Immigration: Learn about life in the UK for immigrants:
1. The UK is not in the Schengen Area. Even if you hold a UK student visa, you must apply for a Schengen visa. If you have a Schengen visa, you must still apply for a UK visa.
2. The currency used in the UK is the British Pound (GBP).
3. The country code is +44. The emergency number is 999.
4. Driving is on the left side of the road.
5. The power supply is 230V, UK standard, with three-pin plugs.
6. The language is English. Remember not to confuse the English with the Scots. You can refer to them as British.
7. The latitude is high and it is rainy. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 30°C. Winter temperatures are generally above freezing. The temperature difference between day and night is significant, and there is a large temperature difference when it is sunny versus rainy. Remember to keep warm.
8. Food prices, gasoline prices, and accommodation costs are quite high.
However, the UK has B&B (Bed & Breakfast) guesthouses. They provide a full English breakfast and a bedroom (some have shared bathrooms). This is especially suitable for self-driving trips. Outside of major cities, basic conditions for £60+ are generally acceptable.
9. Smoking is prohibited indoors.
10. Carry an English student ID or apply for an NUS international student card to receive discounts.
11. Most public museums (including the British Museum) are free.
12. Please have a basic understanding of the local diet before you arrive.
13. The UK is suitable for self-driving, and many companies offer one-way rentals. However, please be sure to drive on the left. The speed limit on highways with central reservations is 70 mph; otherwise, it is 60 mph. For other roads, follow the road signs. In addition to driving, you can choose to travel by train. There is a 16-25 Railcard; if you meet the age requirements, you can use your passport to purchase one for £26, which is valid for one year and offers a 1/3 discount on fares. Basically, the cost of the railcard is recovered after one round trip from London to Edinburgh.
14. Generally, do not expect to have a signal on the subway.
15. You can temporarily purchase a Lebara or Lyca SIM card. Calling back to China costs approximately 0.1-0.3 RMB per minute.
