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Study in London - Things to do - Across the Pond Blog

Things To Do in Your Spare Time in London

Written by Ambassador Loleini - 01/08/2023

There are endless ways to fill your spare time as a student in London. Every week I discover new things and new places that are off the beaten track. I study and live in East London, so I admit that I’m partial to this side of the city – but there are great things to explore all across the tube network. Here’s a list of my favourite things to do when I get a spare moment between assignments in London.
 

Have a drink and a wander in Shoreditch

I spend a lot of time in Shoreditch. It’s in East London, but it’s accessible enough that my friends across the city aren’t too bothered to travel over. The streets are historic and quirky, there are lots of nice shops if you’re around during the day, and there is no shortage of fun places to get a drink or a bite to eat at any time. The bars are offbeat and generally more affordable than places in central London.
 

Stroll down the South Bank

The South Bank is one of my favourite places in London. If you’re up for a long walk, you can wander all the way down the Thames from Westminster to Tower Bridge, catching iconic London sights on the way (including Big Ben, the National Theatre, St. Paul’s cathedral, Millennium Bridge, and the Tower of London). The south bank also offers its own activities, so check out what they have on.

 

Museum and Gallery Lates

At the end of the month, many museums and galleries in London pick a night to stay open and host a museum “lates”. During lates, museums won’t close until around 10pm and they’ll serve drinks that you can sip while you peruse the exhibits. It’s such a great way to experience some of the most well-known centres of art and history in the world, including the Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, and the Victoria and Albert. And as a bonus, entrance is free! It’s one of my favourite ways to spend a Friday night in London. Look on the museum’s individual website to find their dates for the month.
 

Greenwich

There is so much to do in Greenwich; the parks are beautiful, the pubs are cute, and it’s home to such activities as the Royal Observatory and the Maritime Museum. It takes you a little out of the hustle and bustle of central London, but it’s still very accessible by DLR. It’s a great place to venture when the city gets a little overwhelming, especially on a sunny day.
 

Catch a movie at the Genesis theatre

The Genesis is well-known among locals as a cool place to be in the East End. You can catch everything from big blockbuster movies to indie films and special showing nights. The theatre also has a café, a bar, and a restaurant inside of it – you actually don’t even need a movie ticket to hang out there. They even have live music some nights. The theatres are tiny and cozy, and they offer discounts for students. Compared to the big IMAX cinemas, it’s very affordable.
 

Spend a casual afternoon in Victoria Park

Hyde Park and St. James Park get a lot of attention, but Victoria Park is my personal favourite. There aren’t really any tourists, and on a sunny Sunday afternoon its filled with families walking their dogs and kids learning to ride bikes. It’s a great place to sit with a coffee or kick a football around. There’s also a great bakery and café in the park called ‘The Pavilion’ that makes a mean eggs benedict. While you’re in this area:

  • Wander down the canal in either direction, it’s beautiful!
  • Stop in the local shops on nearby Roman Road; there is even a market several days of the week.
     

Visit Columbia Road Flower Market

To round off my list, here is a last East London treasure. Every Sunday, no matter the season or the weather, flower vendors bring their stock to Columbia Road. Even if you’re not shopping, it’s lovely and colourful to just browse. Go first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds and take home the best flowers or go late in the day for the last-minute discounts as vendors try to sell off their stock. Visit a nearby Hackney café for brunch while you’re there.

 

If you would like to find out more about studying in the UK, please contact one of our Advisors.
 

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Grocery Shopping in the UK

Written by Across the Pond Ambassador - 18/03/2018

Making the move to study in England is a big decision, you’re leaving your friends, family, bed, and the comforts of your own home. As exciting and life-changing this experience is, it can also be a big adjustment, one such adjustment is grocery shopping. Coming from Canada we are used to everything being big, maybe not as big compared to our southern neighbors, but for the most part things are quite over-sized. Everything from our coffees, to our highways, and especially our grocery stores. Not only are our grocery stores huge, each offering every possible thing you could imagine, they are also everywhere, located at every possible interval within a city. In England this is just not the case.

