Do not be alarmed! This is not an article with boring definitions of cultural shock or descriptions of the stages of it. If you want to find specific tips and advice on how to cope with cultural shock when you immigrate to the UK, please read on.

Be prepared

Familiarise yourself with the concept of cultural shock. Bear in mind that most people went through this process when they first arrived in the UK, whether it was a long and intense period or a short period of time consisting of a few days. Hopefully, this will help you realise that what you are going through is normal. Discuss how you feel with other immigrants. You will find plenty of people who are going through the same, especially if you live in a multi-cultural city, such as London or Leicester.

Make friends with the British

Don't hesitate to try to make friends with the locals. Having friends in your host country will make you feel like home. Join the gym or classes you are interested in. Apart from a great opportunity to meet people with similar interests, this will reduce your stress levels. Most English Universities have Societies with different interests; if you are a student, identify them and become a member. Avoid inviting new friends or colleagues to your home. They may be unwilling to enter the house of a person they don't know very well. Instead, invite them for a drink at the local pub.

Avoid stereotypes

There are so many stereotypes about the British (they are cold, reserved, they drink too much etc.) and most of them are not true. Try to forget all about those stereotypes if you want to integrate fast. The fewer stereotypes you have, the shorter the cultural shock will last, as you will realise that, beneath the surface, everyone is the same. If you or a friend of yours has met a person who was not particularly friendly, try not to generalise.

Learn the language

If English is not your first language, you may find it difficult to understand what people say and communicate with them. Take English classes before and/or after you move to the UK. Take every opportunity to speak with the locals. Do not be over-concerned about your non-British accent or the mistakes you might make in grammar or vocabulary. Most British people will tell you that they don't speak many foreign languages and will appreciate your effort in learning their language. The important thing at this stage is for you to become more confident when using your English. You will be able to correct your grammar mistakes later in the process.

Keep in contact with your roots

By all means keep in close contact with your friends and family back home. Thanks to Skype and the various networking sites, this is really easy. This is very natural as long as you don't spend the whole day reading your country's newspapers and talking to your childhood friends on the phone. If you live in a big city, such as London, find convenience stores, restaurants and bakeries with products from your country. If you are religious, find out where you can practise your religion. Discover the neighbourhood where people from your country usually live and consider finding a house in this neighbourhood. When you are in Britain, you will have plenty of opportunities to interact with British people; it will be nice, though, if you also find people from your own country to hang out with.

How excited are you about moving to the UK?

Before you move to the UK, examine your motives, as the intensity of the cultural shock you will experience will largely depend on them. Do you really want to move to the UK, or are you just doing it because your partner has been offered a good job here or your parents want you to study in an English university? People that fall under the second category never really integrate as they keep waiting for the day they will be able to return to their countries. However, if you really want to meet new people and you think that living in a foreign country is an exciting experience, you have taken the first step towards overcoming cultural shock!