When I came to the UK, I had expected my tendency to be unorganised to be an outlier. I was wrong. Being late and unorganised is as common in the UK as it is in America, from the bus schedules to the trains, to even getting paid.
But that being said, just because a lot of people in the UK and the systems here seem unorganised at times does not mean I should not aim to improve my organisation. I am proud that since coming here I sort of been forced by circumstance to have some form of organisation, from always ensuring I have copies of important documents to having physical calendars and writing down my work schedules.
Let this be a lesson: just because people are unorganised or messy around you does not mean you have to be.
Daily writing prompt
What’s one small improvement you can make in your life?
When I came to the UK, one of the things that I did not expect to be different from the US when I came here was the schooling system. For those who are coming here with dependents, such as children of their own, I figured it could be helpful for me to lay out the schooling system.
Education in the UK is split into a few different blocks so to speak: Primary, Secondary, and Post-Secondary Education (further education, higher education).
Primary education in the UK typically consists of the following years:
Foundation Stage (Reception Year): Age 4-5
Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2): Age 5-7
Year 1: Age 5-6
Year 2: Age 6-7
Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6): Age 7-11
Year 3: Age 7-8
Year 4: Age 8-9
Year 5: Age 9-10
Year 6: Age 10-11
This structure forms the basis of primary education in the UK before moving on to secondary education.
Secondary education in the UK typically consists of the following stages and years:
Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9): Age 11-14
Year 7: Age 11-12
Year 8: Age 12-13
Year 9: Age 13-14
Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11): Age 14-16
Year 10: Age 14-15
Year 11: Age 15-16
Post Secondary-Education in the UK consists of Further Education and Higher Education. The biggest surprise to me personally was learning that College and University were completely different in the UK, unlike in America where they are one in the same.
Further Education (College)
Post compulsory
includes courses and classes similar to those taught in universities
Higher Education (University)
Pretty much the same as in America. With Undergraduate and Graduate degrees that can be pursued, alongside PHDs.
The education system in the UK is not as hard to get a grasp on but I hope this post helps those who need help navigating some of the differences.
Social media is my least favourite invention of the 20th century. I was an avid Facebook user from 2013-2020, I will fully confess to that.
But the Covid pandemic and the way the Facebook user-interface has gone downhill it feels like since 2015 drove me off the site to the point I only use it to keep in touch with family members.
Honestly, the only social media platform I actively “use” is Instagram, primarily for its Reels feature, which occasionally showcases entertaining movie clips and hilarious memes. Beyond that, I engage very little with social media, as I find it to be a toxic environment saturated with negativity and distraction.
As we enter Spring here in the UK, the lovely tendency of my body to give me the finger and try to make my life difficult has come around again as I find myself facing a cold. Now, I want to help people who come here to the UK know some tips and tricks for how I handle these colds and perhaps it could help them as well.
Three ways, though I must stress I am not a doctor and this is just how I do it, results may vary.
One:
I tend to eat a lot of Welsh yogurt or yogurt in general. Muller Strawberry Yogurt is my go-to but I can vouch for the Vanilla Chocolate Balls as well. It helps my throat if it feels like its clogged up.
Two:
LemSip is a go-to for me as well as Boots Paracetamol. It has helped me plenty of times.
As an American currently residing in the United Kingdom, I must admit that I have never had a desire to visit the state of Texas. I’ve heard negative things about the weather from locals, and as someone who dislikes hot climates, that plays a significant role in my aversion. Even if there were other attractions that appealed to me, the culture of Texas seems to be the complete opposite of what I enjoy. Consequently, I cannot envision myself visiting the Lone Star State anytime in the future.
Daily writing prompt
What place in the world do you never want to visit? Why?
Something a lot of people do not seem to understand about the UK, who are not from here—even myself before I landed in Wales and despite my attempts to learn ahead of time—is the distinct cultures of Wales, Britain, and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland, in particular, is often described as the most complicated culture; more research on my end is needed, and perhaps it will be the focus of an upcoming blog post. Each of the countries is ultimately quite different from one another.
For instance, Scotland is not the same as Wales, and Wales is not the same as Britain. There are significant tensions between all of them, similar to the tensions that exist between states in America, such as California and Texas.
