BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY. A guide to understanding Britain for international students

Transcription

1 BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY A guide to understanding Britain for international students

2 2 A guide to understanding Britain for international students CONTENTS British geography 3 What is Great Britain? 3 What is the natural environment like? 4 British politics 5 What are the political structures? 5 What important laws are there? 5 British society 6 What are British values? 6 What is a typical British person like? 6 Are people friendly? 7 Is there much crime in Britain? 7 What do people do in their spare time? 8 Weekends and holidays 8 Religion 8 Bank Holidays and festivals 8 Sports 9 Food and drink 9 As an international student at the University of Birmingham, you may be based on our Birmingham campus or on one of our campuses abroad. To study successfully at a British institution, you need to understand the context in which you are working. This guide covers British geography, politics and society. University of Birmingham

3 A guide to understanding Britain for international students 3 BRITISH GEOGRAPHY WHAT IS GREAT BRITAIN? Great Britain, or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to give it its full name, is a large island of almost 250,000km 2 in western Europe with a population of over 65 million. TIP Do not assume that the British citizens you meet are English. England is the biggest country, but only one of four in the UK. It is separated from the rest of continental Europe by the North Sea but connected to France by the Channel Tunnel, one of the world s longest undersea tunnels. The British Isles is a geographical term referring to the group of islands and countries that make up Great Britain. The United Kingdom (UK) is a political reference that encompasses the governments of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. SCOTLAND LANGUAGE POINT To describe things related to Britain and the UK, we use the adjectives British and UK, for example, British culture, UK politics. When you are talking about the UK as a country, remember to always use the : the United Kingdom, the UK. You should only drop the in front of UK when it is the adjective in front of words that do not normally have the in the sentence. This means you would talk about being interested in the UK economy (as you would say interested in the economy) and about being interested in UK history (as you would say interested in history). NORTHERN IRELAND ENGLAND WALES

4 4 A guide to understanding Britain for international students BRITISH GEOGRAPHY WHAT IS THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT LIKE? Britain has mild temperatures in general but these can vary: winters often see heavy snowfall, and the south is usually warmer than the north. Throughout the four seasons, it rains regularly, more so in the west of the country. Scotland has the most and the highest mountains while Wales is also known for its mountain ranges. The UK has many lochs, lakes and rivers, and has an extensive canal network. The three biggest cities in the UK are the English cities of London, Birmingham and Manchester. Because of urbanisation, there are not as many plant and flower species and wildlife as there used to be in Britain. However, it is still very green and is known for its beautiful and varied landscapes. Britain has a picturesque landscape and escaping to the countryside is a popular British pastime. LANGUAGE POINT The following expressions can come in handy when you are in Britain: About heavy rain: It is pouring down! It is pelting down! It is tipping it down! It is bucketing down out there! When the rain has gone: It is starting to clear up. It is brightening up out there. The sun seems to be coming through. ADVICE FROM AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN THE UK Trina says: For those of you who come from tropical climates (like myself), say goodbye to your summer clothes! Get ready to buy some comfy jumpers, warm boots and a coat or two for the colder weather. Don t have high hopes for the British summer either. It can be perfectly sunny one week and rainy and chilly the next. I ve somehow come to love this quirky weather. Come to think of it, I guess I understand now why people here talk of the weather so much, it s like a naughty little child that refuses to behave! About light rain: It is drizzling out there. It is beginning to spit out there. We are expecting showers later. Lake District countryside

