Finding Your Way

Tag: welsh

  • 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.

  • Do Brands Matter? A Contrasting View from the UK

    Some people have favourite brands. There are the infamous “Disney adults” who swear up and down to the House of Mouse, there are the weirdo “Tesla bros”, in the UK there is not as much of a culture around brands as far as I have seen. I could be completely wrong but it seems to me that unlike back home in America “brand fever” is less prevalent here. Everyone just uses whatever fits their needs and moves on; which is the way it should be. I cannot fathom having loyalty as a consumer to a product brand, it is pure dystopian nightmare fuel to me when I see people lining up out the door to buy products on release day such as Pokémon cards, or people who brag about only buying Apple products.

    This is just my old man perspective I guess.

    Daily writing prompt
    What are your favorite brands and why?
    View all responses

  • Why Coming to the UK Was Worth the Risk

    When it comes to taking risks, moving to the UK was a significant gamble for me. Relocating to a new country, even one with many cultural similarities to the United States, is not as easy or seamless as I initially expected.

    However, I am genuinely grateful for my decision to come here. The laid-back culture in the UK offers a nice balance of relaxation and engagement, making it easy to connect with the locals. Additionally, I’ve discovered that the food in the UK is significantly healthier compared to what I used to consume during my college days in America.

    Building a new life in the UK has provided me with unique opportunities for personal growth that I never could have experienced otherwise. While taking risks may not be suitable for everyone, I encourage you to embrace the possibility of change. If I had allowed my doubts to guide my decision, I would be in a much less fulfilling situation today.

    Moving to the UK was a risk, but it’s one that I am thankful I took. If you’re considering a move to this vibrant country, don’t let doubts and fears hold you back. Embrace the adventure and discover the rewards that await you!

    Daily writing prompt
    When is the last time you took a risk? How did it work out?
    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

  • Essential Languages for Moving to the UK

    In the United Kingdom, a diverse array of languages are spoken, with many originating from immigrants and tourists. While each language is beautiful and valuable to learn, it is essential to focus on two key languages for anyone considering a move to the UK, depending on the desired location. Knowing these primary languages can significantly enhance your experience and opportunities within this multicultural society.

    The primary language in the UK is English, and it’s important to acknowledge a challenge that many face. In certain areas, not speaking English can lead to discomfort or even hostility from locals. While this reaction is unfair and at odds with the UK’s proud multiculturalism, it is crucial to inform newcomers about this reality. As someone from America, where English is the dominant language, I recognize the privilege I had in not needing to learn it as a non-native speaker. Therefore, I aim to provide valuable resources for those looking to learn English, as proficiency is essential for obtaining a visa to the UK.

    Here are some source you can learn English from:

    https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/online-courses/live-online-classes

    https://www.ihlondon.com/online-english

    There are also a litany of apps, such as Duolingo and Drops. English is a tough language to learn as I have been told by those who speak it as a second language, so apps and classes to help learn it I feel are worth knowing about.

    The second language that might be worth knowing, depending on where you plan to end up in the UK, is Welsh. Welsh is a protected language in Wales, despite it being spoken almost exclusively in Wales and not in many other parts of the UK. North Wales and South Wales have different dialects, so if you learn the Southern dialect and go to North Wales you might notice some differences. Welsh, being a protected language, has plenty of resources for you to learn it.

    This is where I recommend as a resource hub to learn both dialects, North and South.

    https://learnwelsh.cymru/

    Now, if you want to learn Scottish Gaelic, the native language of Scotland, out of pure curiosity of cultural roots, there are some sources to help you learn it but to find a job or live there it is not really necessary. Here is the premiere place I would recommend.

    https://learngaelic.scot/

    Honestly, I would suggest the primary language, if English is not your first language that you have to learn beyond the exams to acquire the visa, is English. You cannot simply memorise it and then promptly forget about it once you get here, it is used in every aspect everywhere. But it a barrier that can be overcome, with patience. Easier said than done, I suppose.