The size of the grocery stores here was the first thing to strike me. You’ll find that the stores in the UK are smaller, maybe 5 or 6 aisles holding the necessities such as bread, milk, some vegetables, and a selection of frozen foods. The bigger, better stocked grocery stores are often not centrally located but are easy enough to get to on public transport.

The main chains are Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s. Morrisons stores tend to be the biggest centrally located and you can find a wide variety of local and international foods. You’ll find an abundance of small Tesco express stores scattered throughout cities, as well as Sainsbury’s local stores where you can pick up the essentials.

A major bonus for a vegetarian like me is the availability of farmers markets and produce stands. These shops offer a range of fresh and local fruits and vegetables at cheaper prices and with less waste than the chain stores. Also, as a bit of a health nut I was pleasantly surprised at the presence of health food stores where you can pick up bulk items such as nuts, seeds, and meat alternatives. International grocery stores can also be found scattered throughout cities, including Asian and African supermarkets. This comes in handy for students who are worried about missing comforts of home! 

Despite the ranging options of supermarkets there a few things that are missing from the British food selection. First of all, the selection of breakfast cereals is majorly lacking. Do not expect and entire aisle dedicated to your favorite breakfast staple. Secondly, for peanut butter lovers such as myself, the natural variety does not taste the same as in Canada, however almond butter has since become a staple in my diet.

Although, not everything is the same, it is always an adventure going food shopping and discovering new brands and products you have never heard of before. If you too want to explore a new culinary atmosphere than contact one of the Across the Pond Advisors to find out more about studying in England.  

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Study in the UK - London - Student Housing - Accommodation - Across the Pond Canada

Student Housing in London

Written by Across the Pond - 16/03/2018

The housing situation in London was one of my main hesitations when I considered moving to the city. It’s intimidating to face as a young student, especially if you’re on a budget (like me). The good news is that tens of thousands of students navigate this process in London every year, and it shouldn’t be a deterrent for living in one of the best cities in the world. To help prepare you, I’ve rounded up some of your options and the most helpful information for conquering the London housing market.
 

Student accommodation through your University

Most universities will have some kind of housing available for their first-year students. If you apply early, it can be the easiest way to make sure you have a place to live on your first day of class. University supported residence is safe, reputable, and up to a good standard. If you’re a mature student (older than 21) it’s also possible that your university will place you with other older students; this can be a wonderful thing during the orientation week parties that you may have outgrown. I attend one of the few universities in London to have their residences on campus. It’s truly a great thing to live in a great, big city, but be able to walk to class in two minutes. However, not every university has this benefit, and it can be a pain to live in uni housing 45 minutes away from campus. This is an important thing to look up before choosing your accommodation. The tricky thing is that many London universities will only allow you to live in housing during your first year – after that you’re on your own.
 

Private student accommodation

There are a number of private student accommodation companies in London. Reputable companies like IQ and Liberty provide very high-quality housing in the student dorm style across the city. The downside is that these places are usually far more expensive, and their leases generally last for the entire year – so you must commit to paying rent all summer. The bonus is that the rooms are usually far nicer than university accommodation, and you still get the safe, social environment of living with students. This option will also be available over the course of your entire degree.
 

Flat sharing

Many of my friends found a place to live through websites like spareroom, where people advertise a room in their home to rent. This can be the most affordable route, and you might end up living with a cool group of people. The downside is that you lose a lot of the comforts that come with student organised accommodation; you need to keep an eye out for shady landlords, and you may encounter problems with your flatmates that can’t be fixed by a designated person in charge. But it’s a great option if you’re looking for both accommodation and some roommates. 
 

