GB Mag UK Edition - 2014

STUDYING IN THE UK HAS BEEN A

THRILLING EXPERIENCE

Plus:

10 THINGS TO DO IN THE FIRST WEEK

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R I N T E R N AT I O N A L S T U D E N T S

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Editor’s forward

W

elcome to the UK. As a former international student myself I understand that you’ll be feeling excited and anxious in equal measure. And this edition of GB Mag is dedicated to helping you to settle in.

Moving to a new country where everything is new takes some time to adjust to. You will have moments when the simplest things will seem overwhelmingly difficult. And this is the time, I hope, that GB Mag can be your “best British friend”.

I and the whole team at GB Mag are dedicated to helping you get to grips with British culture and find out what the UK has to offer you beyond your studies. We look forward to hearing from you via our website (www.greatbritishmag.co.uk) or one of our social media channels.

GreatBritishMag

If you have a question or simply want to say ‘hi’ then please get in touch.

GreatBritishMag

Enjoy your studies and living in the UK.

GreatBritishMag

David Swift Editor 3

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Contents

contents Student interview with Yu Yang page

28

GB Mag caught up with Yu Yang to find out the ups and downs of studying in the UK. And get her tips on what to do, what to eat and how to do well in your studies.

How to beat homesickness page

34

Tips on how to adjust to living away from your family and friends and how to beat homesickness.

10 things to do in week one page 8 10 things to do in the first week to help you settle in before you start your course.

4

Travel around the UK page

18

Read everything you need to know about train, bus and car travel. Plus info on discounts.

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Contents

Where to buy what page

16

Struggling to know where to go for your contact lenses or where to find ingredients for your favourite dish. Check out our guide on wher to shop for your essentials.

The difference between what British people say and mean page 36 Our guide to what Brits say and what they actually mean.

British cultural calendar page 6 British currency page 10 Money management page 12 Travel around the UK page 18 British slang and phrases page 22 How to make British friends page 24 Pub etiquette page 26 10 bizarre facts about the UK page 38 Cool places to visit page 40 British film and album classics page 44 The Beautiful Game explained page 46 Things you didn’t know about the Queen page 48 5

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

6

Summer Bank Holiday

26/10/2014

British Summertime (BST) Ends

DECEMBER

OCTOBER AUGUST

25/8/2014

25/12/2014

Christmas Merry Christmas!

26/12/2014

Boxing Day

31/10/2014

Halloween

31/12/2014

Hogmanay & New Year’s Eve 5/11/2014

Guy Fawkes Night

9/11/2014

Remembrance Day (Remembrance Sunday)

30/11/2014

St. Andrew’s Day

JANUARY

NOVEMBER

DIARY DATES

Diary dates

1/1/2015

New Year’s Day Have a wonderful new year!

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

MAY

14/2/2015

Valentine’s Day

May Day (Early May Bank Holiday)

Mothering Sunday (Mother’s Day)

25/5/2015

Good Friday

Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)

18/2/2015

Ash Wednesday

1/3/2015

St. David’s Day

Spring Bank Holiday

3/4/2015

JUNE

17/2/2015

MARCH

4/5/2015

15/3/2015

APRIL

FEBRUARY

Diary dates

21/6/2015

Father’s Day

5+6/4/2015

Easter Sunday & Monday

21/4/2015

Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday

13/6/2015

Trooping the Colour

16/6/2015

Royal Ascot Races

29/6/2015 17/3/2015

St. Patrick’s Day

23/4/2015

St. George’s Day

Wimbledon Tennis Championships 7

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

10 things you need to do in the first week

10 things you need to do in the first week Pay tuition fees If you haven’t already done so pay your tuition fee. You will be able to pay by card, cash and cheque. Once you have made the payment keep hold of the receipt.

Enrol Enrolment is the process of officially registering with the University, and it is compulsory that you do this during your first week.

8

Register with the police Check in your passport whether you have to register with the police. If your spouse or children entered the UK as your dependants, they may also have to register.

Register with a doctor and dentist Your university may have a doctor and dentist on campus, if not find one convenient to you and register. This way you know when you need one of these services you will be able to access them.

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

10 things you need to do in the first week

Attend welcome events Your university will host events to welcome you and help you settle in, which will probably include a tour of the campus, city or town. This will be a great way to meet other international students and get accustomed to your new environment.

Open a UK bank account Opening a UK bank account can take a long time. Gather the paperwork you will need and find out whether there is a bank on campus at your university and submit your application as soon as possible

Join student societies There will be a student society for whatever hobby you have. You are also likely to find a society for students from your country. And your university may also have a society for international students.

Sign-up for discount cards Apply for a National Union of Students discount card which you can use in shops and restaurants and a 16-25 rail card to make your travel cheaper.

Sort out a SIM for your phone You can save a lot of money on international calls by getting the right SIM. One should be attached with your copy of GB Mag if not order one for free by visiting www.giffgaff.com/freecredit 9

GreatBritishMag.co.uk British currency

British currency Coins 1p – One pence The one pence is commonly referred to as a “penny”. It has the least value and will not buy you anything on its own. An interesting fact is that whilst the one pence is legal tender you can only use 20 of them at a time.

2p – Two pence The slang for two pence is “shrapnel” because of its low value. An interesting fact is that those minted before 2006 are now worth 3p.

Also those that say ‘New Pence’ on them are now collector’s items.

