Cardiff is a small but very welcoming city for foreign students. The campus is very close to shops, parks and places with music and conversation. The listing of our student accommodation will allow you to find a safe and budget-friendly home that is in the vicinity. Living in this area, you will have the chance to learn a few Welsh words, taste different foods, and witness very lively and musical festivals. You will meet kind neighbours, find cheap markets and share stories with friends at cafes. This guide speaks plainly to international students in the UK who want to make the most of Cardiff life. It shows small steps to feel at home, meet locals and keep study time steady while you explore Welsh ways and places. Take this guide, pack lightly and start your Cardiff story right now.
How can I learn Welsh?
If you aim to gain even a slight knowledge of the Welsh language, then the best option for you is to go for a slow approach and keep things very basic, by taking very short daily practice sessions that you can easily insert between your classes, like 5-10 minutes of flashcards, a short song, or a neighbour’s greeting. Speaking like a native is not necessary; the local people will smile at you when you try a few simple warm phrases, and this will lead to conversations in markets, cafes and campus events, so your minor efforts will develop into strong confidence in weeks. Use short lessons, listen to songs, try easy apps and practice with friends or language partners for a few minutes each day, repeating common words aloud until they sound natural when you meet people around the city.
Take free beginner classes at local community centres or campus groups.
Use short apps and audio lessons that fit into study breaks.
Learn greetings and common phrases first to use daily.
Join a language exchange to practice with friendly locals.
Label items in your room with Welsh words for quick recall.
Learning Welsh is a slow and gentle road, not a race and the small steps add up over time. Start with what you need for daily life and keep practising, tiny but steady. Invite a neighbour to chat, try a few songs and make a game of new words. In three months, you will know more than you expect and that knowledge will open simple, warm talks and new friendships in Cardiff. Keep a small notebook, write new words with pictures and use them in sentences each day until they feel easy and natural to say around markets, libraries and meetings.
Where to taste Welsh food?
Cardiff has many simple places to try Welsh food that do not cost a lot but give a real taste of land and sea, from cosy market stalls to small cafes near parks where cooking feels like home. Looking for traditional snacks or a warm meal after class becomes easy when you learn a few local names, ask for the day's special and share a table with classmates who love talking about food. As an international student, try new flavours slowly, share dishes with friends and say yes to small bites at events so you can learn what you like without spending too much money or wasting food.
Visit local markets for fresh bread, cakes and local cheeses.
Try a hearty bowl of cawl at a small cafe on a cold day.
Share plates with friends to taste more dishes without the cost.
Attend a food market or a campus food fair to try many samples.
Cook simple Welsh recipes at home to save money and learn about tastes.
Welsh food is simple and kind, made from good local things and slow cooking that comforts the body and the mind. Try small dishes first and ask for local tips from shop owners or kitchen staff. Sharing food with classmates makes meals cheaper and more fun while you compare flavours and make memories. Make a habit of trying one new item each week to expand your taste and stay curious in a friendly way. Keep an eye on student discounts, weekday specials and market days to stretch your budget and enjoy fresh local food with new friends and simple recipes.
How to join local events?
Joining local events helps you meet people, learn songs, try foods and see real life in Cardiff beyond lectures, giving you chances to laugh, to help at a stall, or to clap and sing under the open sky with new friends. Many events welcome new faces, and they are simple places for international students to find common ground with locals, artists and fellow students, so do not be shy to sit near others or to ask a friendly question. Start with small gatherings like a market day, a student show, or a short walk group and stay curious, so you can grow a steady circle of people who share tips and show you more of Welsh life.
Check campus noticeboards and community centre flyers for event listings.
Ask neighbours and classmates for tips on what to attend.
Visit markets, galleries and local halls to see live activities.
Join short volunteering projects to meet people while you help.
Look for student-led shows and small concerts that welcome new faces.
Joining events is the best way to learn the real rhythm of Cardiff life, meet people who love the same things and find a place to belong. Go with one friend, keep plans small and aim for one new event each week to keep things simple and low-cost. Over time, these small choices will make a warm group of friends who share food, study time and days out, and your life will feel fuller and more local. Bring a small notebook for names and places, say hello first and remember to smile when someone shares a story with you.
FAQ
Q: Is Cardiff safe for international students?
A: Yes. Cardiff feels safe, with friendly people and a small city feel that helps students find their way.
Q: Do I need to speak Welsh to live here?
A: No. English is used everywhere, but a few Welsh words help you meet locals.
Q: How much does food cost in Cardiff?
A: You can find cheap markets and student prices if you shop smart and share meals.
Q: Can I find cheap fun in Cardiff?
A: Yes. Markets, free museums and local events often cost little to no money.
Simple tips to live well as an international student in Cardiff:
Make a small weekly plan for food, study and fun to keep money safe and time steady.
Find one quiet space for study and one noisy spot for friends so you can switch when you need rest or company.
Cook simple meals for yourself twice a week and share one meal with friends to learn recipes and save money.
Keep a paper list of phone numbers, local names and market days in your room so you do not forget helpful things.
Walk more to learn the streets and to find new cafes, murals and places for photo memories.
Health and routine help you study well. Sleep at regular times, drink water and make time for a small walk after class. Carry a small first aid kit and know where to go if you need a doctor. Talk to a tutor when study stress grows and ask for small extensions early if you need them. Make friends who help you cook, study and laugh so the hard times do not feel so big. Keep a tiny savings box for trips and for a festival treat once in a while. Learning to live simply in Cardiff makes the city feel like a kind friend who shows you new music, new tastes and new people at a gentle pace. Save cosy days for rest, plan a simple trip each term to the coast or hills and always be kind to yourself when days feel heavy because small, gentle steps make a long, happy study time.
Conclusion
Cardiff will feel like a small home if you take simple steps each week to meet people, try food and learn a few Welsh words. Pack light, keep a steady study plan and spend spare time walking in markets, parks and halls where people gather. When your room is safe and near the places you like, you can join festivals and meet friends without worry. For housing support, check StudentTenant.com for clear listings matching your budget, your distance to school and your quiet study time or lively street preferences. With a comfortable bed, easy daily routines and a positive attitude, your stay in Cardiff will be warm, bright and filled with nice surprises. Keep this guide with you, give it to a friend who is coming to the UK and don’t forget to slow down your exploration so that every market, song and dish becomes a memory that you can cherish forever.