Finding a place with a group

It’s also possible to bring a group of people together and find a house or flat to live. Many people do this in the later years of their degree. You may also be able to find flatmates in networks you are a part of already. You can post in Facebook groups for alumni of your school and find likeminded people that also need a place to live in London. You have many options, and places can come furnished or unfurnished.

Be conscious that with the competitive market, you might need a guarantor that resides in the UK, reference checks, or to pay additional agency fees. These things might make it more difficult or more expensive, so ask lots of questions and do your research beforehand.
 

Helpful tips

  • Look for your accommodation in August – things open-up later when other students move out.
  • Take advantage of any help your university provides. They might have a specific database for off-campus housing, or provide resources about your rights as a tenant and best practices for navigating the system.
  • Thoroughly evaluate a place the first time you see it. Once you see a place you like, you have to take it immediately.
  • Check out the travel zone that the accommodation is in – it will affect the cost of travelling into university (you are charged for passing through a zone, even if you don’t stop in it).

 

London is so big and there are so many people, there will always be a place to live and flatmates to find. You shouldn’t let the challenge of finding a place scare you from living in this incredible city!

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Study in the UK - London Fashion

Fashion in London

Written by Ambassador - 13/03/2018

 

After 6 months of living in London I am finally starting to become familiar with the typical street style here and am feeling more and more confident in both myself and my fashion sense. When I told my friends and family that I was moving to London of course the first thing they all told me was to get a good rain coat and pair of rain boots. Since moving here though I have learned that London and its style is about so much more than just the rain! The street style here is incredible and it sometimes amazes me the outfits people put together with basic items that both you and I probably have in our closets. These are some of the main points I have learned while living here:


Layers

The weather here is London is ever-changing and therefore difficult to dress for if you are headed out for a full day. I have experienced, rain, wind, and sun all within a few hours of leaving my house and discovered that wearing layers is the best option to be comfortable at all times. Being able to strip down to just a t-shirt or blouse when the sun is out is always a good feeling, but when the wind picks up and the sun goes behind a big cloud you’ll be happy that you have you have a sweater or two plus a scarf to bundle back up with. I suggest lighter pieces of clothing to be used for layers as the only thing worse than being overdressed for the weather is being overdressed in thick, uncomfortable pieces of clothing. A bonus layer to wear is a nice scarf! Londoners here love using scarves as both a fashion statement and an extra layer to keep warm during the colder winter months!

 

Keep It Simple Yet Classy

In London it’s easy to spot a traveler versus a local based on what they are wearing. Street style here is chic, yet casual. What I’ve noticed is that an everyday outfit for someone for someone from London is what you and I might consider a dressy or formal outfit. I’m not saying people are walking around in gowns and tuxedos, but blue or black jeans are usually worn with nice jackets and proper shoes as opposed to say sneakers and a hoodie.  You typically won’t find locals out and about in ‘comfort clothes’ such as leggings or sweats unless it’s for a quick jaunt to the corner store and back. One trend that is sticking around though is wearing sneakers with a nicer outfit. So many companies are coming out with runners that are meant to be worn casually and not just to the gym and I love it as it allows me to still be stylish while also being comfortable. 


Get a Good Coat

Honestly this is one of my biggest pieces of advice when people ask what to pack if they are moving to London (or the UK in general) – get a good coat that you can wear everyday with everything! I highly suggest a nice long wool coat in a neutral grey or camel colour! You can dress it up and wear it formally if needed, or can wear it with sneakers and jeans like pictured above. I’ve noticed that plaid is becoming more and more popular as well and is becoming a staple along with other basic colours. The weather typically requires at least one layer or coat and so having a staple jacket that you can wear all the time is definitely worth the investment! 

I love the London style and am excited to see what the warmer spring and summer seasons will bring! I highly recommend looking up London fashion and street style bloggers should you want more information. If you are looking for inspiration Pinterest is an amazing source that will help spur your creativity to create some iconic fashion looks as well! If you want to see and experience this for yourself, Across The Pond can help.
 