5p – Five pence The five pence is silver in appearance and is commonly referred to as “five pee”. It is the smallest coin in the British currency and was introduced in 1968 to replace the ‘shilling’. Legally you can use 100 (up to the value of £5) in one purchase.

10p – Ten pence The 10 pence is commonly referred to as “ten pee”. You can make a call from a public payphone using 10p. It is silver in appearance and slightly smaller than a two pence piece.

20p – Twenty pence The 20 pence is commonly referred to as “twenty pee”. It is only one of two coins that are not circular in shape. An interesting fact is that in 2009 a batch were minted without a date. These have subsequently become collector’s items and one recently sold for £7,100.

50p – Fifty pence The 50 pence piece is commonly referred to as “fifty pee”. This was the first seven sided coin in the world and its value is half a pound sterling.

10

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

British currency

£1 – One pound The one pound is commonly referred to as a “quid”. In 1984 the bank note was replaced with a coin which is thicker than the other coins and is gold in colour.

A £1 is enough to buy you a snack such as a packet of crisps.

£2 – Two pounds Two pounds are commonly referred to as “two quid”. The coin was introduced in 1998 to coincide with the 13th Commonwealth Games and is the first and only ‘bi-metallic’ coin. £2 will get you a soft drink or a pint of beer in some places.

Notes £5 – Five pounds Five pounds are commonly referred to as a “fiver”. It is the lowest denomination note in terms of value and the smallest in size. It has a portrait of Elizabeth Fry, who worked to reform British prisons, on the back.

£10 – Ten pounds A ten pound note is commonly referred to as a “tenner” and people sometimes call them a Paul McKenna (famous hypnotist).

It is the second lowest denomination in value and the second smallest in size. Charles Darwin, the author of the famous book ‘On the Origin of Species’, is on the reverse.

£20 – Twenty pounds A twenty pound note is also known as a “score”. It has the second highest value in England and it has Adam Smith on the reverse. He was one of the founding fathers of modern economics as well as a philosopher and political economist.

£50 – Fifty pounds A fifty pound note is the highest value note in England (Scotland and Northern Ireland have a £100 note) and people sometimes refer to it as a “bullseye”.

Matthew Boulton and James Watt, who were responsible for accelerating the progress of manufacturing steam engines during the 18th and 19th centuries, are on the reverse.

11

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Contents

M

aking your money last is one of the hardest things to do as a student, that’s why having a budget and knowing where you can save money is crucial. Follow our tips to make sure you’ve got enough pennies to enjoy yourself.

12

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Money management

1

6

Setting a weekly, monthly and yearly budget is the key to making sure you have enough money set aside. There are a number of online tools including The International Student Calculator which will help you plan your budget.

Travelling around the UK is cheaper if you apply for a 16-25 Railcard. It will cost you £30 for a year and give you a third off all your train travel around the UK. If you want to explore Europe an InterRail Pass grants you free rail travel around Europe within a specified time. For great offers on flights check out Skyscanner a website that compares cheap flights.

GB Mag’s guide to the 10 British phrases you won’t find in a textbook: Set yourself a budget Travel cheaply

2

Look for student discounts

One of the best bits of being a student is that you can get discounts on most things. When you go to a shop or restaurant always ask if they offer a student discount. You can also sign up for an NUS Extra card.

This discount card is available from the National Union of Students and offers discounts for a variety of companies and only costs £12 a year.

3

Do stuff that is free

Take advantage of all the free activities around.

Britain has an abundance of parks, museums, festivals and entertainment that are all free.

Check out campus publications, magazines such as TimeOut and www.greatbritishmag.co.uk to get the best out of what Britain has to offer.

4

Learn to cook

Cooking for yourself will save you lots of money and is much healthier for you. If you are not the best cook now is the time to learn. Check out websites such as www.studentcook.co.uk for inspiration and help.

5

Don’t pay more than you have to!

Shop around for good deals on your mobile, broadband, gas, electricity and even your weekly food shopping. Many companies offer a special rate for students and there are a number of websites out there to help you find the best deal, such as www.moneysupermarket.com

7

Avoid annual gym membership

At the beginning of term it’s easy to think you are going to have the time to go to the gym a couple of days a week and you sign up for a year. But it’s an expense you can avoid by signing-up to a gym that has a month-by-moth rolling programme, such as www.thegymgroup.com.

8

Buy supermarket-branded goods

Often supermarket branded goods are much cheaper than branded goods and there is no difference in the quality. Also look out for special deals such as buy one get one free.

9

Avoid fines

One way to save money is to avoid fines and unnecessary fees. For example you cannot watch TV or record television programmes at the same time as they are being shown on TV. Anyone without a valid TV Licence risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

10

What to do in a crisis

If you find yourself in a situation where you have no money contact the Student Union as well as the international office at your university who will be able to give you advise and help you access some money.

13

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Contents

14

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Contents

For more great articles visit: www.greatbritishmag.co.uk 15

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Where to buy all your essentials

Where to buy all your essentials Food that is prepared, fruit, vegetables and all other ingredients can be purchased from Sainsbury, Asda, Tesco, Waitrose and Aldi

Glasses and contact lenses can be bought from SpecSavers, Vision Express, Boots and www.glassesdirect.co.uk

Most universities have a book shop on site. You can also get books from Waterstones, WH Smiths, e.books.com and www.amazon.co.uk

16

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Where to buy all your essentials

Clothes, shoes, bags, coats, gloves, hats and accessories can be bought from TopShop, Jack Wills, Superdry, Primark, Zara, Gap and you can often find some of these brands under one roof at John Lewis and Debenhams

Laptops, tablets, mobile phones, cameras and other tech products can be bought from PC World, Carphone Warehouse, Apple Stores, John Lewis, Debenhams and Argos

Everything you will need to furnish your bedroom, living area, kitchen and bathroom can be bought from John Lewis, Ikea, Wilkinsons, Debenhams and www.myunipack.com

Toiletries, medicines, vitamins can be bought from Boots or Superdrug.

