Country Quick Facts
UnitedKingdom
Country Quick Facts
Official name:United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Population:63,742,977
Capital:London
Prominent Language:English
Type of Government:Constitutional monarchy
Time Zone:6hours ahead of CST
Location: Western Europe, islands between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea northwest of France, includes the northern part of the island of Ireland
Food/Meals
Breakfast is typically 7-9 am, lunch/dinner is at 12-1:30 pm, and supper/dinner is at 5:30-8 pm. Traditionally, there has been a tea break around 4 pm. A traditional English breakfast consists of toast, eggs, beans, mushrooms, bacon, sausage, and a tomato. The main meal on Sundays is typically a “Roast Dinner” of roast, Yorkshire pudding, and vegetables.
Good to Know
They use the 24 hour clock, for example 4 p.m. is 16:00. When crossing a street look right then left since they drive on the left side of the road. Ask for “tap water” at restaurants to get free, non-bottled water.
Cultural tidbits
British people are a bit more reserved than Americans. They value privacy and punctuality. Greetings consist of a more formal handshake. Football (soccer) is very popular. The countries within the United Kingdom have strong national pride and have distinct cultural and language differences.
Additional Resources
Climate
The UK has a temperate, mostly cloudy climate.
Holidays
New Year’s Day, January 1; Valentine’s Day, February 14; St. Patrick’s Day, March 17; Shrove Tuesday (“Pancake Day”), March/April; Mothering Sunday, March/April; Easter, March/April; May Day, May 1; Trooping the Color, June; Halloween, October 31; Bonfire Night, November 5; Remembrance Day, November 11; Christmas, December 25; Boxing Day, December 26
Communication
Emergency #: 999
Cell phone companies: Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile, Orange, Three
To call to the US from UK, dial “001” then the US # including the area code.
Transportation
Buses are convenient and relatively inexpensive. Taxis are also available, but they are generally more expensive. Walking is also a common way to get around in the city center. The subway in London is called the Underground or Tube.
US Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square
London W1A 2LQ
Phone: 170-3543-9334
Web: london.usembassy.gov
Vocabulary
“Are you alright?” or “Alright?” – a greeting like “What’s up?” or “How are you?”
Quid- slang for pound sterling, as in “10 pounds” or “10 quid”
Films
Some good films to check out are Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (2011), The Lady Vanishes (1938), The King’s Speech (2010), andFour Weddings and a Funeral (1994). Or you can check out this list of films at
Music
The UK is home to a variety of music genres including pop, rock, punk, indie, and techno. Some artists to check out are The Beatles, Adele, The Who, Amy Winehouse, Elton John, The Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead, Oasis, and Franz Ferdinand.
Advice from former students
“Make sure to take a pair of rainboots!”
“Be ready to talk a lot about the US, your home, they love our accents.”
Electricity
220-230 volts (110-120 in USA)
Common plug shape
Clothing
Shorts are not commonly worn. Sweatpants/workout clothes are not worn outside of the gym. Wear tasteful clothing when going to class or out and about, no pajamas. Dress for the occasion.
Visa
For the most current information on visas for the UK, contact the Consulate General of Chicago.
625 N Michigan Avenue, Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-970-3800
Web:
Traveling while there
There are plenty of transportation options for travel within and outside of the UK. The train system within the UK is the National Rail, and the Eurorail system connectscountries in Europe. There are also discount airlines that are efficient and inexpensive for travel such as Ryanair and EasyJet. Planning ahead can save you time and money. For travel tips, a good resource is Rick Steves’ European travel tips:
Academic Culture
Interaction with professors is more formal. Students are expected to do more self-directed studying, and there may be fewer group discussion classes. In some classes, you may only have 1 or 2 tests and no homework, and it can be difficult to get an A. Typically, in the UK a 40% is the minimum passing grade. A 70% or higher is a high grade. There is a slightly different vocabulary: module means class, course means major,marks means grades, postgraduate means graduate, university means college, and college may mean high school.
Health and Safety
Medical services are widely available, but the charges may be higher than in the US. Before traveling, make sure you are up to date on your routine vaccines. Check for any recommended vaccineswith your doctor and the CDC at
The crime rate for the UK is relatively low. The major crime against travelers is theft. Watch for pickpocketing in tourist areas. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid carrying too much cash or valuables with you to avoid making yourself a target. The drinking culture is different in the UK, and often alcohol may be stronger than what you are used to in the US, so be careful when drinking.
Money
The UK uses theBritish Pound. You can use credit or debit cards, but check with your bank about possible international fees. ATMs can be a quick and convenient way to get money in the local currency, but there may be international fees. ATMS are sometimes called ‘Cash Points.’ It’s always a good idea to carry some cash with you since some places might not accept cards. For a current exchange rate, see
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