The point I want to emphasize is that when you visit the UK, it’s crucial to understand the regions and cultures of the natives you are interacting with. Before you comment something like “Oh, aren’t you British?” (especially while you are in a pub in Wales), be aware that the reactions to this ignorance might not be so kind. There is a deep cultural history behind it. This topic will be the driving force behind my next major blog post, scheduled for publication by Sunday at midnight.
One type of weather I have come to appreciate in the UK, which I never enjoyed in America, is snow. While I wouldn’t claim to have a specific favorite type of weather, adapting to the frequent rain that the UK experiences is crucial. If you don’t enjoy damp conditions, relocating to the UK might present more challenges than expected. Nevertheless, I have developed a fondness for snow since moving here; it’s captivating how it gently falls and blankets the picturesque mountains, creating a cozy atmosphere that’s hard to describe. You truly need to experience it for yourself. Although this might seem like rambling, snow has genuinely become one of my favourite weather types since my arrival in the UK.
There are numerous activities I wish to engage in daily, but the most significant is the desire for more hours to dedicate to learning. My move to the UK was primarily motivated by this quest for knowledge, as I aim to explore various cultures, systems, and broaden my understanding. I long for additional time to indulge in reading books, articles, and informative Wikipedia entries. Unfortunately, with only 24 hours in a day, I find myself wishing for more time to satisfy my intellectual curiosity.
One word that truly defines my journey of moving to the UK is persistence. Struggling to find a job here is an uphill battle—trust me, it’s tougher than you can imagine! Before you step foot in the UK, brace yourself to face numerous shattered hopes and dreams. While this may be true for any relocation, if you think it will be easier here, let me assure you: it’s not. Yet, remember, there’s always a glimmer of hope waiting at the end of the tunnel! No matter where you are—here or back home—never give up. Persistence is the secret weapon for thriving in the UK, and it will lead you to opportunities you never dreamed possible.
Hello, one of the biggest challenges of deciding to move to the UK is understanding the visa rules and determining which visa is the best fit for your situation. This topic is quite complex, so I’m going to break it down into several posts, dedicating more time to each visa type.
Let’s start with, arguably, the simplest visa available: the Student Visa. If you’re considering studying in the UK, the Student Visa is essential for international students. In this post, we’ll explore the application process, eligibility requirements, and tips for securing your Student Visa efficiently. Understanding these critical aspects will pave the way for a successful educational journey in the UK.
To obtain a student visa, you must be accepted by a recognized UK university. The UK hosts a diverse range of universities, each with unique advantages and disadvantages, similar to any education system globally. I have compiled valuable resources to assist prospective students in identifying which universities to apply to in the UK.
Now, once you have gotten the student visa, you have to understand what it allows you to do and what it doesn’t. It does:
-Allow you to access the NHS services (you did pay the health surcharge, after all)
-Enter and leave the UK
-Work part time in conjunction with your studies as an international student in the UK. THIS PART IS CRUCIAL: YOU CAN WORK UP TO 20 HOURS PER WEEK DURING TERM TIME. They mean by the minute, as in: exceeding this time limit for any reason could jeopardize your visa status or even lead to revocation. DO NOT TRY TO OUTSMART THE SYSTEM. During university break periods like Christmas and Spring Break, the work hours limit is lifted, but you must provide your employer with a confirmation from your university granting permission to work full-time. This emphasis is necessary due to ongoing political discourse in the UK where concerns have been raised that some foreign students may prioritize employment over their studies, thereby taking job opportunities away from local residents. While I won’t delve into the political implications of this topic, it’s worth noting that both the previous Tory government and the Labour party have expressed similar concerns. Regardless of merit, the rules have to be followed by all those on a Student Visa: no exceptions unless otherwise stated by your university.
The student visa, once you complete your Masters Degree, can then be changed into a Graduate Visa. I might make a short post on that one but it will be quite short as the Graduate Visa is kind of straightforward.
Let me know if you have any questions on the student visa. It is relatively straightforward, but if you have the funds and adhere to the requirements to apply, it is not too complicated.
