Life Outside of Studying

The reason you are coming to the UK might be to study, however, the experience is so much more than just school. It’s a chance to experience a new culture, meet people from around the world, and just have a really great time! Although you will spend a lot of time on your school work (duh, you kinda want to pass!) there will still be plenty of time to get out there and have some fun. Below I highlight the main extracurriculars you must try while across the pond.

Afternoon tea

An obvious starting point, afternoon tea is an absolute must while staying in the UK. Often a weekend occasion, most cafes and patisseries offer a menu option for this. It often includes a selection of small sandwiches, cakes, and pastries, tea (obvi) and/or coffee for one or two. Many places have also begun offering vegan and gluten free options as well so there is something for everyone. Afternoon tea is a great thing to do with friends when you want to change things up or take family to when they visit as a intro to English culture.

Hiking

Since England is quite small, especially when compared to Canada, you can travel quite quickly out of the city and to a place for a really nice hike. Being in Yorkshire myself I can take a 15-minute bus ride and find myself in beautiful countryside where I can explore. Whether or not you’re north, south, or in the middle, England offers some great trails for you to traverse, so don’t forget your walking boots!

Have a drink (or two) at the pub

Pub culture is huge in England. You will rarely find a day where the pub isn’t full, even on Christmas eve (true story)! It doesn’t have to be a big night out, just a casual drink after class or patio session on a nice day, the British are always up for a trip to the pub.

Travel

One of my favorite parts about being in the UK is the fact that it is so close to Europe, making it incredibly easy, and affordable, to travel when you have the time. You can find some incredible deals flying all over, such as £30 return to Ireland or £15 one-way to south of France. Hostels and Airbnb also make it really easy to arrange for a weekend or spur-of-the-moment trip with friends or solo to places you have always wanted to visit.

See a sports match

Football, rugby, cricket, you name it the English love it! The English take their sports very seriously and almost everyone you meet will have team they support full heartedly. It is therefore an absolute must to attend at least one match in order to gain the full experience of living in the UK. Just make sure to bring an umbrella, because they play rain or shine!

Explore

Above all, my favorite pass time is just walking around a new part of the city or taking a train to new town and exploring. Around every corner is a new beautiful building or cute shop or interesting museum. The history here is just so inspiring and adds so much to your studies, making every day special and unexpected.

If you have any questions or want to find out more about studying in the UK please contact one of our advisors here.