Preparing for Cold Climates: Winter Clothing and Health Tips for ASEAN Students Studying Abroad
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Aug 07, 2026 • Student Life
Layering, not one thick coat, keeps you warm in cold climates, and most of what you need is available secondhand or on sale rather than at full price before you fly.
🏠 Keep your main living space around 18°C. Colder rooms raise the risk of illness, according to NHS guidance
Layer with a moisture-wicking base, an insulating mid layer such as fleece or wool, and a waterproof, windproof outer shell
Buy your heaviest coat and boots after you land, from charity shops, outlet stores, or your university's clothing swap
Watch for numbness and pale, hard skin (frostbite) or confusion and slurred speech (hypothermia). Both need immediate medical attention
Wool and synthetic fleece hold heat when damp. Cotton does not, so avoid it as your main winter layer
The layering system that works
Three layers do more than one thick coat.
A base layer worn against your skin, thin thermal tops and leggings in merino wool or synthetic fabric, moves sweat away from your body so you stay dry. A mid layer, a fleece or wool jumper, traps warm air close to you. An outer shell, a waterproof and windproof jacket, blocks wind and rain from cutting through the layers underneath.
Skip cotton for your base and mid layers. Cotton absorbs sweat and stays wet against your skin, which pulls heat away from your body faster than wool or synthetic fabric. This matters most for your first winter, before your body adjusts to the cold.
What to pack before you fly, what to buy after you land
Pack thermal underwear, wool socks, and gloves from home if they cost less there than at your destination. Save the bulky, expensive items, a full winter coat, snow boots, a heavy scarf, for after arrival.
Coats and boots take up most of your luggage weight, and buying locally means sizing built for your destination's real conditions. A UK winter coat and a Canadian or northern US winter coat are not built for the same temperatures.
Check your university's international student pre-departure guide before you pack. Most publish a specific list for your destination's climate, including whether you need snow-rated boots or a warm waterproof pair.
Buying winter gear on a budget
Charity shops and thrift stores, Oxfam and British Heart Foundation in the UK, Goodwill and Salvation Army in the US and Canada, sell good coats for a fraction of retail price, especially in September and October before demand rises
University clothing swaps and international student welcome events often give away or sell donated winter gear from graduating students at low or no cost
End-of-season sales in February and March are the cheapest time to buy for the following winter, for anyone able to plan a year ahead
Outlet and budget outdoor retailers, Decathlon across Europe and Asia, Uniqlo's Heattech range, sell functional thermal layers at a lower price than specialist outdoor brands
Recognizing cold-related illness
Frostbite starts as numbness and pale, hard-looking skin, most often on fingers, toes, ears and your nose. Get indoors and warm the area gradually if you notice these signs.
Do not rub the skin.
Hypothermia is more serious and includes shivering that will not stop, confusion, slurred speech, and drowsiness. It needs immediate medical attention. Call emergency services rather than waiting for symptoms to pass.
According to NHS guidance , keeping your main living space at least 18°C helps prevent cold weather illness, including flu, and worsening of any existing health condition. Keep this in mind in shared housing where heating costs get split, since underheating a room to save money carries a real health cost.
Adjusting to shorter days
Reduced daylight in northern winters affects mood and energy for many people, sometimes described as seasonal affective disorder. Getting outside during daylight hours, even briefly, and keeping your room well lit during the day helps. If low mood continues for weeks, raise it with your campus counseling center rather than waiting it out.
Keeping warm without a high heating bill
Close curtains at dusk to hold heat in, and use draft excluders under doors. Layer bedding rather than raising the thermostat overnight. Hot drinks and regular meals help your body generate its own heat, so do not skip meals to save money during the coldest months.
Common first-winter mistakes
Buying a fashion coat instead of a functional one is the most common early mistake. A coat rated for city commuting in a mild climate rarely holds up against a windchill well below freezing. Check the temperature rating or insulation type before buying, not only the look of the coat.
Skipping proper footwear is another common mistake. Sneakers and thin-soled shoes soak through on wet snow and offer no grip on ice, raising your risk of a fall. Waterproof boots with a solid tread matter as much as a warm coat once snow and ice settle on pavements.
Staying healthy through the season
Cold, dry indoor air and crowded lecture halls raise your exposure to seasonal flu during winter months. Many university health services and local pharmacies offer flu vaccinations each autumn, often free or low-cost for enrolled students. Getting one in October or November, before flu season peaks, reduces your risk of missing classes during exams.
Lower sunlight exposure through winter also reduces the vitamin D your body produces naturally. A vitamin D supplement, widely available and inexpensive at any pharmacy, is common practice for residents of northern countries through the darker months, and international students moving from a tropical climate benefit from the same habit.
Dry indoor heating also dries out skin and sinuses faster than a humid tropical climate does. A basic moisturizer and a saline nasal spray, both cheap and available at any pharmacy or supermarket, ease the adjustment during your first cold season.