Pens, folders, printer paper, writing pads and other stationery can be bought from WH.Smiths, Ryman and Paperchase

17

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Travel around the UK

TRAVEL AROUND THE UK We have every transport option you could want in Great Britain.

Here are a few of the options to get you from A to B conveniently, happily and safely.

TRAIN Going by train is one of the fastest routes to travel in the UK and an airport-free route to reach the rest of Europe. Express trains can take you quickly across Britain but local trains are also very useful for shorter distances.

How to buy tickets You can book tickets and check timetables online or you can go into the station directly and talk to someone at the ticket desk. National Rail covers all of the different train companies and has a website, nationalrail.co.uk, which is a great way to check routes and times of train journeys.

It’s cheaper to book train tickets online in advance and can be even cheaper if you book with your student railcard! One good discount rail website is www.thetrainline.com If you book in advance you’ll be able to reserve a seat, which makes life a lot easier. This also means you can reserve a seat near a power-point to plug in your laptop or phone charger. You can

18

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Travel around the UK

also book first class or standard class along with the time you want to travel. However, this can increase the cost of your ticket, so check out the different options before booking.

return’ or an ‘open single’. That way you can travel whatever time you want and with an open return you can make your return journey back anytime within one month of purchasing the ticket.

If you are booked on a train on a certain date or time, that means you can only travel on that date and time. If you want flexibility buy an ‘open

When on the train make sure you keep your ticket with you at all times to avoid getting fined by ticket inspectors.

THE LONDON UNDERGROUND

Your underground ticket or Oyster card allows you to travel on the underground, buses and on some trains. If you have an Oyster card remember to tap in and out on an Oyster card readers each time you travel, otherwise you could pay a penalty charge.

The Tube is the most efficient way to get around the capital city, London. And it’s simple to use once you’ve got used to the different lines, which have a name and a colour to distinguish them. To plan your journey and to find out if there are any delays log onto tfl.gov.uk You can buy a one day ticket or an Oyster card (a reusable card that allows you to recharge it with money or pay a fixed amount for unlimited travel for a week, month or a year which works out cheaper) at the underground stations, shops and some train stations.

You should register your Oyster card online because if you lose it you can claim the remaining credits or get a refund. Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester also have underground rail and tram services. You can usually buy tickets for different lengths of time and distance so check at the station or on board the tram or log onto nationalrail.co.uk for more information.

19

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Contents

TAXI Taxis or ‘cabs’ can be expensive but can also be extremely useful. Save a local taxi number on your phone or call 118 118 and they will redirect you. In the London area text ‘cab’ to 60835 and you’ll receive three mini-cab numbers.

In London you also have the choice to use a Black Cab. Black Cab drivers have to pass strict tests of their knowledge of the capital to get their job and are a very reputable company to use. You can also use a smart phone app called Hailo which uses GPS to find the closest black cab to you.

20

Your taxi fare will depend on the type of taxi you take, the time of day and whether it’s on a meter or whether it’s based on a fixed price for a destination.

If the yellow TAXI sign at the front is illuminated, the cab is available for hire. Black cabs are legally obliged to take on any job for journeys up to 12 miles.

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Contents

BUS Different bus companies operate around the UK. Buses are a great way to get around cheaply within a city, whether you’re travelling around your local area or travelling a little further afield. Generally a bus journey will run on a set route and have multiple stops. If you want a direct line of transport between cities or even countries then you need to travel by coach.

you to the whole of Europe. Again, book in advance to get super cheap tickets. Well known companies include: • National Express • Megabus • EasyBus • Scottish Citylink

Coaches are one of the cheapest ways for long distance travel in Britain and can even connect

Head to greatbritishmag.co.uk for more info on how to get discounts on your travel

MORE ONLIN E 21

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Britain’s most common slang words

A countdown of

Britain’s MOST COMMON

Slang

words and phrases

WHEN you touch down in the UK, it won’t just be the different foods and new experiences that seem strange at first, the way British people speak will seem peculiar too.

That’s because people will be talking in accents you’ve never heard and using slang and colloquialisms.

Don’t fret though, to help we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common slang words and phrases that you’ll hear in Britain, which could save you a lot of ‘aggro’ in the long term.

Check for new words in our ‘Slang of the Day’ section on the Great British Mag homepage.

www.greatbritishmag.co.uk

22

MORE ONLIN E

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Britain’s most common slang words

GB Mag’s guide to the 10 British phrases you won’t find in a textbook:

1

The offie

This is slang for an ‘off-licence’, a convenience store that’s licenced to sell alcohol.

6

Aggro

Abbreviation of aggravated, or a term for trouble.

Example: “I’m just going to the offie to buy some beers.”

Example: “She’s getting aggro from the lecturer because she hasn’t handed her essay in.”

2

7

Okie dokie

Quid

A variant of okay.

