at it!” - Koke
“The Christmas markets.” - Diya
“I will say something really strange; having ice cream!” - Xinyu
“I enjoy having an ice bath. I also enjoy swimming in the sea in the cold - it wakes me up. Apart from that, a seaside walk.” - Irfan
Winter Essentials: Making Your Space Warm, Bright and Winter-Ready
What are some essential items to have around your accommodation during the cold and darker days?
“I have a sun lamp in my room, so it helps to make the days longer in a way and I'm getting my vitamin D in.” - Diya
“Layers, wear a lot of layers of clothes. Also one of those really tight thermal clothes as well.” - Viktor
What winter essentials help you stay comfortable and cosy in your accommodation?
“Fairy lights in my room. I put up the fairy lights so when the sun goes down I still get some mood lighting” - Koke
“Get yourself a few Christmas lights, it will make your house more cosy. I went all in and I got myself a Christmas tree, so now I have a real tree in a real pot and I have to water it - you don't have to go to these extremes, but it does make a room cosy. Also you get the smell of the Christmas tree, it's really nice.” - Viktor
Physical Health and Productivity: Keeping Active and Motivated in the Winter Months
How do you stay active and energised during winter?
“I joined the gym and it's actually really nice. So I would recommend going to the gym, especially in the morning, you’ll feel productive.” - Koke
“I think it's good to go to Ravelin Sports Centre because I really love the dancing classes there. It is nice that you are not dancing alone and with different people, and actually do not care about how good or bad you're dancing, just having fun.” - Xinyu
“I'd say definitely continue all the activities you used to do before, and keep yourself occupied with doing different things.” - Irfan
“Use Ravelin Sports Centre because that's where you get gym, you get volleyball, basketball, badminton - all those sports. But most importantly you get the sauna. It's perfect for cold days.” - Viktor
What are your tips to help stay on top of deadlines during the winter slump?
“I put it on a physical calendar and I write the deadline a week earlier.” - Koke
“I block out an hour each day for the whole week and I try to stay as productive as I can during that time.” - Diya
“When you make a plan, do not make a very tight one - give some space so that you have places to make adjustments.” - Xinyu
The best thing to do is work ahead of time because it gives you that flexibility to be able to reduce the clutter on your calendar, especially with Christmas celebrations, so if you work ahead of time it frees up your time in that week and it also helps you keep on top of things with your deadlines and other assessments.
Wellbeing: Positivity, Connection and Beating Homesickness
What helps you stay positive, motivated, and connected during darker days?
“Hot chocolate!” - Koke
“I like going for a walk - I love the winter, so when I walk out of my room or building and just feel that crisp winter air it feels so nice.” - Diya
“The fact that, even if the day is cold and wet, I know at the end of the day, I'll be in my room in a cosy environment with a warm blanket. And also if the days are dark, that means Christmas is coming, so I focus on that.” - Viktor
How do you avoid loneliness and stay connected when feeling homesick?
“You should call your family. If it's your first Christmas away from home, then it's their first Christmas without you, so they want to hear from you.” - Koke
“Make a video call to family members because I feel like it's better than just making a phone call, seeing them is also helping you to be in comfort and avoid homesickness.” - Xinyu
“Go out, go to the seaside, have a run - just explore the beauty of Portsmouth, and the coastal side of it when it's winter is quite amazing.” - Irfan
“Keep socialising, the fact that it's cold doesn't mean you can't go and socialise with friends. Be the first one to get everyone together, make a group chat, get together, go to a cafe or a pub.” - Viktor
There are many events - I recommend following the Students’ Union, UoP Student Life and UoP Global socials to see the different events on that can bring people together, especially international students, during winter break.
Top Tips & Winter Survival Kits
What’s one winter wellbeing tip you'd recommend to every new international student?
“Go out and get yourself some hot chocolate. Also self-care, if it’s cold your skin can get quite dry.” - Koke
“I would say before the winter break maybe explore what's happening around Portsmouth, the University has a lot of departments that hold all different kinds of activities during winter time so you wouldn't be alone, or just pop into the reception of your accommodation as they might also hold some activities for students who stay in the UK during the winter break.” - Xinyu
“Make the most of the experience because you never know if you'll ever get to do it again so I say enjoy it, be involved in any way you can and just live that whole experience as part of a new chapter.” - Irfan
“There's a big community of international students, everyone's in the same position as you, everyone wants friends, so go out and make friends.” - Viktor
What would be inside your winter survival kit?
“Hot chocolate, stuffed animals to cuddle up with, and some friends.” - Koke
“Face masks, candles, a sun lamp, anything cosy. Hot chocolate and cookies as well.” - Diya
“Water bottle and ice cream.” - Xinyu
“Kenyan tea, because home is home.” - Irfan
“Christmas lights, puffer jacket, big scarf so I can wrap myself up, and a good pair of boots.” - Viktor
The experiences shared by our ambassadors highlight that winter wellbeing looks different for everyone, but staying active, connected and prepared can make all the difference. Whatever the season brings, there are many ways to look after yourself and feel at home in Portsmouth.