Studying in the UK is a fun and exciting adventure! Despite being part of the Commonwealth and being an English speaking country like Canada, there are still some things you should know before studying in the UK that you might not expect!
 

There are Four Nations

The terms the United Kingdom and Great Britain can be a little confusing, which one do you use and what do they mean? The term “Great Britain” refers to the land mass that comprises England, Scotland, and Wales. The UK or United Kingdom includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland- the full name is United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
 

How to stay in Touch

For calling home, you can use Skype on your laptop, cell phone (mobile) or tablet to call another Skype account back home for free – or you can top of your Skype account to make calls to landlines/ mobile phones. If you have an iPhone, you can also use FaceTime in the same way. Other free apps that might be helpful include Viber, Whatsapp and even Facebook messenger as an option for calls now.
 

You Might be Homesick

Preparing to study in the UK can feel like a long process, preparing your application, waiting for responses from universities and then going through the student visa process. When you finally get there and the excitement wears off, a lot of students can become homesick and that is totally normal! Moving to a new country plus the pressure of doing well in your program can be a big adjustment. Keep yourself busy and get into a routine. You will feel at home in no time!
 

Stand on the Right

This may seem like a silly thing, but it might actually be the best advice you ever get! Stand off to the right when you step on an escalator. If you want to walk up or down to pass people, you pass them on the left. You will see what I mean when you get there!
 

Language Differences

There are several British phrases/ terms that you will encounter. Some will be obvious and some will leave you scratching your head. It will also depend on what region in the UK you are in. Here are a few of the essential terms:

• Mobile- Cell phone
• Queue- line up
• All right? – How are you?
• Cheerio- Goodbye
• Cheeky- Brash or irreverent – basically a smart aleck
• Chuffed- Really happy about something
• Daft- Stupid
• Gobsmacked- Amazed or shocked
• Mate- Friend
• Nick- To steal

Weather

In case you weren't aware of this, the UK is known for its cold and wet weather! Pack lots of warm and waterproof outfits for the winter months, and definitely wear layers! The winters aren’t as cold in Canada but the summers are also not as hot- so keep that in mind when you are packing!
 

Having a job can be a great way to see a new place from a different perspective. You will likely interact with more locals and people that are not necessarily students. It makes you feel like less of a tourist, and more integrated into the everyday function of your new chosen home. University can feel like a tight little bubble, and a job can coax you out (in a good way).

Here are a few things to keep in mind when working in the UK for the first time:
 

You’ll need a National Insurance Number

Equivalent to a social insurance number in Canada, you are required to have one in order to receive paychecks properly. The process can take some time, so you are allowed to start working without the number, but you are expected to be in the process of obtaining one. It's not hard to do; you’ll need to call a hotline and set up an interview. You’ll bring documentation showing your address and identity, and within a few weeks you’ll receive your number in the mail.
 

It’s a great way to get experience in your chosen field

Summer is a great time to build your CV and pick up some experience that you may not find during the school year. From the first day of my law degree, we were drilled on the importance of receiving actual legal experience. It’s a very competitive field and you need to have something to make you stand out. This can be hard to reach during the school term when you’re stressed and drowning in deadlines.

I got very lucky, and I’ve spent the summer interning at a law firm in London. I'm able to work there for three months, gain invaluable experience, and still visit Canada for a few weeks at the end of the summer. It’s been amazing!
 

Brits and Canadians have different styles of work

A job is a great way to discover more differences between your old and new homes. I’ve worked in offices in Canada, and now offices here, and the culture can be very different. British people have a healthy sense of humour and they don’t leave it at the door when they arrive at work.
 

You can make money for more adventures

If you’ve read any of my other blogs, you know that train tickets don’t come cheap! The more hours I work, the more disposable income for trips to Brighton and flights across Europe. Enough said?
 

You can experience a city differently than as a student

Living in London as a legal professional and as a student have been two different experiences. I commute in work wear every day, and I have my entire weekend to take advantage of the city. I can go for brunch on a Sunday morning without any nagging guilt about an essay that needs to be written. There were periods during the semester where I had so much coursework, I would only leave campus once or twice a week. Now I make a point of visiting as many boroughs as possible every week.

Working in a new place can feel overwhelming, but there’s huge benefit to sticking around in the UK during the summer and doing something different with your time.
 

Starting your Master's is a big step and is an exciting new chapter in your life, but the work and stress that can come along with it can be demanding at times! For me, even though I am in a course-based program I am still required to write a 15,000-18,000-word dissertation now that my classes are done. I am only a few months away from submitting (yay!) and thought I would share some helpful tips that have allowed me to stay focused and on-track so far!
 