One pound sterling.

Example: Person A: “I’m going to my room to study.” Person B: “Okie dokie.”

Example: “I bought some noodles for dinner, they only cost me a quid.”

3

8

Skint

Bang out of order

A phrase that means to have no money.

An expression meaning very unfair or rude.

Example: “I can’t come to watch that film tonight because I’m skint.”

Example: “I can’t believe you used all of my milk without asking, that’s bang out of order!”

4

Blinder

Usually referring to a sporting achievement, a blinder means someone has performed really well.

Example: “He’s played a blinder; he scored five goals this afternoon.”

5

Snog

To kiss someone passionately for an extended period of time.

Example: “I saw her snog him in the nightclub.”

9

You’re having a laugh

Another way to say ‘you must be joking.’

Example: “A chocolate bar for £5!

You’re having a laugh.”

10 Hammered To be very drunk.

Example: “I have the worst hangover ever, I was absolutely hammered last night.”

23

GreatBritishMag.co.uk How to make British friends

How to make British friends While it’s natural to feel more comfortable with people who speak your language and understand your cultural background, you’ve come a long way to only hang out with people from your own country.

Making British friends may be easier than you think, and you’re almost certain to get more out of your time in the UK if you buddy up with some Brits.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

OFFER FRIENDSHIP Try not to worry if you’re feeling a bit lost and homesick, many of the British students will be feeling like this too. Don’t be afraid to offer friendship, it can help make both of you feel at ease.

here, even for a girl on her own. If you stay in hostels like those run by the Youth Hostel Association you will meet friendly people more easily than you would in a hotel.

JOIN A CLUB OR SOCIETY

There is a charity called HOST which places international students with British families for a weekend or during longer public holidays, such as Easter and Christmas. Your university may also run a similar initiative.

Joining a society or a club is a great way to meet people who have the same interests and give you something else to focus on apart from your studies.

TRAVEL There is a lot more to Britain than you will see on the journey between your accommodation and the classroom. So long as you are sensible, travel is safe 24

STAY WITH A BRITISH FAMILY

Another way to learn British culture, improve your language skills and make British friends is to live with a British family for the academic year.

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Contents

25

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Pub etiquette

26

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Pub etiquette

Pub culture is an integral part of British life, especially student life.

They are a place to go to socialise, relax and have a drink!

However there are certain ‘social rules’ attached to pub culture.

To help you out we have listed a few you should familiarise yourself with.

Crisps Crisps are the perfect companion to a pint and should always be shared. The way to serve is to rip the bag open so the crisps are piled on the torn foil. The largest crisp is left for the person who bought the bag.

is holding your money in your hand, so that it is visible to the person behind the bar.

What you should order If you’re not a drinker or are the designated driver then you can easily order a soft drink! If you

Rounds If you are with a group of friends and you are drinking then ‘getting your round’ is an essential part of pub culture.

If there’s a large group of you sitting at a table it is customary for two people to go up and get the drinks.

If there’s a designated driver, they normally get their drinks paid for, as they don’t get to drink alcohol or at least not as much as everyone else. And the golden rule is don’t leave the pub when it’s your round!

Ordering A pub is unlike a restaurant in that you have to go up to the bar to place your order. The signal to show that you are ready to order

Last orders Last orders are usually around 11.00pm or 10.30pm on a Sunday. A bell is rung to signal that it’s time to place your last orders at the bar. It’s then rung again to signal the bar is closing.

No more orders can be placed after the second bell.

Tipping You don’t normally tip bar staff in an English pub. If you want to show your thanks you can offer to buy them a drink, they can then choose to accept the drink or take the value of the drink in the form of a tip.

Starting a conversation are a drinker then the usual order at a pub consists of lager or ale.

A request for lager, ale or bitter will usually get you a whole pint unless you specify you want half! It’s unlikely pubs will be able to serve you fancy cocktails, this is something that you would normally get in a bar.

It’s quite normal to strike up a conversation with strangers in a pub, you could start off the conversation by mentioning the weather, football score or your beer etc. It’s also quite common for somebody to buy you a drink, but remember to return the gesture!

27

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Contents

28

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Student interview

My experience of studying in the UK GB Mag caught up with Yu Yang, who has been in the UK for two years and is originally from China, over some Fish and Chips to ask her what it’s like to be an international student.

The interview is arranged for 12noon sharp, which is what Yu considers to be lunchtime (unlike most Brits who eat lunch much later), at one of the most famous fish and chip shops in London - the Golden Hide.

Yu arrives and we sit down to order our meal. To my surprise Yu orders the full works. Fish, chips, mushy peas, pickled gerkin and a cup of tea. I’m impressed that she likes mushy peas as most non-Brits hate them.

A student at King’s College, London she is studying for an MA in Digital Culture and Society and before that she was at the University of Nottingham’s Ningbo campus in China.

She comments doing her undergraduate course with a British university, albeit in China, helped a lot when she arrived as she understood some nuances of British culture

and what to expect in her academic life. But she confesses she did go through ‘culture shock’ and it took her a couple of months to adjust to living in the UK. She recalls her first bus journey shattering some of her stereotypes of the UK and British people. With a smile on her face she explains: “The bus was late and when it arrived people didn’t form an orderly queue to get on the bus. I remember thinking isn’t this the country where people love to queue?

