One of the best aspects of studying abroad is how much it makes you appreciate relationships at home. With friends and family, a boyfriend or a girlfriend, co-workers and even professors, the old saying I heard repetitively rattled off before I left is true: distance makes the heart grow fonder.
For this reason, social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and especially Skype are lifesavers! While only ten to fifteen years ago, students studying abroad had to rely on letters or the pricy long-distance phone-call to stay in touch with loved ones, today saying “I miss you” is as simple as pressing buttons on your BlackBerry or opening your laptop.
That being said, I have found one negative to instant communication: it allows everyone to ask me questions. And questions. And questions. And usually, I get asked the same or similar questions. The most common query I get is: what is the biggest difference you’ve found living in England compared to living in America?
So, in the hope of dispelling, if not once and for all, at least for a few weeks this question, allow me to offer you the most exhaustive answer I can come up with. England from A to Z (or Zed): the differences I’ve noted between life in Lancaster, England and life in Northfield, Minnesota. And I’ll do so in the most exciting category of comparison: names. Here we go mates!
A– America the enigma. When people realize I’m American (I only have to say “hi”) I get all kinds of questions. What state am I from – because I live in a ‘state’ right? Wow, you have to fly to get from Massachusetts to Minnesota? I didn’t realize it was that far! Is community college really like the TV show Community? Is Las Vegas just a place of strippers and casinos? How young was I when I learned about slavery? Have I met anyone like the Jersey Shore cast members? Do I support Obama? Have I been to Disney World? (Many English families go to Disney for vacations!) And so on.
B– Beans on Toast. This is pretty self-explanatory. I will note that this meal is comparable to Lutefisk … or Vegemite in Australia. Something gross yet absolutely necessary to sample to become fully immersed in a new culture.
C – Chips vs.Crisps. I’ll try not to confuse you here. Chips to the British are not the crunchy Fritos or Doritos we enjoy as a guilty pleasure with a sandwich. Rather, Chips in England are what we call French Fries. Now Crisps are our Fritos or Doritos.
D – Digestives: thin cookies usually eaten with tea. I just bought Cadbury digestives the other day that are half chocolate half graham cracker – I don’t think I’ll be eating any other kind.
E– English. Apparently the English do not like to be called “British” but prefer “English.”
F–Football. Fancy Dress. Flapjack. Flatmate. Fresher. Respectively: American soccer (http://www.hercampus.com/
GandH and I – Gosh I justHave to tell you about Primark! Seriously ladies, if you come to England visit a Primark: it’s like a Forever 21 but – can you believe it – cheaper! Guys, you should check it out as well to – they have great clothes and you can do your back-to-school shopping in one store, probably in one hour or less.
J – Jolt. A shot, such as one gets at the doctors office to stave off the year’s flu virus. Jumper a.k.a. Sweatshirt: when I bought my membership to the gym on campus, the guy asked me what size jumper I wanted. I replied, “Oh no, that’s okay, I haven’t used those since I was little,” only to be shocked when he held up a black sweatshirt, not a jump rope.
K– King. Well, actually England’s ruler is Queen Elizabeth II but I have “Q” covered already. The royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is April 29, also the first day of my third term at Lancaster, but I have the day off from classes! The wedding has been declared a national holiday!
L – Legal! And Lad. Yes, if you are over 18, you can legally drink in England! Not that any lads or ladies on our “dry campus” could have avoided some Minors if they lived here.
M– Mum. Sunday April 3 is Mothering Sunday in the U.K. and pink and purple “For You Mum!” cards are simply spilling out of grocery store aisles. Also, Meat Pies! (http://www.hercampus.com/
Nand O – Not Often dressing down or causal. Even at the gym, the English put fashion first. I have yet to see a girl in sweatpants on campus and if you’re not wearing heels, makeup and have your hair done (and I mean done) for class, you’re a guy in dress shoes and nice pants (of other fabric than jean.)
P – Pub. Lancaster University has nine pubs ON campus – one for each college. Again, note the difference from our dry campus. Also Posh: I live in what is known as “Ghetto Pendle” not “Posh Pendle.” (Basically, posh just means fancy.) And Pence (cents) and Pound (dollar, but pounds come in both coins and paper notes). And Prawn (shrimp) andPorter (like RA’s but adults who work in the main office of each college on campus who you can go to with any problem.)
Q– Quid. Slang for “pound” and one of my favourite words (Note: in England the or sound is spelled our: color = colour, favor = favour etc.) Quid is the American equivalent of “buck” instead of “dollar.”
R– Rain. It really does rain here often.
S– Strongbow. An alcoholic cider that is very popular here. While it is available in America, I’ve been told it is much more expensive. Note: ciders in all flavors are very popular in England.
T– Tea. The most popular beverage in England (besides alcoholic ones.) Also Tutor, known at Olaf as “professor.” Again, a term that confused me in the beginning: talking with an admissions woman here who told me, “You can ask your tutor that,” I replied, “Thank you but I’m not sure I need extra help in English. That’s my major.”
U – Uni. What everyone calls their University (“at my Uni…”) or the American equivalent to college. At Lancaster University a college is the group of flats with a bar and porters lodge, and there are nine colleges at Lancaster. Ex. “I go to Lancaster Uni and I live in Pendle College.”
V – Vespa. Vespas, motorcycles and small cars own the highways here. Public transportation is efficient and everywhere, not to mention that petrol (British for gas!) is very expensive, so most people take buses and trains.
W–Wellies. Or as I still call them, rainboots. I really wonder who came up with that name…
X – The X Factor. A popular competitive singing show in England, much like American Idol and also produced by Simon Cowell who is also a judge. When I went to Old Trafford stadium –hello, the home of Manchester United – there was an X Factor audition going on in one section of the stadium with a massive line.
Y–“You alright?” This is probably the hardest expression for me to get used to. The British version of “What’s up?” When my flatmates ask me, “You alright?” I still have to check myself and say, “Great, how are you?” not: “Do I not look alright? I don’t feel sick today….”
Z –Zed. How an Englishman/woman pronounces “Z”.
*Lucy Casale ’13 is studying at Lancaster University in Lancaster, England for second semester.