"The issues go beyond health."
An Indian student currently studying in the UK has warned prospective international students about the challenges of life in Britain.
In a Reddit post titled “The UK Is a Trap for International Students – My Personal Experience”, the PhD student described the experience as “extremely tough”.
The student highlighted issues such as high living costs, poor food quality, unpredictable work schedules, and racism.
The student wrote: “If you’re considering coming here, please think twice—you might end up wasting your money, time, and energy.
“Many students force themself into part-time jobs that barely support a decent quality of life.
“I’ve seen friends who finished their Masters and even extended their post-study visas become extremely thin, lose their hair, and eventually return to India because they simply couldn’t cope.”
A key concern was the financial strain on students and their families, with limited job prospects after graduation.
The Indian student argued that a UK master’s degree may not offer the same return on investment as those from the US or India.
They continued: “The issues go beyond health.
“The food quality, sky-high housing costs, unpredictable work hours, poor weather and even racism contribute to a decline in overall well-being.
“Your financial situation can also suffer, with your family often having to bear the burden.”
The student claimed that nearly all of their peers had returned to India due to a lack of stable job opportunities in the UK.
UK Is a Trap for International Students – My Personal Experience
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The post generated a heated debate.
Some users agreed with the student’s perspective, sharing similar experiences of financial and emotional hardship. Others disagreed, suggesting that success in the UK depends on financial planning, networking, and work experience.
One wrote: “With a global economic downturn, this has been the case globally, especially in the Anglosphere, where Indians have been historically migrating to.
“This along with the cost of living crisis has made things very difficult.”
Another commented: “Top people with experience and good soft skills will definitely do wonders.
“Those who come back are the ones without any prior experience, they don’t network, and whatnot.”
A third added: “It’s not the same for everyone. If you have a solid financial plan and a good academic background, you can still make it work.”
The discussion reflects broader concerns about the UK’s appeal to international students amid economic uncertainty and rising costs.
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