Start Early

I know this one has been said to you time and time again ever since you started school, but this tip is actually very important for a big piece of writing like this. This is one assignment that you cannot do at the last minute and requires a lot of planning in advance. If you don’t pick a topic early enough you won’t be able to submit ethics in time, which means you can’t start collecting data in time and then won’t have anything to write about before the submission deadline! Start early, even if this means just writing down topic ideas as they come to you and doing some research to see what’s been done already. I have classmates who have are still waiting to hear back from ethics (its mid-July currently) and may not finish in time for our submission deadline (mid-September) meaning they will have to delay their submission and therefore their graduation date, which is not fun to think about considering all the time and hard work we’ve all put in to this course!

It may seem daunting at first to pick a topic, but that’s okay. You don’t have to stick with what you decide on initially! My topic was tweaked and adjusted many times before I finally decided what to do. Try not to stress and just do the best you can at the time, I promise you can do it!
 

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others – Do What’s Best for You

There’s probably some people in your course who will finish their dissertation weeks or months before the due date, and others who will still be writing hours before the deadline (this is ill-advised as you need to plan for time to print your dissertation and have it bound properly). This is okay though, everyone is different. Some work better under pressure or are busy with other important commitments, and others may have what seems like all the time in the world to be able to go to the library and write. It’s important to know how you work best and stick with that.  If you do your best writing at night, don’t force yourself to try and spend all day in the library. I have often spent my day doing other thing only to do my best writing after 11pm – whatever works right? Of course, it’s good to have friends to check-in with to make sure you are all making progress (whatever that means for you), but don’t let that one friend who can write 3,000 words in one sitting pressure you into feeling in-adequate. You made it this far because of your own skills, know that they can help carry you over the finish line!
 

Take Time for You

Some days it’s just not going to work. Know that this is okay and that if you follow the step above by starting early, taking a day off because things aren’t working is totally fine! I recently had a bit of writers block so I took a nice, short 2-night trip to Scotland to clear my mind and get away from the confines of my dorm room and the campus. Looking after yourself and making sure you are feeling good will help you prepare to face your dissertation the next day (or the day after that haha). Taking time for you can be as small of an effort as turning off all screens an hour before you sleep (which is recommended anyways for a better sleep) or binging an entire Netflix series of two! Making sure you are at your best personally will help make your work be the best it can be. Don’t try and force things if they aren’t working! Take a step back, relax, and breathe – you got this!

These are just a few tips to help you when writing your dissertation! If you are feeling up to the challenge and are considering studying abroad Across The Pond can help.
 

England is a fascinating place to visit and live, and there is plenty to see and do even outside London. Here, we highlight the uniqueness and quintessential Englishness that can only be found here, and give 5 reasons why studying in England will be a great opportunity!
 

England knows how to treat international students 

England is an incredibly popular choice for international students to gain their education. Generations of students worldwide have gone to England for their studies, which means British universities have decades of experience working with the international market. This means that they are knowledgeable about Canadian academic and work standards, and can give quality academic advise to Canadians, from the time you apply until you graduate. This is especially true for law students, as some universities have specifically built their law programs to cater to Canadians.
 

Castles and other historical landmarks 

Whether you’re into modern palaces, medieval cathedrals or ancient Celtic and Roman ruins, England has it all! Buckingham palace, in the heart of London, gives summer tours, giving guests a unique look at the official residence of the Royal Family, the state rooms, and the Royal Collection. The Worcester Cathedral (in Worcester, about an hour West of London), built between 1084 and 1504, is a beautiful example of medieval architecture. Interred here is King John (of Robin Hood fame), and it was the location of William Shakespeare’s wedding to Anne Hathaway.
 

Literature 

We all have a place in our hearts for a certain British author or character, whether that be the classics like Jane Austin or Charles Dickens, or more modern characters like Harry Potter and the Doctor. Conveniently, there are a number of places to visit to indulge in your favourites, such as the Sherlock Homes Museum at 221b Baker Street or Shakespeare’s Globe in London.
 

Unique places to grab a pint 

Pubs can be some of the most interesting and historical places you can visit. The Bear Inn is the oldest pub in Oxford, being around since the 13^th Apparently, it’s not the kind of place to wear a tie, as they have a vast collection of neckwear in glass cases around the room from patrons taking them off and leaving them behind, with a note and the date. There’s also the King Charles House in Worcester, where King Charles hid, and was later squirreled off to France, after losing the English Civil War. This pub has had a lot of remodelling over the years, but is now been restored to its traditional style. No matter where you go in England, there is a pub nearby with just as much history as any museum.
 

