Just arrived in the UK?
Getting used to life in a new country is always a challenge. Our Guide will help you deal with day-to-day challenges of living, working or studying in the United Kingdom. It is full of useful information including a step-by-step guide on the basics of how to survive.
Here we give you a list of helpful tips to save you time and put you on track for a successful start.
Useful websites:
Improving your English:
The key to better integration is undoubtedly the ability to speak the local language, wherever you decide to reside. Fluent English will help you understand the culture and start your new life in The UK.
Not everything comes at a heavy price. If you invest time and effort, rather than money, into improving your English click on the links below for some free English language courses.
english-online.org.uk
free-english.com
anglaisfacile.com
Transport
UK has many means of public transport including buses, trains, tubes and trams. Below are two links that will help you get to where ever you need by whatever method you choose.
Police
The Police are there to help and protect everyone. Go to them if you really need help. For more information click below:
Health
You should register with your local General Practitioner (GP). You will then receive a health card which you must keep and give to a new GP should you move. Going to the doctor and hospitals in the UK is free of cost!
nhs.uk
National Insurance
You must apply for a National Insurance Number. This ensures that you pay the correct amount of national insurance.
hmrc.gov.uk
Driving
Apart from driving in the left hand side, driving in the UK is quite different from that in Tunisia. The DSA website includes details on good driving practice and the current driving test regulations.
Television licence
In the UK you need to have a licence to use a television - the costs are below:
Council Tax
Wherever you live council tax is a obligatory fee that you pay on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis to your local council for the services such as education and social services they provide. The sum is fixed in accordance with the band of your house / flat / room. Each area has a different cost of council tax. To check the sum you will pay look at your local council website or click below:
(Please have a postcode or billing authority ready)
A Place to Live
There are lots of estate agents to choose from that will help you find somewhere to live. Below are some websites that will help you find exactly what you are looking for as efficiently as possible.
Jobs
It can be very hard to find work in a country that is not your own. Below are some websites that list available jobs and some job seeking advice including how to write a CV (very important!).
Phoning home
Calling friends and family at home is clearly important. Call costs on various services such as these below significantly reduce the very high costs of calling Tunisia.