ABOUT UK
At home in your own country, there are lots of customs, habits and social rules that you probably don’t think about because you are so used to them These vary from culture to culture and that is one of the things that makes being in another country so interesting and thought-provoking. You’ll notice differences in the way people dress, greet each other, practise religion, eat, behave in different situations, express their opinions, and even how they treat animals or have expectations of punctuality. It is a good idea to prepare yourself for any cultural differences by reading as much as you can about the UK before you leave. Try to think about what you’ll need to tell others about your own cultural needs too.
As a student, you are likely to have the opportunity to join all sorts of activities that can help you settle in, express yourself, relax and have some fun. Debating societies, choirs, drama groups, sailing, volunteering, business societies and meditation…it’s up to you.
Food
The food you can buy in the UK reflects the many ethnic influences in British society. Most supermarkets sell ingredients from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America, as well as food from many other parts of the world. The British are increasingly healthy eaters and there is a very wide range of organic produce available in shops and supermarkets. You’ll still find the famous English breakfast and Fish and Chips, but you’ll also see a very diverse range of meals and menus while you’re in the UK.
Making friends
Being a student in the UK is not just coursework or doing research but relaxing and having some fun too. Students can get discounts on so many cultural experiences and attractions, and wherever you study you’ll find places to enjoy with friends or by yourself…concerts, walks in the country, museums, cinemas, up-to-the-minute sports facilities, galleries, cafes and castles, gardens, shops and coastline. UK institutions pride themselves on providing great social opportunities for their students, with different societies and groups for a massive range of interests. International students from all over the world tell us about how easily they make new friends from all over the world. Making friends in the UK will really help you to improve your English too.
Religion
If you follow a religion and worship regularly at home, then you can continue to do so in the UK. Every major world religion is represented and most cities have Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist centres, as well as synagogues and churches of all denominations. Keeping routine with your faith will provide you with a link to your life at home but can also enable you to develop new friendships quickly. The religious festivals celebrated in the UK reflect its multi-faith culture.
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