My arrival experience: flying alone to the UK for the first time

The flight

Coming from Vietnam, flying is the only means of transport to reach the UK. I can choose to arrive in London or Manchester, then take the train/coach up to Leeds. There are a lot of airlines so you can find the most suitable one for your needs. If you get your visa early, you can book your ticket right away. 

Remember to register for a student account with your chosen airline. As a student, you receive more advantages, such as cheaper flight tickets and extra luggage.

Packing for a new country

There are some essential things you must prepare before arriving in the UK. The most important thing for me is a socket converter or plug adapter. As Vietnamese use 2-pin plugs while UK households are built with 3-pin ones, a converter will allow me to use all my devices like my laptop and phone chargers. 

Since Vietnam is a tropical country, the winter of England can literally freeze me. Therefore, it is recommended that students in tropical countries bring extra warm clothes to prepare for the cold weather. 

You should also pack some homemade spices in case you miss your mom’s cooking (which you will)!

However, the tip is to pack light, as you have restrictions on the weight when flying, and you will be alone when arriving at the airport. So don’t burden yourself with too many things; have a list before packing since you can buy anything else in the UK. 

Arriving in the UK

After a 16-hour flight, I arrived at Manchester airport at 9 AM UK time. Before seeing my luggage again, everyone had to do a customs check when the officers asked for your documents and visa. 

The Manchester airport is not too gigantic compared to some other airports, and it has clear instructions, so it was nearly impossible for me to get lost. After getting all my stuff, I took the train to Leeds. You can buy the train tickets before your flight or book them after landing. In my case, I bought the ticket before and spent my waiting time eating a quick meal before going to Leeds.

It took more than one hour to reach Leeds. The train was really comfortable and fast, and I had terrific views of the UK from the window. One thing you should take into consideration is the train does not have big space for your luggage, so you need to try a way to fit everything neatly.

After that, I booked a cab to get to my accommodation and finally got a rest after a long journey.

Support on my journey

If you arrive at Manchester airport, LBU offers a pick-up service on multiple dates. You can take a look at the schedule here and book your flight accordingly, or contact the team at globalarrival@leedsbeckett.ac.uk for more information!
 
I hope you all have a great trip, and can’t wait for you to explore Leeds!