 Please contact one of our Advisors if you would like to find out more about studying in the UK. 

 

 

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Travelling Abroad While Abroad

Written by Hailey - 28/02/2018

Living abroad inspires you to travel. It educates you on new places and cultures through the places you visit and the people you meet. Since moving to Scotland, I’ve gained a heightened respect for other cultures, as I’ve spoken to many different people from around the world. The people you meet abroad are reason alone to travel – I now have connections throughout Europe, the United States, Mexico, and even Dubai. These are people I’ve met while studying and working in Aberdeen, but also through travelling. Luckily, travelling while abroad is incredibly easy, even on a student budget.

Below are some of my top reasons to travel while abroad:
 

Affordability

Most Canadians will understand how expensive it is to travel outside Canada. Flights to Europe, Asia, Australia, etc. are long and expensive journeys. It’s also not cheap to travel within Canada. I’m often embarrassed to admit that I’ve only seen Toronto and Montreal. But living in the UK is another story. Affordable airlines, trains, and busses make it cheap and easy to travel to nearby countries and within the UK.
 

Learning about new cultures

I believe it’s extremely important to have an understanding of different cultures while living abroad. Travelling offers an opportunity to step outside your individual experience and learn about other people and lifestyles. Just yesterday, I bought a “Polish for Dummies” book. One of my close friends is from Poland and we’re planning to visit Warsaw together this summer.
 

Bond with friends – or yourself 

Travelling with friends can be a great bonding experience. You’ll create memories together that you can share long into the future. It also gives you something fun to anticipate and plan as a team.

Travelling alone can also be an enriching experience. If you’ve never travelled by yourself, I recommend doing it at least once. I travelled to Barcelona for five days in December before heading home to Toronto for the holidays. This was my first experience vacationing alone. It felt lonely at first, but this trip quickly became one of my favourite vacations. Travelling alone pushes you WAY out of your comfort zone. I rented a room in an Airbnb apartment and filled my days and evenings with activities around the city. I spoke to so many new people, and even made a couple new friends, simply by pushing myself to venture into the city and interact with others. This is an independence you can only gain on your own.
 

Conversation pieces

I love when people compliment my sweater and I get to respond with: “Thanks, I bought it in Barcelona!” In all seriousness, travelling gives you new perspectives and ideas that you can bring to conversations with your friends and family – just try not to make them too jealous!
 

Travel Hacks/Tips

Travelling has taught me several useful hacks for navigating an enjoyable (and affordable) student vacation:

  1. Airbnb:

We’ve all used Airbnb for affordable rooms, apartments, and houses. But did you know the website also offers “experiences?” I discovered this section by accident while booking my room for Barcelona. The concept is the same as booking an accommodation, except it’s used for events and excursions instead. Airbnb experiences are posted by locals who offer unique activities at affordable prices. You can sign up for tours, hikes, bike rides, dance lessons, live music, wine tastings – the list goes on. I signed up for both a hike and coffee tasting in Barcelona, which helped me learn more about the city and meet new friends.

  1. Budget flights:

Cheap airlines are great because, well, they’re cheap. But these airlines are cheap for a reason. Always pack your own snacks, as they do not provide free on-flight food. Also, bring an empty water bottle to fill for the flight once you’ve passed through security.

  1. Travel in the off-season:

I travelled to Barcelona during the city’s off-season for tourism, which I believe made all the difference in my experience. My hike and coffee tasting only included one other person in each event; this is the reason I connected with people so quickly. Off-seasons attract fewer crowds, making it easier to travel to popular locations. Also, you avoid being lumped in with hordes of tourists.

 

I believe it’s beneficial to immerse yourself in new cultures while studying abroad. Take every opportunity to travel while you’re here, as there’s no greater moment to experience the world than right now.

 

 To begin your global adventure, please get in touch with one of our Across the Pond advisors.