29

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Student interview

“And once on the bus I got the full force of the British friendliness as a passenger took great interest in where I was from and what I was studying. He even went as far as to welcome me to the UK and referred to me as his ‘darling’. Now I was totally confused as I was told to expect British people to be very formal and not very talkative.

“

“

30

My first bus journey taught me a lot about British culture and that being called ‘darling’ by strangers is completely normal!

I’ve watched a lot of British TV programmes to improve my English… and now I understand colloquialisms and even some slang.

Getting used to living in the UK is something that you have to work at as Yu puts it. She tells me about being home sick for the first few weeks and that she was constantly on Wechat talking to her friends and family back home. “I couldn’t cook anything and I found that made my homesickness worse, so I video called my mum and she literally talked me through each stage of cooking some of my favourite dishes.

“She’d say now put in this much oil, this much garlic…..it was as if she was right beside me and that really helped.”

But Yu’s advice is to start making new friends, get involved in university life, explore your city and visit other parts of the UK. “I forced myself initially to socialise with my classmates and housemates.

But you realise everyone is missing home and trying to settle in so you can all go on that journey together.”

I ask Yu how she has improved her English speaking skills and she confesses that she makes a point of striking up a conversation whether she is popping out for a pint of milk or whether she is with her classmates so that she speaks English every day but in a relaxed, informal way. “I found that my pronunciation improved and I learnt more words and even picked up some colloquialisms.”

Her other tip is to watch British TV, including the news programmes, sitcoms and dramas. She adds this also helps you learn about British culture and what’s happening in the UK. Another area she has had to work on is how to do well in her studies. “In Chinese universities you don’t do much group work with your classmates and you don’t necessarily challenge your professors or ask them a lot of questions. All of which you do in the UK. My top tip to any international student is that professors and teachers in the UK like students that ask lots of questions.

So don’t be afraid to raise your hand in class if there is anything you do not understand or want to know more about.

What I particularly like is that the teachers on my course have an ‘open door policy’ which means you can pop by or email them whenever you need to discuss something with them, especially if you are struggling with any aspect of your studies.

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Student interview

“

“

Here you get to call your professors by their first name and they seem to like it when you ask them lots of difficult questions.

Clubbing would so much better if you could order food.

It’s great that you can call them by their first name and that they’ll offer you a cup of tea when you meet with them! I particularly relish the fact that they want you to be very independent in your studies, which is something that I initially found difficult so what has helped me is to find a ‘study buddy’ so you can discuss the project and help each other out.”

After studying so hard I wonder how Yu relaxes and what she thinks about the social scene at university. “Well I rarely go to the student bar as it’s something I haven’t got my head around because in China universities don’t allow alcohol to be consumed on campus and there isn’t much of a drinking culture.

“However, I do think it’s important to go out with your classmates and I have to confess we end up in a pub frequently. But you can just order something non-alcoholic”.

The other big difference Yu has noticed is that on a ‘night out’ people do not really factor in a meal. “They go to a pub and then a club and might buy some chips on their way home. But in China you can even get food in clubs.”

Sensing Yu loves her food I go in with the killer questions about whether she likes British food. And her answer is “Yes” and unsurprisingly her favourite savoury dish is fish and chips (which she has finished, including her mushy peas).

She also tells me how much she loves scones. And explains she didn’t know what scones were before she went out for afternoon tea with a friend and was served the pastry delights with fresh cream and jam.

She googled them immediately and learnt they were a real British tea time treat.

She tells me she is in love with scones so much that she recently ate four in one sitting. “I spent a weekend with a lovely British family, through the charity HOST, which pairs international students up with British families.

The mum had made scones and I just couldn’t help myself they were so delicious!”

Yu confesses that’s probably why she hasn’t been clubbing much. “The clubs generally open at 11.30pm and you can only buy drinks. When I first arrived I tried it out with my friends but by midnight all I want to do is have some food and chill out.

I couldn’t dance until 3am on an empty stomach.”

31

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Contents

32

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Contents

For more great articles visit: www.greatbritishmag.co.uk 33

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Contents

10

ways to beat homesickness Moving to a new country can be challenging, especially if this is your first time away from home!

Missing home is completely normal and something you shouldn’t feel embarrassed about.

34

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

10 ways to beat homesickness

1

Making friends is one of the best ways to combat homesickness, it will give you people to talk to and have fun with. Social events are a great place to meet people, so make sure you attend!

2

3 4 5

Do keep in regular contact with the people at home, but it’s a good idea to keep your calls limited to once or twice a week, because too much contact can make you feel more homesick.

Get involved in university life! Throw yourself into your studies but also join lots of societies and groups, they’ll keep you nice and busy so you’ll soon forget feeling blue.

Exercise! Whether it’s running on a treadmill or attending a yoga class, exercise releases endorphins which are hormones that make you feel happy and smiley!

Make sure you eat well. Pack your diet with lots of lovely fruits and veg, so you’re energised and ready to face the day.

6

7 8

9

Keep a diary (journal) and fill it with photos of your time here in the UK, you can then show it to your family when you see them again to give them a better understanding of your life here.

Try not to spend too much time by yourself! Even going to a busy public place like a coffee shop, a library or a park can make you feel a lot more relaxed and positive.

Speak to other international/EU students, as it’s likely they’re in the same position as you. But at the same time, remember to make friends with home students because they can help you settle into your new environment.

Help is available at most universities.

We recommend you head to your Student Services department if you need more advice.

