The United Kingdom is a prime destination for many enthusiastic students eager to attend world famous universities and who aspire to imitate the lives of the protagonists of Brideshead Revisited and Bridget Jones' Diary. However, international students often do not realise that British culture is completely different to, say, continental European or American ways of life and they will have to adapt to it.
British lifestyle is often assimilated with unconditional allegiance to the Queen, bad food, Earl Grey and Carnaby Street. Yet in 2014 we are a far cry from Swinging London and the reign of Queen Elizabeth I; being a student in the UK in this day and age is an altogether different experience.
Indeed the United Kingdom does not live up to many of its stereotypes, for example, the food is excellent and comforting, and the beer isn't, as Americans would put it, "warm". However, skills one might find useful upon arrival in the United Kingdom are binge drinking, surviving insanely spicy curry and not minding the cold when queuing for nightclubs in December, in the snow, scantily clad. These skills might even be considered paramount in order to guarantee an unforgettable student experience.
Nonetheless, however keen an international student may be to blend in and adapt to his/her new surroundings, certain aspects of British life never cease to amaze and baffle. So here are 15 things that overwhelm even the most adaptable of students from across the world.
15 Things That Overwhelm International Students When They Start University
1. Being called "Love" by cab drivers.(01 of15)
Open Image Modal'ello Love (credit:Grant Faint via Getty Images)
2. The crisps/chips dilemma.(02 of15)
Open Image ModalThese are chips. Chips are not fries. (credit:www.labicicletavermella.com via Getty Images)
3. The comfort food.(03 of15)
Open Image ModalNothing soaks up a hangover like British food! (credit:Image Source via Getty Images)
4. The informality of student/professor relationships.(04 of15)
Open Image ModalEveryone is on a first name basis. (credit:caracterdesign via Getty Images)
5. The excessive use of Barbour jackets, tweed and Wellington boots.(05 of15)
Open Image ModalAre we going pheasant hunting? (credit:knape via Getty Images)
6. The "with all due respect" insult. (06 of15)
Open Image ModalSarcasm 101. (credit:Deborah Pendell via Getty Images)
7. The obsession with tea.(07 of15)
Open Image ModalWhy is there milk in the tea?! (credit:Rob Webb via Getty Images)
8. The beauty of British swear words.(08 of15)
Open Image ModalTo name one of the softer ones (credit:danielweiresq/Flickr)
9. The lack of clothing worn in nightclubs in December.(09 of15)
Open Image Modalgoodbye tights, hello goosebumps! (credit:Image Source via Getty Images)
10. The british stiff upper lip.(10 of15)
Open Image ModalDisplays of emotions are frowned upon ... (credit:Kikishua/Flickr)
11. How unexpectedly accurate shows like The Inbetweeners are.(11 of15)
Open Image ModalLad behaviour is actually a thing! (credit:Paul Archuleta via Getty Images)
12. How unrealistic your Pride and Prejudice expectations are.(12 of15)
Open Image ModalNot going to happen I'm afraid... (credit:Thalita Carvalho ?/Flickr)
13. The omnipresence of Jack Wills clothing.(13 of15)
Open Image ModalNot sure what the fuss is all about... (credit:crayzeetraveler/Flickr)
14. The accents.(14 of15)
Open Image ModalYou thought there was only one accent in the UK? Wrong. On top of Welsh, Scottish and Irish, there are a wide variety of regional accents that wound like completely different languages! (credit:John_ Woodcock via Getty Images)
15. The amazing university experience.(15 of15)
Open Image ModalAfter some adjusting it will be the best years of your life! (credit:Lonely Planet via Getty Images)