How to Prepare Yourself for Life in Birmingham
It seems like only yesterday that I was back home in LA, in much warmer weather, eating some leftovers from the night before all the while I was obsessively googling everything I could about how to prepare myself for life in Birmingham. I spent hours upon hours researching everything I could about the city in general: transportation, food, safety, shops, entertainment, churches and yet when I got here I was not prepared for life in Birmingham.
No one tells you how to prepare yourself for moving to another country; even after watching all these YouTubers and reading blog posts about how to prepare, I still didn’t bring half of the right things. It’s almost like they tell you to pack the wrong things on purpose. So, I’m going to *hopefully* do the opposite and give some helpful tips that I wish I knew before arriving in Birmingham.
Make lists
If I could bold, underline, italicise and highlight this, I would. Honestly, this is how important I think making a list is. I started making a list about two months before leaving, and I had about ten incomplete ones on my mirror, in my notebooks, on my phone, literally, whatever I had available when an idea popped in my head I would use it to write it down. I had a list of clothes, shoes, winter wear, electronics, essentials, medicines, food, and miscellaneous. The reason why I’m putting so much emphasis on this is that when you’re back at home, you have everything you need, and if you don’t you can quickly go out and buy it, but when you’re in another country it’s so much harder. Amazon has a lot of things I could get back at home, but if I wanted to order my favourite Target sweater that I forgot at home, I would have to wait until I went back home. Or if I’m craving those Flammin’ hot Cheetos, I would have to spend up to £30 to have them delivered by Amazon. To save you the mistakes that I made, make lists, so you do not forget anything important.
Remember to bring vitamins and medications
I can’t express how important this is. When you register with a GP, you can receive your regular medications, but it does take a while so sometimes it’s better to come with your supply. Also, the names here are very different. I went to the drug store and asked for Tylenol, and they had never heard of it. So, when I was at the GP and mentioned Tylenol she too had never heard of it and we had to google the equivalence to know what it would be over here; it’s called Paracetamol just in case anyone wants to know. Something else that might be helpful to remember is that some vitamins that are accessible in the states do need prescriptions in England. For example, I needed melatonin, and I was not able to buy it at the vitamin shop because I needed an order from a GP. These are some things to keep in mind when finalising your plans to come over here.
Bring food
Please, bring food for you and me, find me on campus and bring me snacks. I’m not joking when I say I was underwhelmed by the amount of food in the grocery stores. Every time I walk in I think “how can there not be a whole chip or cookie aisle”. It makes me sad. If you’re a peanut butter lover like me, I encourage you to bring your favourite brand; most brands and flavours here do taste different. Bring your favourite snacks or spices. England does not have a lot of Hispanic spices so definitely bring those if you need your Taco Tuesdays. But, on the other hand, don’t be afraid to taste the local cuisine and snacks — my new favourite thing to eat no matter what time of the day is shortbread. I had never had shortbread until coming to Birmingham, and I can admit that they are the reason I had to go up a jean size. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, like the buttery deliciousness of shortbread.
Ask the University questions
I will proudly say that I was that person who sent the university so many emails they probably thought it was spam. I sent emails almost daily because I wanted to be prepared for what I was facing and because I had a lot of questions. Not going to lie, I was scared that I would receive short or rude responses, but every single response was so helpful, and they continued to be useful until I arrived on campus. If you have questions regarding funds, accommodations, the guild, societies, your department, or just general questions I would encourage you to email the university because they are accommodating and try to answer everything promptly.
Look up local transportation other than Uber (train, buses, Selly Oak bus)
If you have never taken public transportation a day in your life, then you might have to break that streak when you come to Birmingham. Not only do they drive on the left side of the road here, but the wheels are on the right side of the car. This solidified my argument to never get behind the wheel here in Birmingham. Instead, I had to find alternative ways to travel. My favourite way is to jump on the train (some locals call it the line or rail) and get to my destination very quickly and usually for under £3. I’m going to advise you to purchase a 16-25 railcard. A 16-25 railcard is £30, and it gives 1/3 discounts on tickets. So, say you’re going to London from Birmingham, instead of spending £30 you might pay £20. Also, for all those planning to live in Selly Oak, there is a free bus that takes you from the main university library to Selly as long as you show your ID. For public buses, you can get a hopper if you show your ID it only cost £1 to go one way.
Don’t forget your Documents
You all probably know this, but it’s so important to bring all the proper documentation. You don’t want to arrive here and realise you forgot part of your visa application. So, the night before you’re scheduled to leave I would encourage you to have a checklist of all your important documents: Visa, passport, copies of your passport, acceptance letter, immunisation, bank information, proof of accommodation, scholarship or loan information, and your ID. I get it, it’s a lot to remember, and it’s a stressful time, moving to another country, leaving your friends and family, but it is essential that you have these documents, and that you at least have pictures of them, so you can print them when you arrive in Birmingham if you do forget.
Before You Know It, You’re Here!
It may seem so far away, but before you know it you’re integrated into life at Birmingham, and you can barely remember the stress of preparing yourself for living abroad. You now have lists of assignments due instead of lists of items to bring, new favourite snacks only found in Birmingham, and people are now asking you how to get somewhere in the city instead of the other way around. You will quickly adjust to life, and you might find yourself giving advice to those who have similar questions that you once had.
Gianna has just graduated in MA in English Literature and Culture.
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