Adapting to British Culture

Leaving home to study in a new country is an exciting experience, but it can also be frightening. No matter how prepared you are, the unfamiliar nature of living abroad can be unnerving and unsettling. 'Culture shock' can occur with the movement to a new environment, meeting new people and being separated from family and friends. Some schools provide one-year introductory programmes to help pupils acclimatise to the country, culture and educational system.

There are four main areas which may be particularly difficult to begin with

Social Behaviour

Language

Climate

Food


Social Behaviour
The social behaviour you will experience in Britain may be very different to your own culture. Some examples include:

  • British people are often stereotyped as being cold and reserved. However, this is often not because they are being deliberately unfriendly, but because they do not wish to invade other peoples' privacy. In fact, British people can be very warm and friendly
  • British people are usually very polite, using 'please' and 'thank-you' a lot, which you may not be used to. In addition, the British have a tendency to be very self critical and apologetic. You will find that the words 'sorry' and 'excuse me' are also used frequently
  • The British often have difficulty saying what they really mean, for example refusing a request, or making a critical comment, for fear of causing offence or upset. If, in your culture, it is usual for people to be very open and direct when expressing their opinions, you may have some difficulties understanding what British people really mean. If you are in any doubt, ask
  • The British sense of humour can be very ironic and can therefore be confusing
  • The British generally have a reputation for punctuality. In both schools and in the workplace, time-keeping is important. You should always be on time for classes, clubs and meetings
  • Gender roles in the UK may be different to those in your country. Men and women in the UK are entitled to equal respect and status in all areas of life. Relationships between men and women may be more formal or less formal than you are used to, and there may also be differences in social contact and relationships between people of the same gender. This may lead to initial uncertainty about how to interpret what is appropriate behaviour

The meanings attached to mannerisms and body language can be also completely different depending on the culture you come from. Examples of this include:

  • Unlike some cultures, in the UK, nodding the head means yes and shaking the head means no
  • Maintaining eye contact in the UK is generally seen as a sign of sincerity, while in some cultures an avoidance of eye contact is seen as a mark of respect
  • In the UK, extreme physical closeness during a conversation usually makes a person feel uncomfortable
  • When you are introduced to someone for the first time it is normal and polite to shake their hand, except in large, informal groups

Picking up the unwritten rules about how a different culture works can at first seem confusing. In fact it is a fascinating process. The more contact you have with people in the UK, the more you will adapt to their customs, and the more they will understand your culture.

Language
English language help and tuition will be offered depending on the needs of each pupil. Speaking English constantly can be tiring if it is not the first language, and even those who are more used to the English language can find regional dialects difficult to understand. Don't feel embarrassed about asking people to repeat what they have said or speak a little slower.

Climate
The British climate can be very cold for some students, and the changeable nature of British weather can be confusing. Generally the coldest temperatures are in the period from November to February.

Food
British food may be cooked very differently to the way it is at home, so this can take some time to get used to. Independent schools generally provide an excellent standard of catering and a balanced diet. Most schools also cater very well for special dietary requirements.