Living the London Life

  Managing Differences England has my heart. My time abroad can be described in one simple word: amazing. I knew when I was beginning my college career that I wanted to do a study abroad. This time abroad has exceeded my expectations and has taught me a lot about British culture. England is a beautiful place to live with multiple aspects coming into play of how to adapt.                When I first arrived at Harlaxton, it took me a little while to adjust. I was used to getting up and going in the morning at full speed. My friend and I wanted to go explore the beautiful manor and start our first morning by getting a warm, caffeinated, cup of coffee. So, we made our way downstairs and asked the receptionist if there was any coffee anywhere. He said no and that there would not be any until breakfast, with which we were okay. We stood near the reception debating on where we wanted to go first when an English lad...

  Healthcare Healthcare is essential to all human beings. Healthcare can be used when we are injured or just need a checkup. As an American, it is interesting to see how other countries manage the healthcare system. Different countries provide different healthcare, and we will examine how England’s healthcare works. The healthcare system is provided through the National Health Service (NHS). The national health service is funded through taxation. According to an article from Expatica , in the United Kingdom, total healthcare expenditure amounted to £292 billion in 2023, representing 11% of the nation's GDP. This positions the UK as one of the highest spenders on healthcare globally. Everybody can access the healthcare system for free no matter what their background or circumstances.                In England healthcare is free but not without cost. There are no upfront costs, but dental treatment charges ra...

  Business Contexts First impressions are important to many individuals. One unpleasant experience can make a person think less about you. One enjoyable experience can make someone think highly of you. When greeting people in a different region, it is important to consider their culture and customs. As a world traveler, I know how important it is to respect and adapt to other cultures. It is also important to properly greet people from diverse cultures. It is likely you will travel in your lifetime, so it is necessary to be aware of how to initially interact with people. When traveling you must examine the appropriate way to greet, communicate, and overcome challenges within different regions.                In England, politeness and properness are valued. According to an article from We Are Developers , business greetings can include a handshake with a smile. In the business setting, hugging, or kissing sho...

Education Education is a formative time in anybody’s life. It is especially important as a child when you are learning skills that will get you through the rest of your life. As an American, I started my education in preschool at age four. Then, I started kindergarten at age 5 and stayed in elementary school until I was twelve. After elementary school, I moved into middle school from age twelve to fourteen. Then high school was from age fifteen to eighteen. I also attended a public school where there was no cost, however, if my parents wanted to send me to a private school there would have been a cost of attendance. Then there is the option to attend college for a cost. Sometimes we can forget that not everyone has this same opportunity and experience. Therefore, it is important to be aware of how other education systems work. Factors to consider are cost, year until completion, graduation rates, and values of the school systems. In England, and most of the United Kingdom, it is br...

  Nonverbal Messages                A nonverbal message is a message that requires no words but rather body language. This can include pointing, nodding, or other forms of expression communicating your message. As human beings, we can gather a lot of information from nonverbal messages. Nonverbal communication can tell us how others are feeling, such as facial expressions, as well as other communication tactics. Everyone should consider other cultures’ views on certain nonverbal messages. It is common in America to shake somebody’s hand, but in another country it might not be acceptable. It is important to pay attention to the nonverbal language, appearance, and behaviors of other cultures.                Nonverbal communication may not involve words, but it speaks volumes. Taking into consideration the nonverbal language of another culture...

  Verbal Messages America and England may speak the same language, but not all words are the same. It is important for other people visiting from different countries to England to understand the verbal differences. As an American, I have heard different word usage from my time abroad. Verbal messages can have all sorts of meanings, so it is necessary that we try to understand them.                The following words/phrases are verbal differences I have encountered: British Term American Term Toilet/washroom Bathroom/restroom Lift Elevator Biscuit Cookie Football Soccer Chips French Fries As you can see, we are talking about the same thing just in different vocabulary. A dialect is a variation in pronunciation or grammar within a specific region. The city of Grantham has a...

 

Family Structure      Family is where the heart is. This holds true for me in my life as well as other people throughout the country and the world. Likewise, it is also true for the people of Britian. To further understand the British culture, we must look at their family structure and function. We can do this by examining economics, reproduction, socialization, language, and identity function. A family structure is who the family consists of and how it is organized such as nuclear, blended, extended, single-parent, and more. In England, the main type of family structure is a nuclear family. According to an article by HelpfulProfessor.com , a nuclear family consists of two parents, typically a mother and a father, with one or more children that live together. This is the most common type of family structure and is seen as a traditional family. However, there is also a growing trend of single-parent families in Britian. Family is highly valued in British culture. ...

  Worldviews Worldview is how people interpret the world around them through knowledge, culture, and way of life. It helps people to assess the bigger picture of life such as what happens after death. For some, this could have religious meaning. For others, it could be purely based on science. My worldview is assessed through my religion, experiences, and partially what I have been taught by my parents and peers. However, my worldview as an American differs from that of a Britian. Therefore, we must ask big questions and see perspectives from all different angles. There are three categories of worldview: atheistic, spiritualistic, and religious. An atheistic point of view means that there is a not a belief in god(s). They also believe that they will pave their own way and are responsible for how they want to live. Furthermore, they believe that there is no life after death. Spiritualistic worldview acknowledges that there is a higher power, and they are responsible for their pa...

  Cultural History Click here for more important dates in Britian's history 1.        The Irish Potato Famine (1845-50): During the famine, approximately a million people in Ireland died of starvation from this cruel epidemic according to an article from BBC . However, also during this period, over two million people from Ireland emigrated to different countries to escape starvation. This killed about one-eighth of the Irish population. Blight had destroyed the potato crop that was supposed to account for 60 percent of the population’s food source. This created a huge food gap leading to the start of this famine. Many other countries tried to help to reduce this famine. The imports were three times more than the exports. They were sending in grains and other food sources to help reduce the untimely deaths of many Irish people. This event and the lack of the British government’s support, drove Ireland to want gain independence.  2.  ...