10

Finally, keep checking our Facebook Page at facebook.com/GreatBritishBag as we’re always updating it with info on where to go and what to see. It’s also a great place to meet other international students!

35

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

What Brit’s say… and what they mean

What Brit’s say… and what they mean!

GB Mag’s crack team interprets the real meaning behind what Brits actually say.

What the British say I hear what you say With the greatest respect…

>

That’s not bad That is a very brave proposal

>

Quite good I would suggest…

>

Oh, by the way I was a bit disappointed that…

>

Very interesting I’ll bear that in mind

>

I’m sure it’s my fault You must come to dinner

>

I almost agree I only have a few minor comments Could we consider some other options 36

>

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

What Brit’s say… and what they mean

What the British mean

What others understand

I disagree and don’t want to discuss it further

He accepts my point of view

>

That’s good You are insane

That’s poor

>

A bit disappointing Do it or be prepared to justify yourself

> >

That is clearly nonsense I’ve forgotten it already

>

I don’t like your idea

That is not very important It doesn’t really matter

They will probably do it Why do they think it was their fault?

>

I don’t agree at all Please re-write completely

Think about the idea, but do what you like

They are impressed

It’s your fault It’s not an invitation, I’m just being polite

He thinks I have courage Quite good

The primary purpose of our discussion is…

I am annoyed that

He is listening to me

I will get an invitation soon Courtesy of The Telegraph

I think you are an idiot

He’s not far from agreement

>

He has found a few typos They have not yet decided 37

GreatBritishMag.co.uk 10 Bizarre facts about Britain

10 B

i zarre

facts about

rit ain

b

You’ll soon gather the UK is a weird yet wonderful place and just to demonstrate how quirky we Brits really are Paul F Cockburn has listed some odd facts about the UK, like did you know it’s still legal to kill a Scotsman within the ancient walls of York? That said; it’s only legal if he’s carrying a bow and arrow, oh and it’s a Sunday!

Big Ben isn’t a clock!

Mr and Mrs Smith

Contrary to popular belief Big Ben isn’t actually a clock! Big Ben refers to the bell in the tower, and the tower itself is called St. Stephen’s Tower.

‘Smith’ remains the most common surname in the UK, and about one in 16 of them are called, with great originality, ‘John Smith’.

Braveheart in York!

War with Russia!

It’s still legal to kill a Scotsman within the ancient city walls of York, but only if he’s carrying a bow and arrow – and it’s not a Sunday.

The border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed has flipped between being officially in England or Scotland so often that it was frequently referred to as a separate entity in State documents. So, at the start of the Crimean War in 1854, the British Government declared war on Russia on behalf of Britain, Ireland, Berwick-upon-Tweed and all British Dominions. However, the eventual peace treaty later signed in Paris didn’t include Berwick-upon- Tweed, meaning it was still at war with Russia! People were eventually able to sleep peacefully in their beds after a Soviet representative declared peace while officially visiting the town in 1966.

Tech savvy!

The UK has several areas of computing, IT and new media companies in the style of ‘Silicon Valley’ in North California. These have been called ‘Silicon Glen’ (Central Scotland), ‘Silicon Fen’ (Cambridge) and ‘Silicon Beach’ (Brighton) – aren’t we Brits original!

38

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

10 Bizarre facts about Britain

She sells seashells by the seashore!

It doesn’t matter where you’re standing in mainland Britain; you’ll never be more than 75 miles from the sea. If you fancy a walk along the beach, you have (according to Ordnance Survey) a choice of some 11,073 miles (17,820 km) of coastline to pick from.

From your Valentine It’s believed Queen Victoria loved Valentine’s Day cards! She was so fond of them that during her reign she sent out almost 2,500 cards. We wonder who the lucky guys were!

BRUM! BRUM!

Golden oldies!

Many of the most popular TV shows in Britain today were actually first broadcast in the 1960s and 1970s: Coronation Street (1960), Doctor Who (1963), Match of the Day (1964), and Emmerdale (1972), to name just four.

By invitation only!

Despite being the person in charge of the UK, and many other countries in the past, the Queen is not actually allowed to enter the House of Commons because she’s not a member! The only time she can enter is when she’s been given an official invitation by members of the House of Commons.

There are 30 towns around the world (and one crater on the Moon) named after the UK’s second biggest city, Birmingham.

39

40

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Places to visit in the UK

41

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Places to visit in the UK

Above: Minack Theatre, Porthcurno Right: Portmerion village, Gwynedd

1

MINACK THEATRE, PORTHCURNO, ENGLAND

Whether you love opera or not the spectacular views looking over the Atlantic sea at the Minack Theatre, which is the only cliffside open-air theatre in Britain, cannot be missed.

The theatre can be reached by bus from Penzance.

Performances run from May until September. The theatre can also be visited during the day from April until September.

For more information visit www.minack.com

2

THE LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN, CORNWALL, ENGLAND

These gardens became overgrown and forgotten after the men that looked after them went to fight in World War One. They were rediscovered and have been restored. There are 200 acres of land that include a Victorian kitchen garden, Jungle garden and Woodland where you will find the sculptures of giant heads and bodies that have been carved out of trees and foliage.

For more information visit www.heligan.com

3

BEACHY HEAD, EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND

Beachy Head is the highest chalk sea cliff in the UK and the cliff face is pure white. This is a perfect day out for spectacular views and activities such as cycling and hiking. You can also visit the legendary lighthouse or enjoy a chilled beer at the Beachy Head pub.

