as another american from the south. i am moving to england posthaste for school as well. do you have any tips/things you wish you knew? anything would be appreciated but no worries either way
the first time i moved to england was to get my master's degree ten years ago. i was totally out of my depth and it was hard at first.
this time, i'm very lucky in that i have that experience, a british partner and friends, and a solid understanding of british culture.
here are the things i wish i had known:
you are going to experience significant culture shock. a common language and familiarity with british media will not prepare you. there will be cultural, dialectical, and just day-to-day differences that will confuse you.
make sure you bring all of your necessary documents and keep them somewhere safe that will be secure, but easily accessible in case of a fire.
register with the NHS and get the app ASAP.
put your name on the NHS list for a dentist but know it can take years to get assigned one. find a private dentist in the meantime.
get your right to work number ASAP.
set up a phone plan and get an e-sim. activate it the day before you arrive. i've been really happy with giffgaff.
once you arrive, set up a Wise or Monzo account and get a card. a lot of US cards have international fees or just don't cooperate over here.
if you're renting, know that new laws make it so you only need to provide 2 months' notice to a landlord before leaving. you cannot be locked into contracts for a year, etc.
find a place that's pre-furnished and, if you can, order things like bedclothes, cleaning supplies, and towels to be delivered when you arrive. you're gonna be exhausted when you finally get to your place and won't feel like finding the nearest store.
get a student railcard and student bus pass, if possible.
being a student comes with a LOT of discounts. be sure to use them. movie theaters, subscription services, food delivery apps, gym memberships, and even some stores and restaurants offer student discounts.
get all the digital store cards (morrison's, lidl, etc). they will genuinely save you money.
public transport here is so much better. make use of it.
the british understanding of far away is going to be really different than an american's. everyone thinks i'm insane because i think a three hour train ride is reasonable.
british food is not all horrible slop. there's some really good stuff. try savory pies, pasties, full english breakfasts, fish and chips, yorkshire pudding, victoria sponge cake, ploughman's sandwiches, etc. in most cities, there's also a lot of great non-british food. but you will sometimes encounter sad, underseasoned shit, though.
learn your area's dialect(s).
do not mimic people's accents or try to adapt the local dialect. it'll make you look like a dick.
be mindful of the words you use. don't say you're bummed if you're let down--that means buttfucking. they call them bumbags, not fanny packs, as fanny means vagina. etc.
that said, you're gonna hear the word cunt used all the time. it does not have the same connotations as in the US.
join clubs, go to events, etc. if you don't know anyone, it can be confusing and lonely, but meeting people does not have to be hard.
you will probably not have a dryer unless you're living in certain student accommodations or near a washeteria. get a couple drying racks.
buy reusable bags or a backpack. stores charge if you need bags.
the UK has been getting rocked by heat waves. you will almost certainly not have AC. do not panic. here are some tips:
open your windows very early in the morning to circulate air then shut them by 10 am.
keep blinds/drapes drawn when possible.
get a bucket or container you can fit your feet in, fill it with cold water, and just stick your dogs in there.
buy a small personal fan or a neck fan.
get a thick hot water bottle, fill it with water, freeze it, and wrap it in a tea towel, then sleep with it. note: the rubber will degrade over time, so toss it at the end of the season. NEVER use it for hot water after, as it may rupture and burn you.
wet wash clothes with cold water and put them on the back of your neck. don't freeze them--holding ice against your skin for prolonged periods can be damaging.
get an umbrella to use when walking around on hot, sunny days.
avoid public transport if possible and expect train delays due to buckling tracks and/or electric malfunctions.
gracieabrams
blakekathryn
sugurugetos
turnnoffyourmind
andulkaphoto
origamiaround
areudirty
gamechangershow
