1. Weather, Mental Health & Daily Life

The UK has long, gloomy winters and fewer sunny days, especially in the North. This has a real impact on mental health.
People here actively manage it — taking Vitamin D, omega-3 (fish oil), using light therapy lamps, and making an effort to go outside whenever the sun comes out.
Mould is a common household issue due to humidity, especially in older houses — dehumidifiers are a must.
For women, certain conditions like vaginal infections or eczema tend to occur more frequently than in China due to climate and hygiene infrastructure.

2. Money, Visas & Work

Money matters — a lot. Especially for international migrants who have worked in other countries, it's crucial to build financial confidence.
The UK is an expensive country, and having an income gives you grounding. It's not wise to take long career gaps or remain unemployed for too long.
The Graduate Visa (PSW) is useful for staying in the UK, but it doesn't help much with finding jobs — employers rarely sponsor Tier 2 jobs directly from this visa.
It’s essential to gain local, relevant experience as early as possible — even through volunteering, internships, or part-time jobs.
In the UK, slow is fast: Start small, prove yourself, and move toward full-time sponsored employment step by step.

3. Health, Fitness & Appearance

British people are very health- and body-conscious.
Many people of all ages keep fit, dress neatly, and care about appearance — even elderly women dye their hair bright colours or wear nail polish.
There’s no afternoon nap culture; most people start early and finish early.
It’s common for people to commute up to 1 hour one way just to live in a house with a garden or be closer to their families or pets (especially dogs).
Paternity leave is normalized here — fathers often take several months off to care for newborns.

4. Healthcare & Education

The NHS is more like a safety net than a treatment system — it focuses on emergencies and life-threatening conditions.
You won’t go bankrupt due to a major illness, but non-urgent issues often take a long time to get treated.
UK university education is expensive, and many local students rely on loans.
In China, loans are mostly for low-income families, and university is relatively affordable.
UK employers value both academic background and work experience, while Chinese employers emphasize academic performance and school reputation.

5. Work Culture & Job Search

In the UK, teamwork, communication, and personality are highly valued during recruitment.
Your ethnicity, visa status, and cultural fit may affect hiring decisions.
Technical “lone wolves” are often not welcomed — networking, “catch-ups,” and cross-team interactions are essential.
It’s better to ask questions and keep regular contact than to figure out everything on your own.
In contrast, Chinese work culture tends to encourage solving problems independently, reading documentation, and minimizing interruption to others.
It’s normal to see someone’s middle name being their mother’s surname — reflecting different cultural traditions.

6. Renting & Housing in the UK

Renting a flat involves formal background checks, including payslips, references from your employer or HR, and even former landlords.
In competitive areas, tenants often have to bid higher or prove their reliability to win the property.
UK holidays are fewer compared to China, but most full-time employees get 20+ days of paid annual leave.

Summary

Adjusting to life in the UK has been a journey — filled with surprises, challenges, and small but meaningful lessons. From healthcare and work style to housing and communication, I’ve learned to adapt, stay patient, and grow gradually. There’s no shortcut, but that’s what makes this process real and worthwhile.

UK vs China: Cultural Differences & Adjustments as an Immigrant in the UK