 

 

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Befriending Other International Students

Written by Ambassador Loleini - 26/02/2018

One of my favourite parts about studying in the UK is meeting other international students. And while it’s absolutely important to make friends with locals, I find that international students tend to gravitate towards one another. Here are a few reasons why.
 

They want the same things as you

International students are more likely to be looking for the same experience as you. They’ll probably be more interested in travelling on study breaks and exploring the city where you live. There are so many opportunities for travelling around the UK and Europe, and I’ve found that it’s usually international friends that are up for these trips. It makes for a different university experience when you haven’t grown up in the country and you have a limited time to enjoy it. If there’s a cool event or pub to visit, international students don’t always have the luxury of saying “I’ll go next time”. We tend to make the most of the time we do have. 
 

You have different nationalities, but you probably have similar personalities

Despite being from different backgrounds, you and your international friends probably have compatible personalities. It takes a certain type of person to pick up and move to a new continent. You’re probably adventurous, independent, and interested in the world. Of course, every international student is unique, but having those qualities in common can lead to a quick friendship. You will probably find yourself gravitating towards these peers because you have similar ways of seeing the world. You’d be surprised at how many barriers you can overcome when you have a shared love of travel.
 

You become a family

There’s a special bond that forms when you are so far away from home. Your family might be many time zones away and not awake to answer a call when you need them. You’re away for holidays and birthdays, and your mom isn’t around to make you soup when you inevitably get sick. Your fellow international students are in the same boat. They become your family when you don’t have your own close by. Together, you bake cakes on birthdays and cook Thanksgiving meals. You become a strong support system, and you understand each other’s struggles. It makes for a very special relationship.
 

It’s hard to leave, but you form lasting international bonds

It’s not always easy. Despite all the fun, time abroad doesn’t last forever; it’s an incredibly unique experience to make close bonds and then months or years later, go in different directions home to entirely different countries. It’s bittersweet to build a support system and then later have that support be accessible only by skype.  

But it’s worth it. When you make friends with international students, you gain couches to sleep on all over the world. You learn about new cultures, foods to eat, and languages. You learn to associate places in the world with the people that you’ve met – a magical thing that can crush stereotypes and make you a more compassionate and understanding world citizen.

Before I moved to the UK to do my law degree, I studied abroad for a year during my undergraduate degree. Although that experience was several years ago now, I still talk to the international friends I made every single day. When I spent the summer backpacking, I planned my route to stop in all the countries where I could visit friends. International connections have brought me to small villages and big cities that I would never have expected to visit. And because neither one of you is from the country where you studied, you can spend hours reminiscing on the places you miss.

Ultimately, international students are the people who truly understand the experience that you’ve had, long after you left.

If you would like to find out more about studying in the UK, please contact one of our Advisors.

 

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4 Tips for Making Friends in the UK

Written by Advisor - 23/02/2018

I have always envied the people who can enter new situations and immediately become best friends with someone else. Although I like to think of myself as friendly, it always takes me a bit of time and multiple interactions to form a close and lasting relationship, making travelling across the world, away from my friends and family quite intimidating. Would people like me? Would I make friends? Would I find travel buddies to pop over to Europe with? Would I have people to grab a coffee or pint with on a Friday? If you are also agonizing over these types of questions, let me assure you that the answer to all them is a resounding yes! But if my word is simply not enough, let me highlight a few tips to make the friend-making process a little easier.
 

Embrace the awkwardness

Believe it or not, everyone in your new program is suffering with the same feelings of unease about meeting new people as you, so embrace it! Even if you are not an outgoing person, simply saying hello is a great place to start. I was lucky in the sense that my program only has 17 people in in, so inevitably we had to get to know each other, but even if you are in a bigger cohort striking up a conversation with the person sitting next you will get the ball rolling. Asking them where they are from or recommendations on where to get the best fish and chips will help break the ice. Know that you will not click with everyone, but you have to put yourself out there and risk being a little awkward to find those who you do click with!
 