For more information visit www.visiteastbourne.com

4

PORTMERION VILLAGE, GWYNEDD, WALES

Designed in 1925, by Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmerrion is one of the most unique villages in the UK. and looks more Italian than British. It also rose to fame as the beautiful backdrop for 1970’s hit TV show ‘The Prisoner’.

For more information visit www.portmeirion-village.com

5

HAY-ON-WYE, POWYS, WALES

If you love books you should definitely go to Hay-on-Wye. It has an annual Literary Festival that attracts some of the world’s most popular writers and authors. The countryside is also stunning and ideal for hiking.

For more information visit www.hay-on-wye.co.uk

42

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Places to visit in the UK

Below: The Lost Gardens of Heligan Right: Giant’s Causeway

6

BEN NEVIS, SCOTLAND

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles and snow can be found here all year round. If you are into climbing, skiing or snowboarding this is the place to head to. It’s also a place of outstanding natural beauty so a great place to go if you want to relax and enjoy nature.

For more information visit www.visitscotland.com

7

ACHMELVICH BEACH, SUTHERLAND, SCOTLAND

If you want a beach with pure white sand that is so remote it can only be reached by a single track road, then head to Achmelvish beach, which is in the Highland region of Scotland.

For more information visit www.visitscotland.com

8

NEOLITHIC SITE, ORKNEY, SCOTLAND

9

GIANT’S CAUSEWAY, NORTHERN IRELAND

The large columns, of all sizes, that rise from the sea to form stepping stones are the natural phenomena of a volcanic eruption. The Giant’s Causeway, which has 40,000 interlocking columns, is a World Heritage Site.

For more information visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway

10

TRESCO ABBEY GARDENS, ISLES OF SCILLY

If you want to go somewhere warm and exotic without a passport, then head to the Isles of Scilly by air or boat. Isle of Scilly is off the coast of Cornwall and is made up of five inhabited islands, including Tesco. The island is home to the world famous Tresco Abbey Gardens, which thanks to the subtropical climate has over 20,000 plants.

For more information visit www.visitislesofscilly.com

The Neolithic site at Orkney dates back 5,000 years and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is believed to be the best preserved Stone Age site in Western Europe. A visit here will give you an insight into the skills, society and spiritual beliefs of Stone Age people.

For more information visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk 43

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Best British films and albums

Best British films of the...

2000’s

1990’s

1980’s

1970’s

1960’s

1950’s

by Richard Jinman and Rob Stares

44

Dracula (1958) Eek! Watch this vampire classic with your hands in front of your face. Made

by Hammer (the British production company synonymous with scary flicks) it stars Christopher Lee as the blood sucking Count. Peter Cushing plays Dracula’s nemesis Doctor Van Helsing.

Kes (1969) Kes was the second movie by the great British director Ken Loach. It’s an incredibly realistic, rather bleak story, about a 15-year old boy who finds an escape from life’s hardships by training a kestel (a kind of hawk).

Warning: it’s hard to watch Kes without shedding a few tears.

Don’t Look Now (1973) This English supernatural thriller directed by Nick Roeg is often voted the best British film of all time. It stars Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie as a couple who travel to Venice after the death of their young daughter. The film is spooky, but beautiful too: a masterpiece.

Withnail and I (1987) We love this film! A brilliant black comedy about two struggling actors living squalid lives in London, it made a star out of Richard E Grant. Some people can quote every line from Withnail and I and it’s as funny today as it was in 1987.

Trainspotting (1996) What a film, what a soundtrack! Directed by Danny “2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony” Boyle, this tale of Edinburgh drug addicts made a star of Ewan McGregor. Who can forget the sight of McGregor’s character Mark Renton sprinting down the street to the sound of Iggy Pop’s Lust for Life?

Slumdog Millionaire (2008) Yes, it’s another film by Danny Boyle. His story about a young Indian blitzing a television quiz won eight Oscars including Best Director and Best Picture.

Best scene: Jamal chasing Latika. Worst scene: the young Jamal diving into the open latrine (it was chocolate apparently).

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Best British films and albums

2000’s

1990’s

1980’s

1970’s

1960’s

1950’s

Best British albums of the...

The Tommy Steele Story (1957) Britain’s first teen idol and rock and roll star owed a debt to Elvis Presley, but he was the first UK artist to reach number one in the British album charts with The Tommy Steele Story.

Sgt.Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) Sgt. Pepper’s… is widely regarded as the greatest album of all time.

From the iconic album cover through to the lavish, innovative music created by The Beatles and producer George Martin, it changed music forever.

Led Zeppelin IV (1971) Led Zep’s IV is the absolute pinnacle of hard rock. From the eight minute odyssey Stairway to Heaven, to rock classics such as Black Dog and Rock and Roll, the album went on to sell more than 30 million copies.

The Stone Roses (1989) Responsible for re-inventing British rock music and paving the way for the ‘Britpop’ of Oasis and Blur in the 90’s, The influence of The Stone Roses’ self-titled album can still be felt in British music today.

Music For The Jilted Generation (1994) The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim’s big beat dominated the airwaves in the nineties. Music… was a loud, rebellious protest against the British police who regularly shut down popular rave nights.

Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006) This album by Arctic Monkeys is the fastest selling debut album in British history. It’s easy to see why. Big, catchy indie anthems are coupled with lyrics that perfectly describe what it’s like growing up in modern Britain.

