Climate
The UK climate is often described as “mild temperate”. However, due to Britain’s geographical position as an island on the edge of the Atlantic in North West Europe, the country is susceptible to quickly changing and dramatically variable weather conditions. It’s not unusual for a country to be capable of experiencing wind, rain, sun, fog, ice, and snow, but what makes the UK unusual is the fact that it is possible to experience all of these weather features during the same day. However, despite this caveat the seasonal changes are clearly defined.
The secret of surviving the British climate is to always expect the unexpected. Different layers of clothing often allow people to remain comfortable and to adapt to the ever changing conditions. The British do feel at ease talking about the weather and sometimes appear to be a nation of amateur meteorologists, so it is always a safe topic of conversation with a stranger!
Winter
Relatively mild temperatures with gusty wind and rain are probably more common than cold and clear spells at sub zero temperatures. Snow, except on high ground is relatively uncommon.
Spring
In a word “changeable”, so please expect the lot! April showers can be the order of the day, but rain is usually of the showery type. Manchester’s nickname is “the rainy city”. The annual Easter break always provides a dilemma for the UK holidaymaker, with the biggest difficulty being how to predict whether it will be pleasant enough to spend time outdoors.
Summer
Summers can be warm and hot, especially inland, but the exposed coastal regions can be kept cool by seaboard wind and breezes. It is still wise to remember that the month of July has rather a large average rainfall, despite its nominal membership of the summer months. Periods when temperatures rise above 27 degrees centigrade are likely to qualify as a “heat wave” in the UK. It is still wise to remember that the harmful effects of unprotected exposure to the sun are just as much a risk in Britain as anywhere else.
Autumn
Leaves fall in this season and are often spurred along by wet and windy weather; with cold sub zero snaps being less common. Again, like spring, this is a season when the weather is in transition, so be ready for all eventualities!
NB – There can be marked differences in weather, especially air temperature, depending upon where in the UK you may find yourself. Scotland and the North can often be 5 to even 10 degrees centigrade colder than London and the South East. Similarly, rainfall can be markedly greater in Scotland and the northern English counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Northumberland. Carrying a light waterproof jacket is always sensible when walking in the hills, lakes, mountains or countryside or playing sport outdoors.
Meals
Breakfast
Breakfast eating habits will vary greatly from family to family, person to person and even from day to day. Traditionally, the English breakfast was a rather big meal compared to most southern European or Mediterranean countries. Cornflakes, eggs, bacon, sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms and toast with butter, jam and marmalade washed down with cups of tea and coffee are what we normally think of.
However, as with many things, eating habits are changing now in the UK with an increased focus on the wisdom of a healthy and balanced diet and this is coupled with the pressures of time. Most people don’t eat a “full English Breakfast” anymore, or certainly not every day, preferring instead to have just cereals, fruit, yoghurt and fruit juice with maybe a slice of toasted wholemeal bread and low fat margarine.
Lunch (known as “Dinner” in Northern England)
In Britain, to fit in with the pattern of the 9 to 5 working day, this meal is usually taken quickly and whilst on the move. Most UK workers will just eat a sandwich from 12.00 to 14.00, and some office workers eat at their desks, with the whole break rarely lasting longer than 45 minutes. Many others simply bring in food from home, a Packed Lunch or the remains of last night’s Dinner! You would expect to spend around £3.50 to £5.00 on a lunchtime sandwich in the UK.
Dinner (known as “Tea” in Northern England)
This is usually the biggest and most important meal of the day for the British. However, it can still be relatively informal. The main difference between UK dining habits and those in mainland Europe is that dinner often happens relatively early in the UK. It is not uncommon for families to eat between 17.00 and 18.30, with cinema and theatre performances and other evening social activities starting at 19.30.
Currency / Exchange / Other differences
The pound Sterling (£) in the UK is the official currency of the UK and is fairly unique now in Europe, with even neighbouring Ireland using the Euro as the main currency. In Britain we drive on the left, we are an island and arguably enjoy closer relations with the USA than the European Union.
Bank account
All students are required to set up a Current Account with a local bank. A student Current Account, called the “Passport Account” with the popular High Street bank, HSBC, is currently the easiest for a foreign student to open, requiring only your passport or national Identity Card. This will then give you a cash withdrawal card and PIN (Personal Identity Number) with which to draw out cash bank charge free, at any ATM which is part of its vast national network. Accounts providing credit or debit card facilities, with or without cheque books, require greater levels of documentary ID Verification and proof of the provision of regular funds.
Opening Hours
It is typical in the UK for the working day to be from 9:00am to 5:00pm. However, most major retailers and supermarket chains have longer opening hours and some supermarkets are open 24 hours a day. Most leisure facilities have similar opening hours.