What to Expect

Getting used to British life

When you first arrive in England everything may not be quite as you expected - some things may be better, others less so.  You are sure to miss your friends and family and it may take you a little while to adjust to your new life.  Language difficulty is usually the biggest factor but other things may combine to make you feel overwhelmed.  Try to be flexible and adaptable and keep your sense of humour at all times!

If you have any problems or are feeling unhappy, you can always talk to our friendly Counsellors or Student Services staff.  We want your time at Bellerbys to be a happy and successful one.  Read on for tips about how to readjust to your new surroundings.

Climate

The British weather is well known for being unpredictable, so visitors should come prepared!  There are four distinct seasons, although these may vary in different regions of the UK, where, for example, the mildest weather tends to be on the south coast.  November to February can be cold, and jumpers, warm coats and boots are advisable, as is a raincoat and an umbrella. The south does not see a lot of snow, whereas the north and Scotland are more likely to have heavy snow falls in winter.

Houses in the UK are usually well insulated and have heating systems, so the cold is not always very noticeable indoors. In spring and autumn there are many bright, sunny days, but the evenings can be cool.  Summertime in the UK is usually extremely pleasant, although possibly shorter and less reliable than in many other parts of the world.  Visitors to Britain between June and September would be advised to bring light clothes and footwear.  Below are the average monthly temperatures, rainfall and hours of sunlight in London and the south of England.

	Max temperature (ºC)	Min temperature (ºC)	Hours of sunlight per day	Wet days
January-March	6-10	2-3	1-4	11-15
April-June	13-20	6-12	5-7	11-12
July-September	19-22	11-14	5-6	11-13
October-December	7-14	4-8	1-3	13-15

For more information about UK weather including forecasts by location, visit the BBC Weather website.

Food and Eating

Britain used to be famous for fish and chips. Nowadays, with the influence of modern, cosmopolitan life, there are many different styles of cooking!  Each town has a variety of international restaurants and exotic food products are widely available.

The traditional English breakfast of bacon and eggs is still popular but it is now common for people to have a lighter breakfast of cereal and toast.  Lunch is generally “on-the-run” and is usually a light meal such as soup or a sandwich. Evening dinner is usually served about 18.00.

Visitors to the UK will find that there are many different customs associated with eating and that the English may have different ideas about acceptable ‘table manners’ and eating rituals.

Bellerbys College can cater for most diets, including halal and vegetarian.  For breakfast a student is able to choose from a selection of fresh fruit and juices, croissants, cold meats and cheeses, yoghurt, cereal and toast.  Hungry students can experience a full English breakfast!

Lunch and dinner varies every day.  There is always a choice of two meat dishes, one fish and one vegetarian dish.  This is served with a noodle dish, rice, potatoes and vegetables, as well as a good selection of salads, sandwiches, fruit, yoghurt and juices.  Take a look at a sample lunch menu (PDF)

Public Transport

There is a very extensive rail and coach network around the UK, as well as local bus services within towns and cities and the efficient underground network (known as “the tube”) in London.

Local bus services operate in all towns and cities.  Weekly or monthly ‘Saver Bus Tickets’ are the cheapest and most flexible form of local travel.  Prices very from approximately £5- £20 per week according to location.

There are coach services linking all major towns and cities in the UK.  Trains are normally very comfortable and faster than coaches, though more expensive.  As a student, you will qualify for a ‘Young Persons Railcard’, which gives you a large discount on standard train fares.  Ask staff in our Student Service departments for more information.

Safety and the Law

Here are a few tips on UK safety and law:

• Use only licensed taxis with official council plates on the back
• Put your litter in the bin - dropping rubbish in the street is illegal and ruins the environment
• Do try to be considerate about noise, especially at night when people are sleeping
• Don't carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and keep your money hidden away
• Don't attempt to buy alcohol if you are under 18 - it's against the law in the UK
• Be careful when sunbathing - use a high sun protection cream and don't stay out in the sun for too long
• Look both ways before you cross the road - remember that traffic travels on the left in Britain
• It's polite to form a queue for buses and services
• Drugs like cannabis and LSD are illegal - the police can stop and search you if they think you are carrying them

Money

Long term students can open an account at any bank.  All Bellerbys Colleges have links with a local national bank and the Student Services department will help you to complete the necessary forms to open an account at Induction.

It is best to exchange money or cash travellers cheques at any bank or at a large travel agency with an exchange desk.  Your school can advise which is the most convenient. It is better not to change money at a small exchange bureau, usually situated in the tourist areas of the town, because they usually charge a high commission or have a lower rate of exchange.