Impression of Britain: British life and culture

Making friends

As a British student, you not only have to take classes and do research, you also have to relax and have fun . Students enjoy discounts when participating in many cultural activities and visiting tourist attractions. No matter where you study, you will find places to enjoy yourself with friends or to entertain yourself - attend concerts, go for country walks, go to the movies, visit museums, galleries, gardens and castles, go shopping, go to cafes, play sports and going to the beach and so on. British educational institutions provide students with a large number of social opportunities, with a variety of societies and interest groups. International students from all over the world tell us that they quickly make new friends from all over the world, and making friends in the UK can help you quickly improve your English.

Activities and Celebrations

In the UK, in addition to the religious festivals and holidays marked on the calendar, there are also some traditional celebrations held every year. This includes Bonfire Night on November 5, where you can take part in organized fireworks and bonfire displays. Bonfire Night has its origins - in 1605, Guy Fawkes attempted to set fire to the British Parliament, but ultimately failed. Bonfire Night is all about celebrating the failure of this move. There is also "Burns Night", usually celebrated on January 25, which commemorates the life and works of Scottish writer Robert Burns. On this day people gather together for a "Pence Supper". In Wales you can also attend the traditional Arts Festival, which is a grand event of music, literature and performance. In addition to this national arts festival, there are many arts festivals in Wales, including the International Arts Festival and the Youth Arts Festival. The latter is the largest and most dynamic youth arts festival in Europe.

Relax and find inspiration

Studying in the UK means that outside of the classroom, you have to explore new ways to relax, find inspiration and excitement. You can explore new interests while maintaining your original interests and be your truest self. The UK has a fascinating cultural atmosphere that you can immerse yourself in no matter where you study.

The UK is definitely a great place for any type of music. Whether you listen to music or dance, you'll hear pop, rock, classical, folk, jazz, opera and other music from around the world. From small clubs, independent cafes and bars to international-level concert halls, rock festivals or jazz concerts, you can listen to a large number of live music and dance to the music around you. Many independent musicians and bands perform at university venues.

In addition to joining clubs and societies on campus or in the community, you can also visit traditional museums, contemporary art spaces and galleries, which feature collections and exhibits from around the world. Sculpture, painting, video and photography can be found everywhere in the UK. The UK also has a very active theater and performing arts heritage, which preserves elements of traditional drama and music while encouraging innovation.

For physically demanding activities, you can walk, climb, run, cycle and mountain bike in Britain's beautiful nature. The mountains of Scotland and Wales, the rolling hills of England and Northern Ireland, the moors of the Lake District and Yorkshire, and coastlines across the UK are all scattered around you. You can ask your school about local country activities.

Many educational institutions offer state-of-the-art exercise equipment, but you can also use local or private leisure centers for fitness purposes. As a UK student, you have many opportunities to take part in organized sport and charity events, such as marches and running races to raise funds. You could even try running the London Marathon.

As a student, you have many opportunities to participate in various activities to help you integrate into society, express yourself and have fun. Should you join a debating group, choir, drama group, sailing, volunteer and business groups, or sit alone and meditate? It's all up to you.

After participating in various activities, you may just want to watch a movie.

There are cinemas in almost every city and town in the UK, showing films from all over the world. British cities also host film festivals focusing on film ideas, directors, animation and more.

Religion

If you believe in a certain religion and attend services regularly, you can continue to do so after arriving in the UK. You can find information about every major religion in the world in the UK. In addition to synagogues and churches of various denominations, most cities also have Islamic, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist centers. Maintaining your religious beliefs can not only sustain your life at home and abroad, but also enable you to make friends quickly.

Whether it is a Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Jewish, Sikh or Buddhist holiday, the British celebrate it. The various religious festivals in the UK reflect the cultural characteristics of its various religious beliefs.

Food

The variety of food available in British markets reflects the impact of various ethnic food cultures on British society, with most supermarkets serving food from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America Food from America and many other places around the world. British people are increasingly eating healthier, and a large number of green foods are appearing in shops and supermarkets. You can still find the famous British breakfast of fish and chips, but Britain's dining scene has become quite diverse. British families will enjoy a traditional "Sunday roast" on Sunday, but the same family will also try new flavors, such as Italian pizza or Singapore noodles.

British people eat three meals a day: breakfast, lunch (usually very simple) and dinner (also called "dinner"). Tea is still a very popular traditional hot drink, and the British love to drink it with milk, several times a day.

As in other European countries, moderate drinking is acceptable in the UK. Pubs and wine bars are an essential part of British social life. All pubs and bars also serve non-alcoholic drinks, so you don't have to force yourself to drink while having fun there. People also gather together to drink tea and coffee, and every city and town in the UK has its own unique coffee shop.

You may receive an invitation to dine with friends while in the UK. Remember to tell them in advance what foods or drinks you may not accept for health, religious, or ethical reasons. International students tell us how happy they are to share their cooking with British people, which is also a great way to make new friends.