45

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Contents

The beautiful game explained Football, the beautiful game, is played by over 265 million people in the world. And in Britain it’s by far the most popular sport, so we decided to delve into its history to understand why it’s such a huge part of our culture.

Did you know?

• Numbers were worn on the back of football shirts for the first time on August 25 1928 • The first floodlit game was played in 1878 • A white football was first used for official league games in 1951 • The penalty kick was first introduced in 1891 • And finally, Bert Trautmen entered football folklore in the 1956 FA Cup Final after playing the last 17 minutes of the match with a broken neck

46

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Football explained

The game is thought to have started back in the 1100s on the streets of London, when workers would take a break by playing an early form of football. The first rules were written up at Cambridge University, appropriately called the ‘Cambridge Rules’ in 1848. The schools of Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Winchester and Shrewsbury followed the rules and many of them still exist in today’s game.

A lot of these university/college teams quickly turned into real clubs and in 1857 Sheffield Football Club (the world’s oldest club) was formed. Football started to grow in popularity and shortly afterwards in 1872 the England national team’s 4-2 win over Scotland at the Oval, in London, became the first ever recognised game in international football.

In 1885 it was decided the game would be made professional to get away from being just a university sport and that’s how the Football Association, more commonly known as the FA, started.

in the Premier League. The teams are even rewarded by playing in the National Final at Sheffield United Football Club.

Does the offside rule confuse you?

The offside rule dates back to the beginning of football. It’s very complicated, but in short states that a player is not allowed to receive the ball in the opponent’s half unless there are at least two opposition players closer to the opponent’s goal line than he is.

The player will only be declared offside if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his own team, the referee believes the player is interfering with the play or seeking to gain an advantage by being in that position.

Preston North End won the first ever Football League title in 1889.

The love of football in universities has never stopped and it’s played at a high level at 153 universities all over the UK. And even though the game isn’t professional, the standard is high with teams providing all the high paced, physical action you may see

IT BAFFLED US TOO! So here’s a visual explanation of one of the most famous rules in football.

47

GreatBritishMag.co.uk Contents

48

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Contents

For more great articles visit: www.greatbritishmag.co.uk 49

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Ten quirky facts about the Queen

Ten

Quirky

facts about the

Queen 1

A Welsh gold wedding ring and Australian cake

When the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh got married on 20 November 1947, the Queen’s wedding ring was produced using a nugget of Welsh gold found at Clogau St. David’s mine near Dolgellau. Her official wedding cake was made by McVitie and Price Ltd., using ingredients provided by the Australian girl guides.

2

23 ships and counting

The Queen has launched 23 ships in her lifetime, including 21 during her reign. As Queen, she christened the new Cunard superliner as the Queen Elizabeth 2.

3

The Queen breeds more than corgis

As well as breeding corgis, one of 29 dogs considered vulnerable to extinction, the Queen also breeds labradors and cocker spaniels at her Sandringham Estate. What’s more, internet searches for endangered species like the Cardigan Welsh corgi increased by 59% after the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.

50

GreatBritishMag.co.uk

Ten quirky facts about the Queen

4

Whose side is the Queen on?

After long remaining tight-lipped about her favourite football team, the Queen revealed in 2009 that she is actually a West Ham United fan.

She had always wanted to seem neutral but her admiration for the club dates back to the 1960s and 1970s when the late Ron Greenwood was in charge of the club.

The Queen has also shown her love for Arsenal after meeting the team and their manager, Arsene Wenger, during a private function at Buckingham Palace. She was particularly impressed with Cesc Fabregas and chatted to him about King Juan Carlos of Spain.

5

Over the limit?

According to the Queen’s cousin, Margaret Rhodes, the Queen drinks a gin and Dubonnet before lunch, with plenty of ice and a slice of lemon. Following this, she has wine with lunch as well as a dry Martini and a glass of champagne in the evening. This amounts to six units per day which makes her a binge drinker according to current UK government standards.

6

Les Miserables

In 2004, cast members from Les Miserables, such as Joanna Ampil who played the role of Fantine, were invited to Windsor Castle to perform for the Queen and French President Jacques Chirac.

This was the first time that the cast of a West End musical had performed at a Royal residence.

7

“Why does he have to shout?”

Former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, might have been a hit with many women but not the Queen. During an official photo call at the end of the 2009 G20 summit, the Queen was unhappy with Berlusconi screaming, “Mr Obama” towards the President of the United States. “What is it?”

She exclaimed, “Why does he have to shout?”

8

In deep doo doo

Don’t mess with the Queen’s corgis. A royal footman who poured whisky into the corgis’ water bowl as a party trick was demoted and had his salary cut.

9

The Queen prefers New Zealand eggs for breakfast

This isn’t an order that the Buckingham Palace chefs have to obey, but it refers to an incident in 1986 when, during a walkabout in New Zealand, the Queen had eggs thrown at her. Instead of being furious, she showed her humorous side and was quoted as saying that she prefers New Zealand eggs for breakfast.

10

The Queen has opened Parliament every year, except for two

Just like clockwork, the Queen has opened the proceedings for Parliament every year except for 1959 and 1963. This was when she was expecting Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

51

Discover a better way to do mobile here in the UK Get £5 FREE credit when you join Woohoo.

To get your £5 FREE credit go to giffgaff.com/freecredit Enter the code ggSIM52 to order a SIM. Nice one.

Terms apply