You can start by waving a fond farewell to your typical international student hangouts. Delve deeper into your new neighbourhood and find yourself a genuine secret gem, somewhere only locals go to relax. Downloading the Great Little Place app should be your first step (particularly if you’re studying in London), as it’s the self-confessed ‘guide to Planet Earth’s charming spots’ and all the advice comes from local people. Foursquare is great if you’re studying in the US, as it’ll immediately give you access to a wealth of user-generated tips. When you’re surrounded by local people, you’ll find it much easier to soak up native customs, expressions and quirks, and you might meet a few people you wouldn’t normally get the chance to talk to.