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As a Brit, moving to the U.S. for university is a big step and one that may feel unfamiliar. While the same language may be spoken in both countries it can appear otherwise, at times. This is a land where people play soccer instead of football, eat cookies instead of biscuits and wear sweaters instead of jumpers. When it comes to adjusting to a new life in the land of opportunity, these small quirks and differences in culture can feel both bewildering and amusing.
If you are considering choosing a US University as a UK student or have already been accepted into a U.S. college, this article can help make the transition easier by outlining some key differences related to life in the U.S., helping you to settle into your new home and make the most of this exciting and enriching chapter of your life.
Food
Food tends to be a big part of every culture and America is no exception. From Tex-Mex and hamburgers to mac and cheese and fried chicken, American cuisine is well-known for its delicious and diverse dishes.
When eating out in restaurants, portion sizes will typically be noticeably bigger compared to the U.K. While it may be tempting to finish your meal, it is quite common to ask waiting staff for a takeaway box so you can enjoy your leftovers later. It is also customary to tip wait staff at most restaurants, with the exception of fast food restaurants, coffee shops or other over-the-counter food services. It is common for people in the U.S. to leave a tip of 10% to 25% of their total bill, depending on the level of service they receive.
Americanisms
As a Brit in the U.S., it is helpful to know some Americanisms or common words that Americans use instead of the English term. This can avoid any confusion and make conversations easier to understand. For example, in the U.S:
- Sidewalk means pavement
- Vacation means holiday
- Closet means wardrobe
- Gas or gasoline means petrol
- Pants mean trousers
- Apartment means flat
- Chips mean crips
- Fall means autumn
- Soda means fizzy drink
Part of the fun of studying in the U.S. can be learning about the differences in linguistics and cultural expressions, which can help immerse you more into American culture.
Alcohol
Since the legal drinking age in the UK is 18, for many students consuming alcohol is a normal part of student life. Whether it’s enjoying a pint at the local pub after lectures, socializing at the student union, or on a night out with classmates, drinking is considered a normal social activity in the UK.
However, over the pond, the legal drinking age is 21, which can mean some adjustments when it comes to the social scene. Bars and clubs are generally very strict in checking a young person’s age before serving them alcohol, so it is good to know this in advance to manage your expectations.
These differences can help make adjusting to student life in the U.S. more seamless and stress-free, allowing you to get the most out of your studies and experiences in this great land.
