Arriving Abroad for the First Time: A Survival Guide for Nepali Students

Airport arrival, SIM cards, bank accounts, finding accommodation and cooking on a budget — practical tips from Nepali students already living and studying abroad.

Before you leave Nepal

• Carry printed copies of your passport, visa, offer letter and accommodation booking in your hand luggage
• Inform your Nepali bank you are travelling internationally to avoid card blocks
• Download offline maps and your destination country’s public transport apps
• Pack a small amount of local currency — enough for your first 2–3 days
• Save your university’s emergency contact number and accommodation address on your phone

Arriving at the airport

• At immigration, state clearly that you are an international student — have your visa and offer letter ready
• Answer all questions calmly and honestly — do not volunteer extra information
• Collect your luggage and look for your pre-booked airport transfer, taxi or university pickup service
• If you are confused, look for the information desk or airport assistance staff

First week essentials

• SIM card — UK: Vodafone, EE or O2 | Australia: Optus or Telstra | Canada: Koodo or Freedom | USA: T-Mobile or AT&T
• Bank account — most universities assist students during orientation week to open a local bank account
• Register with a local GP (doctor) as early as possible — free in UK with NHS
• Attend all university orientation sessions — you will meet other international students and get essential information
• Locate your nearest supermarket, public transport stop and campus buildings

Finding accommodation

• University halls of residence — most convenient for first-year students, apply early as places fill fast
• Private student accommodation — Unilodge (Australia), Unite Students (UK), Student Housing (Canada)
• Private rental — cheaper but requires a local guarantor in some countries
• Facebook groups and university noticeboards — find Nepali student communities for advice and room shares

Managing your money wisely

• Cook at home as much as possible — eating out is very expensive in Western countries
• Use student discount cards everywhere — Student Beans, UNiDAYS, ISIC card
• Always carry your student ID for discounts on transport, food and entertainment
• Track your spending using apps like Monzo (UK), Up Bank (Australia) or Wise (international)
• Open a Wise account for sending money home at low exchange rates

Staying connected with home

Use WhatsApp, Viber or Facebook Messenger for free calls and video calls to Nepal. The time difference varies: UK is 5h15m behind Nepal; Australia is 4h45m ahead; Canada is 11–14h behind; USA is 11–14h behind.