5 A guide to understanding Britain for international students 5 BRITISH POLITICS WHAT ARE THE POLITICAL STRUCTURES? The United Kingdom is a sovereign state with a monarch, which means that a queen or king is the head of state (as well as of the 15 independent Commonwealth countries, including Australia and Jamaica). The UK is a constitutional monarchy, so a monarch s role is to advise and encourage, although the rules of the country are not made by them. The UK has a parliamentary government, often referred to as Westminster, the area of London where Parliament (which makes its laws) is based. Laws are voted on by the two houses of Parliament: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons consists of MPs (Members of Parliament) who have been elected in their local areas. They all belong to political parties, eg, the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrat Party or the Scottish National Party. The head of government is the Prime Minister, Big Ben and Houses of Parliament, London, UK normally the leader of the political party with the most MPs in Parliament. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also have their own governments, but England does not. Law enforcement is mainly organised by the different countries in the UK, and normally carried out by the police. Judges preside over court proceedings and act independently from the government. The military service operates on behalf of the whole United Kingdom. The Armed Forces have three branches: the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force. WHAT IMPORTANT LAWS ARE THERE? Laws can tell us a lot about the changing values in society. Here are some examples of laws from the 20th and 21st centuries that have made British society into what it is now: The Representation of the People Act (1918): Before this law, only men with property were allowed to vote (about 60% of the male population). In 1918, this changed to all men over 21 and those who had turned 19 while fighting in World War I. For the first time, some women also had voting rights, eg, women aged over 30 who owned property. From 1928, the voting rights for men and women became exactly the same. The Education Act (1944): Education became free for all children up to the age of 15; it is now compulsory until the age of 18. The National Health Service Act (1946): The National Health Service was created, based on the idea that the overall health of the nation would improve if people were encouraged to take care of themselves because of health care being free. The system is paid for through National Insurance, ie, employees and employers pay National Insurance contributions so that people can visit a doctor or a hospital without paying for the service. European Communities Act (1972): Britain joined the European Union (EU) by incorporating its laws, and adopting a common agricultural policy and customs union. From 1992, all European citizens have been able to legally work and live in any EU country. In 2016, just over half of the British people voted to leave the European Union, the start of a long Brexit (British exit) process. LANGUAGE POINT Brexit is a portmanteau: a word that blends some of the sounds and the meaning of two other words (here: Britain + exit). Other examples are: p Brunch (breakfast + lunch; a late morning meal) p Podcast (ipod + broadcast; a digital audiofile that can be downloaded from the internet) p Vlog (video + log; a personal website or social media account where somebody posts videos) p Motel (motor + hotel; a roadside hotel aimed at motorists) p Babycino (baby + cappuccino; a hot milky drink without coffee, aimed at children) Human Rights Act (1998): The European Convention on Human rights became law in Britain. It protects human rights and political freedoms (eg, the right to an education, to a fair trial, to privacy, to freedom of thought and of expression). Equality Act (2010): An anti-discrimination law.

6 6 A guide to understanding Britain for international students BRITISH SOCIETY WHAT ARE BRITISH VALUES? The government has stated that British values are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. These values are promoted in schools. Of course, these values are not exclusive to Britain, but they are encouraged there and most people believe they are beneficial to society. TIP Language is important (see below) and it often changes. Notice what words people use to describe others in positive ways, so you can do so too. In practice, it means that people have the right to express their opinions, eg, by protesting or signing petitions, but they will not push their ideas onto other people. People also know that diversity is good for society, that they should not discriminate against others, and that they should speak out against intolerance. It is worth noting that people tend to have positive attitudes towards international students. This does not mean that every individual is safe from discrimination, especially if they are part of certain groups. The Equality Act 2010 protects people against discrimination. In other words, it is against the law to discriminate, eg, not to offer a job to a person because they have a disability or are pregnant. Using appropriate language is very important. Not only does the language we use reflect our personal and cultural values, it also shapes society, as it sends a message about what is acceptable. The words listed below are used in British English to talk about some of the people who have the characteristics that are protected by law (as mentioned opposite). The following are respectful words without negative connotations: p A pregnant woman p People with a hearing and p A religious person visual impairment p p p LANGUAGE POINT People from a BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) background Disabled people and non-disabled people Older people p p p A person who is on the autism spectrum A wheelchair user A person with learning disabilities WHAT IS A TYPICAL BRITISH PERSON LIKE? What do you think of when you of think of a typical British person? Are they a man or a woman? A black or white person? What accent might they have? The cultural stereotype often associated with Britain dates back to colonial times and is unlikely to represent modern Britain. First, you need to remember that Britain comprises four different countries, and is a multicultural society. Many British people are not of white descent and there has been major immigration to the UK from places such as Africa, the Caribbean and South Asia, creating a diverse population of British citizens. It is important not to make assumptions about where people are from when you meet them. City pavement busy with pedestrians, UK

7 A guide to understanding Britain for international students 7 ARE PEOPLE FRIENDLY? What you think of people s attitudes will depend on what you are used to. In Britain, people are friendly and polite to their neighbours, but some people never meet their neighbours. Friendships can take a long time to form. People often become long-term friends with people they see regularly, eg, their classmates or colleagues. It is not easy to just go out and meet people, so it may be worth joining groups to meet others. When interacting socially, people tend to talk about unimportant matters first, like the weather and the surroundings they are in. It can take time to move on from that, but deeper friendships are worth investing some time. ADVICE FROM AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN THE UK Trina says: One thing that struck me was how polite and gracious people here are, and it s something I have grown to be quite fond of! Stepping onto the bus on the way to university for the first time, I heard people in the queue in front of me greet the bus driver hello, and people saying thank you on the way out. While doing my weekly shop I observed people thanking cashiers too, and responding to an offer for a carrier bag with a Yes please. The same can be observed in cafes and food joints. Treating service staff with the respect and kindness we expect from them is a wonderful practice! IS THERE MUCH CRIME IN BRITAIN? Forming new friendships with classmates Your perception of British crime will depend on the situation where you normally live. Officially, the number of crimes in the UK is decreasing over the long term. Certain types of crimes, even though still low, are onthe increase, eg, vehicle thefts. In surveys, the vast majority of people say they have not personally experienced any crime whatsoever over a long period of time. avoid being on your own in the dark, be wary of strangers who approach you, don t let anyone have your bank account details, get very strong locks for your bicycle and so on. Of course, this is good common sense wherever you are in the world. However, it is important to keep safe and be careful. If you are in a big city it is worth finding out which areas are best to avoid. Always keep your possessions with you, don t carry a lot of money or show it around,

