When I first arrived at York as an international student, I felt a bit lost. I was excited, but also worried about how I’d adapt to a place so different from Korea. Over time, I found that joining some of the university’s wellbeing activities and programs really helped me settle in. I made friends, felt calmer, and started enjoying life here. In this blog, I want to share the ways I looked after both my mind and body while studying at York.
Managing Finances and Finding Little Joys
One of the first things I focused on was easing my financial worries. I often used the York SU Student Pantry at Ron Cooke Hub, where you can get free essentials like detergent, tampons, wet wipes, and shampoo; just tag your student card. For someone like me who plans every penny, having these small things taken care of really lifted a weight off my shoulders.
Another little happiness came from the common room and social hubs at my College. Students can grab coffee, cocoa, or tea whenever they like. I’d bring my tumbler, sip a warm drink, and just look out at the campus for a few minutes. It was such a tiny but precious moment of peace in my day. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, there were also free brunch and soup events, all colleges have some form of this for their students! Joining these helped me make friends, and I even connected with some of them on Instagram. One week, there was a surprise baked potato event. It was so good I tried making it in my dorm later.
Note: College Free Food Brunches were an active scheme at the time of writing.
Like I said, Wentworth isn’t the only college with events. Each college hosts different activities. If something catches your eye, go for it. These little moments of fun really helped me feel more at home and kept my well-being in check.
Career Support and Looking After Your Mental Health
About a month into uni, I explored the career and employability support. My supervisor emailed me asking how I was settling in, so we arranged a chat. I told them honestly about what I found tricky or fun in my courses. Being an international student, finding part-time work isn’t easy, and I wasn’t sure about the UK job system. When I mentioned living costs, they emailed me links to job opportunities. It made me feel like the university genuinely cares about each student, not just the classes.
York also really cares about mental health. From my experience, there are in-person and online support programs, which is a lifesaver when things get stressful. These services are free and self-referral, so you can use them without pressure. You can even combine them with NHS support or your own GP. I haven’t personally signed up yet, but I’d recommend checking the student support website if you want to know more.
Cultural Experiences for a Calm Mind
Cultural activities have been another great way to look after my mental wellbeing. With a student card, you can get into York Minster for free. The architecture and decorations are stunning, I often lose track of time exploring. I take photos, and sometimes quietly pray, thinking about my family back home. I also like popping into the souvenir shop to pick up a tiny memento.
If you show your student card along with the UniDays app, you can get discounts at lots of places in York that are listed on the app. Cafes, restaurants, burger spots, donut shops; there are plenty of options to check out! For me, enjoying tasty food and drinks was a real boost and helped me feel more energetic.
Moving Your Body and Joining Clubs
After sitting in lectures or studying all day, my body can feel stiff and tired. The Students’ Union at York provides free sessions for sports such as tennis, badminton, yoga, and squash, and they provide all the equipment. I’m confident in badminton, so I grabbed a few friends and played together. Not only did we have fun and sweat out some stress, but I also made new friends. I can’t wait to play more and improve my skills next week.
International Student Support: Buddy Program
I also joined the International Student Buddying Scheme. My buddy, a current student, showed me their favourite spots on campus and listened to my worries, it was a huge help. Even after the program finished, we still keep in touch. It really made me feel like I wasn’t alone and gave me the comfort of having at least one friendly face on campus.
By taking part in all these activities, I gradually started to enjoy life at York. The university offers many ways for students to adapt to a new environment while looking after both mind and body.
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