Join a club

Universities are amazing today in offering clubs and societies to appeal to every intertest and hobby imaginable. At the Uni of Leeds, we have over 300 clubs ranging from wine tasters to surfing. Joining one or more of these groups provides a great and easy way to expand your friend network with people who share similar interests as you. I joined the hiking society when I arrived, and on top of attending organized, guided hikes across the UK, they also host weekly socials where you can go and get to know new people in a really laid back and fun environment. I joined the club with two of course mates, so not only was I am to meet new people in the club, it also brought me closer together with them, so if you are nervous about joining alone this could be a good way to break the ice with someone you want to get to know better.
 

 Attend events

Throughout the year tons of events are held both through the university and city that you can and should attend! These are things such as expert talks from visiting professors, farmers markets, or wine and beer festivals. No matter the time of year, there will always be something going on. These events are not only fantastic ways to meet people, but also gives you a chance to invite someone that you have class with or a flat mate to attend with you in order to get better acquainted.
 

Get connected

Last but not least is to make sure when you first meet someone to get their contact info. This can be as simple as adding them on Facebook or following them on Instagram, just a way that you can connect in the future. There is nothing worse then finding someone you really get on with in class or at a party and then not being able to find them again!

All in all, meeting people in Uni is a little intimidating, but not difficult. Brits are really friendly and will always be up for a trip to the pub, you just have to be willing to put yourself out there! If you are wondering how you can find your British BFF please contact one of our advisors here.

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Across the Pond - Study in the UK

Befriending Students from the UK

Written by Ambassador Haley - 19/02/2018

Moving to the UK is scary - there’s no sugar coating it, but it also gives you the opportunity to broaden your horizons and meet new people from all across the globe.
 

When I first moved here to London I knew no one at all, which is both a scary and exciting thought. I was excited to experience new things and meet new people, but knowing that I would have initially not know a single person was a bit daunting. Luckily the universities understand that and host many social events for both international and local students to ensure that we as students have many opportunities to make new friends and build up our social circle and support system.
 

I was lucky that my course was filled with about 50% international students and 50% local students; this allowed me to make friends with people that could show me around the UK and with others that could teach me about all the different cultures that exist around the world beyond London and the UK.
 

While my entire class are friends with each other, I have become especially close to some girls who are locals here and were born and raised in London. This has been amazing as they have shown me around and become my own personal tour guides. They have accompanied me to the major spots like Big Ben and Hyde Park, but they have also shown me small shops and spots that are not know well to tourists. This has been my favourite part! Don’t get me wrong I love London’s history and the monuments and spots that display this, but I love that I am slowly feeling more like a local and less like a tourist or foreigner. I love knowing about the small coffee shop off a main drag, or the little local shop that sells the most amazing hand painted pottery, and the many other places that my UK friends have shown me and that I have come to love.
 

Becoming friends with UK locals though can give you more than just a one-up on the other tourists. They have welcomed me into their home and allowed me to become part of their family. I know it’s somewhat of a cliché but there really is nothing like sharing a good home cooked meal with your friends/family. Last week my friend invited me and another girl over for dinner and then afterwards we watched a movie on her amazingly comfy couch, and while it doesn’t seem like much it was so nice to get out of the sometimes-cramped dorm room and just chill with friends.
 

Befriending classmates and other students who are locals has definitely been a highlight of my experience so far and am so happy to have me the people I did. And even though sometimes they make fun of my ‘funny’ Canadian accent, I still highly recommend befriending local UK students J
 

If you also want to befriend some local UK students, Across The Pond can help. Please contact one of our Advisors if you would like to find out more about studying in the UK.

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Why You Should Consider Studying Outside of London

Written by admin - 28/12/2017

Dec 28, 2017 3:00:00 PM

In today's post, advisor and team lead Brittni Baird gives the scoop on the advantages of studying outside of London.

