Finding Your Way

Tag: dailyprompt-1862

  • UK Weather Patterns: When and Where It Snows

    The joys of weather in the UK

    One of the questions I often get asked about moving to the UK is the weather here. “Doesn’t it just rain there all day”? And the answer to that question is: well, kinda. It rains the same way that it rains in most places despite the reputation the UK has developed as always being “rainy”, it depends on where you are in the UK also.

    But that leads to the second question of when and where does it actually snow in the UK? Well, in terms of the countries in the United Kingdom, Scotland is where you are most likely to find snow. This perhaps is not the biggest surprise , as it is the more mountainous region of the UK. Cairngorm National Park in particular is where in Scotland you are more likely to find snow.

    Other places in the UK also get snow and cold weather, especially in the Northern parts of England. And last winter in Wales, it did in fact snow for the first time in awhile and some of the public services like busses and trains did not handle it the best.

    Arguably I wrote this post in order to try to dispel some of the common perceptions about weather in the UK. Hardly the most pressing topic and I will write more long form ones, including the previously promised post explaining Northern Ireland in the context of the UK and history and what it means today to someone who is not from the UK, but I figured this would be a good post to tide things over till then.

    Does it rain as much as people joke about in the UK? Yes, but it sometimes snows too.

  • Understanding the UK School System for American Families

    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.

  • Why I Avoid Visiting Texas: A Personal Take

    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?
    View all responses

  • Understanding the Distinct Cultures of the UK

    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.

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s something most people don’t understand?
    View all responses

  • From Procrastination to Excellence: A Student’s Journey

    A challenging phase I experienced when I arrived in the United Kingdom was letting go of the mindset that I could simply wait for my next school course to shape my career decisions. During my Pre-Masters program, I shifted my focus to achieving the best possible grades, allowing me to prioritize my academic performance over immediate career concerns. This transformation helped me realize the importance of proactive planning and decision-making in my educational journey.

    “Never put off for tomorrow what you can do today”.

    Thomas Jefferson