Spending time in college may be a life-changing experience for many people. It’s when many of us come into our own, try new things, push past our inhibitions, and see the world for the first time. Having the opportunity to study abroad increases our odds of success. study abroad, whether for a semester, a year, or the entirety of your degree program, presents an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, broaden your horizons, and build lifelong experiences.
Many American college students choose to spend a year or more studying in the UK. Cities in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are full of history. Most notably, there is no linguistic barrier, which facilitates socialization, friendship-building, and academic success among students. It’s an ideal destination for high school students interested in studying abroad.
As an American who studied in Scotland, I’d like to share my impressions of the experience and the things I learned there that I wish I’d known beforehand.
Your course load may range from light to heavy, depending on the subject matter you’ve chosen to focus on. Professors typically ease up on the scholastic requirements early in the semester so their students can adjust to the new culture and make the most of the social opportunities presented by studying away from home.
The time you spend at university (known as “uni” in the United Kingdom) is not directly proportional to the number of classes you take. You’ll spend a lot of time interacting with various societies. You are free to join as many as you wish and take part in them whenever you have the time.
Most societies have an annual membership price of no more than £5 ($6.50). There are many different kinds of interest groups. You can join a rugby or Quidditch team, or an art or cheese appreciation club. These groups not only hold regular meetings on campus but also organize extracurricular outings like bar hopping and sporting events as well as formal “society balls.” To meet new people and learn more about student life on your host school, join a club or society.
There aren’t any regular assignments being given to students.
Students in the United Kingdom are expected to demonstrate greater autonomy in their work than their American counterparts. Assignments are often due every week in US universities, and students must also pass periodic quizzes and tests. However, outside of class, you should expect to spend a lot of time in the UK reading and researching the material covered in class, but not necessarily completing assignments for submission. Since it’s easy to slack off without firm deadlines, you’ll need to be an expert at managing your time and imposing self-imposed constraints. In the United Kingdom, it is not unusual for students to receive their final grade based on the results of a single paper or exam.
Scoring system
Your first graded exam comes back and you receive a 70%! You feel bad about your C until you remember that the grading scale in the UK is different from the one in the US. Above the threshold of 70% in the UK is considered an A. The remaining values on the scale are as follows:
Don’t fall for it. This, however, does not imply that British universities are any less challenging. In some cases, only the most exceptional work receives an A grade.
You’ll make numerous lifetime pals at university from your roommates and coursemates. Student halls are communal flats with one kitchen and two bathrooms for 6-8 people, owned by universities or privately. Living in student halls is a terrific way to make friends and save money if you’re prepared to share a room.
British supermarkets sell a wide variety of goods at various pricing points. Most of the time, Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s, and Marks & Spencer will charge you more than Lidl, Asda, Tesco, or Aldi, but the opposite is true of Lidl, Asda, Tesco, and Aldi.
There are no on-campus dining halls in UK schools, so you’ll have to shop for and prepare all of your own meals. Cafes can be found on most college campuses, although they all charge fees. Stores and restaurants in most college towns give discounts, specials, and often even freebies to students who show their ID cards.
As you may know, the drinking age in the United Kingdom is 18, so if you plan on doing any drinking at all during your stay in the country, you can do it legally. Depending on where you’re from, this may be the first time in your life that you’ve ever been of legal drinking age. People won’t look down on you if drinking isn’t your thing or isn’t your emphasis; there will always be subsets of people who like social gatherings more or less than others. If you’re bored, there are plenty of other groups you may join.
The UK is well-connected by a public transportation system of buses and trains. For those aged 16-25 (26 for National Express), there are many deals for bus, rail, and the underground (metro). This is handy not only for travel between home and uni but also for day trips and weekend travel across the island.
The UK is a short hop from the rest of Europe and cheap flights can be booked through Ryanair and easyJet. Low-cost flights can be found through other carriers on Skyscanner.
Experiencing a new culture and history is only one of the numerous benefits of studying in a foreign nation. The history of the United Kingdom spans millennia, from prehistory to the Roman invasion of 43 AD, the Victorian era, and the reign of current Queen Elizabeth II. There are cities and villages all around the British Isles, each one rich in history and culture.
Sights and Activities in England
Participate in the 5th of November celebrations, popularly known as Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night. A botched assassination attempt on King James I in 1605 is commemorated by this national holiday in the United Kingdom.
Traditionally and extravagantly, Scots ring in the New Year on December 31 with Hogmanay celebrations.
It’s possible you’ll be taken aback by how different British culture is from what you’re used to back home. If this is your first time studying abroad, you may feel a little lost and confused for the first few weeks. This is normal and is a common symptom of culture shock.
You only say hello without a hug (like in the US) or a cheek kiss (like in Europe), and the language is different (make sure you know the difference between “trousers” and “pants” before you go clothes shopping!), but that’s just the beginning of the many ways that Brits differ from their American and European counterparts.
Many foreigners believe that the United Kingdom’s climate is perpetually dreary, cold, and overcast. I was afraid the lack of sunlight would bring me nothing but misery before I even arrived here.
As soon as I got there, I realized my concerns were unfounded. Rainy days in the United Kingdom are no problem, since there are lots of warm and inviting pubs and lively coffee shops to visit. The absence of the sun will be completely imperceptible. Don’t bother lugging an umbrella with you; they’re rarely used, even by students. You can get by with just a water-resistant jacket with a hood.
Quick information on the UK’s weather
Don’t let your uncertainty prevent you from studying in the UK; one of the best parts of studying abroad is discovering new things you never knew existed.
There’s no reason to let the fact that student life in the UK may be very different from what you’re used to back home prevent you from applying to universities there. You’ll have a great time in school, meet interesting people, see the world (Scotland is just a short flight away from many European cities), and who knows, maybe you’ll even learn to play the bagpipes like I did!