Weather 

Despite what you may have seen in the movies, London doesn’t actually get fog very often, nor is it always raining. In fact, in terms of mm of precipitation, most of England sees less rainfall per year than cities like Ottawa! However, it is overcast and dreary a lot of the time, and can start raining at any moment, so you will be well advised to always bring along your brelly. The really nice aspect of English weather is the lack of extremes that we see in Canada. In winter, the temperature may dip below zero, so you’ll see a little snow, but it typically melts away rather quickly, and you won’t need your parka or snowpants. Summertime is more temperate than in Canada, with highs that are typically in the low- to mid-20s. This means that air-conditioning is a rare, but you won’t miss it.

All in all, England is fantastic place to live and visit, with innumerable things to see and do. Extensive history can be found anywhere, and it truly is the opportunity of a lifetime to study there!
 

It is very easy to have a fun time in the UK, but it's even easier to do it while spending lots of money. I loved living in London and I wanted to enjoy the experience the best I can, but it's also important to remember that you're managing it on a student budget. Here are some tips for making the most of your time here, while still being kind to your wallet!

1. Choose Budget Friendly Transport 

One unfortunate discovery I made about London was the huge expense of transportation. Even with a student pass, it's easy to get carried away when taking the tube in London (especially when payments are contact-less!) Busses do tend to cost a little less, but the costs still easily add up! The good news is that most places in central London are close to each other and walking or biking are great alternative modes of travel if you want to save some of your Oyster budget. 

This way, you see so much more of the city and you can even catch the streets off the beaten track that make London such a unique city. I’ve found some great hidden gems while walking around the city, and some I definitely wouldn't have come across if I stuck to main bus or tube routes.  

If you get tired of walking, why not rent a bike? As you wander around the city, you may notice bicycle stands scattered around. These are Santander Cycles and you can rent these bicycles from one location, and return it to any other location throughout the city. These can not only be budget friendly, but a great way to get some exercise in while exploring! Just be careful if you're biking on the roads! Always be mindful of the traffic, especially if you're still getting used to traffic being on the opposite side of the road.  

2. Picnics in the park

Eating at restaurants in the UK can be extremely expensive, but prepared meals from food shops are usually reasonably priced (as long as you’re not in the posh shops!). Keep a look out for "Meal Deals" at favourite shops like Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury's and enjoy the many parks that the city has to offer. Some favourites include Green Park, right next door to Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, neighbours with Kensington Palace, and Regent's Park (101 Dalmations, anyone?). 

In addition to the Royal Parks, there are countless small green spaces throughout the city (and across the UK!) You're bound to find a few favourites and even a couple hidden gems. 

3. BYOB

As an addition to the above tip, it is generally far cheaper to pick up a beer or cider from the supermarket than from a pub. Laws surrounding alcohol are very different in the UK compared to North America. You should look up the particular law in your region, but it may be perfectly legal to have a small bevvy with your outdoor picnic.

4. Hiking/Walking/Adventuring

The UK is a secret outdoorsy haven. Many students (myself included) missed going on a proper hike when moving from Canada to the UK (especially if they relocate to a metropolis like London). 

Thankfully, the UK is full of fabulous adventure activities and they’re available all year long. No matter where you end up in the UK, it's quite easy to find some outdoor adventures! Try visiting the Yorkshire Dales (England), the Burns Trail (Scotland), or the Sallagh Braes walk (Northern Ireland) for some breathtaking scenery that will make you feel right at home.
 

Other than the cost of parking (depending on location) and some very sore legs, the experience is free!

5. Avoid the trains and take the bus (but if you’re going to take the train, get a student discount card)

Travelling around different UK cities is a must-do for your time abroad, but train tickets can be costly. Bus tickets are considerably more within a student budget, and busses run frequently across the UK. It takes a little longer, but if you have the time it’s a worthwhile sacrifice (with a good deal, you can pay as little as £10 for a bus ticket from London to Leeds, where the train tickets can cost upwards of £75). If you must take the train invest in a student railcard, which will pay for itself within a few journeys.

Consider travelling during "off-peak" hours for additional savings! 

The best thing you can do with your time abroad is wander and see the country from all different angles. I hope these tips can help you explore and make the most of your adventure!