8 8 A guide to understanding Britain for international students WHAT BRITISH IS SOCIETY IT LIKE TO STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM? WHAT DO PEOPLE DO IN THEIR SPARE TIME? WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS The British weekend covers Saturdays and Sundays, although there are people who work on those days, eg, those who work in retail, health care and the church. Official statistics show that consuming mass media is the most popular pastime in the UK (eg, watching TV, listening to music). Sports, hobbies, computer games and socialising are also common activities. People like shopping, eating out, going to the cinema, or visiting parks, historic properties and tourist towns. Many people spend time at the weekends doing household chores, home improvements, reading or gardening. Most people enjoy going on holidays. Camping is popular, and so are holidays in the sun abroad. RELIGION The largest religion in the UK is Christianity, with most people being Anglicans (Church of England). The next most popular religions, Islam and Hinduism, are much smaller. Many people are surprised at the large number of places of worship that can be found in Britain apart from churches, eg, mosques, mandirs and gurdwaras, especially in cities. A British Social Attitudes survey has indicated that over half of the population of the UK has no religion. Summer camping in England, UK BANK HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS Bank holidays are public holidays, often on Mondays, on which most places of work are closed. Sometimes they are on days of religious festivals. Other celebrations happen on normal working days, eg, Scottish people celebrate a poet on Burn s night (25 January), English people celebrate Bonfire Night (5 November) and Welsh people celebrate St David s Day (1 March). ADVICE FROM AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN THE UK Dennis says: When I first arrived at university, everything seemed different. Language, accents, mannerisms and even the food caught me off guard to start with. One of the most effective ways to overcome culture shock is to try and be openminded. Treat everything new as a chance to gain knowledge about the culture. Not only does this make it easier to deal with, but you may also find certain things that you may like. Turn the shock into a learning experience or even treat it like an adventure, because to be honest, that s what it is! Fish and chips

9 A guide to understanding Britain for international students 9 SPORTS Many sports originated in Britain and unsurprisingly, British people love sports. Following sporting events on TV such as football (soccer), tennis, Formula 1, cricket, rugby union, athletics, horse racing, snooker and golf is a popular pastime. Football is the nation s favourite sport to watch and participate in. Many people go to the gym, swim or go running. FOOD AND DRINK British food has an improving international reputation, and there are many good restaurants to choose from. Traditional roast dinners are always popular, especially on Sundays, but people also love Chinese, Indian and Italian food, as well as fish and chips. Takeaways are also popular and people often have these delivered to them at home. There is now also a coffee culture in Britain, partly due to the increase of international coffee chains, and because speciality coffees are available in pubs and fast-food restaurants. However, people still buy more tea. LANGUAGE POINT The word tea can have different meanings. Notice that it can refer to a drink, to food, or to both: p To have a cup of tea p A tea caddy (a container for tea) p To have tea (to eat a cooked evening meal) p A tea room (a café specialising in tea and cake) p A teacake (a sweet bun, more like bread than cake, usually served toasted) p To have afternoon tea (to eat a light afternoon meal with sandwiches, cakes and tea) Tea also has a symbolic meaning. People will say let s put the kettle on, let s have a cup of tea, or let s have a cuppa when a person is upset, in shock, not feeling well or needs to be listened to. ADVICE FROM AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN THE UK Dennis says: Do not shy away from your own culture as people may find an interest in things such as your hobbies, the foods you eat, the languages you speak and much more. Adjusting to university life is a big step in your future career plans and dreams, the best way to do it is to just be yourself. TIP Traditional British puddings (desserts) are delicious. If you like sweet food, try bread and butter pudding (bread soaked in milk and baked with raisins), apple crumble (sweetened apples topped with butter and flour and baked), Eton mess (meringue, strawberries and cream) or Bakewell tart (a pastry tart with a ground almond filling). Sticky toffee pudding with ice cream

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11 A guide to understanding Britain for international students 11 REFERENCES Advice from an international student in the UK sections taken from: Odera, D., Overcoming culture shock [online]. Available at study-uk.britishcouncil.org/living/ top-student-tips-culture-shock [Accessed 23 May 2018] Khoo, T., Three key tips for international students studying in the UK [online]. Available at www. grb.uk.com/blog/3-key-tips-forinternational-students-studying-inthe-uk [Accessed 23 May 2018]

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