London is undoubtedly a vibrant and historical city with many exciting places to explore. When international students think of studying in the UK, they can sometimes automatically think of London. Here we explore some of the top reasons why you should consider studying outside of London.
 

Lower Cost of Living

The overall cost of living is higher in London than in smaller British cities. Going out on the town, transportation and eating out is easier in smaller university cities, where everything is within a five to ten minute walk. Although London has a ton of public transportation, it involves travel costs to get around.
 

Meet the Locals

Whether you study in a smaller city or more rural area in the countryside, the locals of these places are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people in the world. Studying outside of London will give you lifelong friends with locals who can show you around their homeland and give you a real British experience.
 

Scenery

The UK’s countryside offer up some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world. With so many universities outside of London, there are so many different environments to choose from that there’s something for everyone!
 

You can always visit London

One of the greatest things about the UK is that it is very easy and convenient to travel. Whether you are in Scotland, Wales or in the English Countryside, London is always close enough for a visit. There are several affordable airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair that fly to London airports from other UK cities. If you are just outside of London there are also options to travel by train or by bus!
 

Ready to find out more? If you would like to find out more about studying in the UK, please contact one of our Advisors.

 

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Celebrating Christmas in Scotland

Written by Hailey - 26/12/2017

Christmas is largely celebrated in Canada. When November hits, we settle into the familiar pattern of holiday music, decorations, and classic Christmas movies that seem to play on every channel. If you’re worried about a shortage of festivity in the UK, fear not. Christmas is equally as popular in the UK, if not more popular.
 

Don’t believe me?

I know I’m not the only one who rolls my eyes when Christmas decorations start appearing on shelves mid-September. They seem to arrive earlier and earlier every year. I enjoy the holiday season, but I don’t want to see Santa decorations next to plastic tombstones and skeletons – unless it’s a Nightmare Before Christmas display. Scotland is no exception; when I arrived in August, most restaurants already had their holiday menus on display.

“Yes, please, I would like the turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Let me just change out of my shorts and t-shirt into something more festive.”

As I said, Christmas is extremely popular in the UK.
 

Christmas in Scotland

Over the past couple months, Aberdeen has slowly been adorned with festive lights and decorations. Wherever you travel in Aberdeen, you’ll find some semblance of the holiday season. Cafés and restaurants decorate their windows and doors with fairy lights, garlands, and wreaths. Large baubles, stars, and reindeer dress the ceilings and floors of every mall. And Aberdeen’s main square currently houses a tall Christmas tree. It lights the square and shines down Union Street, the main street in Aberdeen’s city centre.

The Christmas market is my favourite holiday activity in Aberdeen. The market is located right down the street from my job, which makes it easy to walk over and enjoy some mulled wine on my lunch breaks. Although small, the market buzzes with activity. It offers rides, booths, and other forms of festive entertainment. The rides include a large slide, carousel, and teacups (mostly for children, but adults can definitely participate). The booths promise beer, cider, snacks (mini pancakes with Nutella – yum!), and of course, mulled wine.

I enjoyed skating the most. For the *cheap* price of £6, you can rent a pair of skates and glide around the ice rink for half an hour. My friend Martyna and I hadn’t been skating in a long time, so we had a good laugh as we fumbled around in circles on the rink. Despite our lack of grace, the experience boosted our Christmas spirit – what’s not to like about skating to the beat of your favourite holiday tunes?

Christmas in Aberdeen unites the city in celebration. The streets feel familiar and comforting, especially to those of us who are foreign to the UK. Aberdeen isn’t the only Scottish city with a passion for Christmas – far from it. Glasgow and Edinburgh both have ornate Christmas markets that people travel all across the UK to visit.

Whether or not you choose to stay in the UK over the winter break, you’ll feel right at home in December with the abundance of festivity that decks every street. If you’re curious about spending the holidays in the UK, feel free to get in touch with one of our Across the Pond advisors!

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