Banking in the land of Shakespeare?

Shara's POV:

To bank or not to bank? 

This was one of the first questions I asked myself when I arrived in the UK.  The advantages were being able to write checks, not losing the value of my money due to fluctuating exchange rates and it would be close at hand.  However, it meant that in times of need, such as paying my credit card bill, my parents here in the States would not have had access to my account.  Credit card companies like money. Access was necessary.  It also meant that when I began running out of money, they wouldn't have had as easy of a time transferring much needed emergency funds into my account.  Food is necessary and unfortunately, money is needed for food!

In the end, I decided to to leave my money in my home bank and I added my Mom to the account so she could easily take care of any issues and problems I had.  This choice really had it's plus and minuses.  As mentioned, the biggest plus was having the availability to pay bills however, I lost money much more quickly.  At the beginning of my year there, the exchange rate was $1.50 to 1 British Pound, however, by midway through the year it had changed to about $2 to 1 British Pound.  It doesn't sound like a huge difference, but as you're spending money in the UK, it dwindles much more quickly and by the last two months I was completely out of funds.  I think in hindsight, I would have opened a bank account and transferred some money, but also left a good deal in my home bank.  The money in the UK could be used as spending money and the money at home for bills and hopefully a cushion for my return home. 

Just a note, you don't need to open a bank account to pay for the fees to the University.  These can actually, if you prepare your home bank and the University in advance, be transferred over quite easily. I just contacted the office before I went over to ask how they wanted to work out the payments and then discussed it with my bank.  The bank needs warning or they think your account is being tampered with. They frown on tampering.  When I arrived in England I went to the office to finalize everything and it all worked out just fine.  Also, if you are studying abroad and not going as an international student, you want to check with your own University.  They might prefer you pay them and they send the checks off to the British institution. 

Ultimately research of your bank here, the banks in the UK (such as Barclays, Lloyd's of London, NatWest, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, etc) and your specific needs will help you choose which path to take.  The question I put to you is, which way are you leaning?

-S.

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Money Matters - Banking (Lauren's POV)

Bath

Bath (Part Two but posted first. I like to be contrary. In Part One I will discuss Bath’s main attractions.)
 
You might well wonder if I’m not referring to personal hygiene. No. Nor am I referring to the giant porcelain tub in your home. This is not about home renovations or installing fixtures. I am referring to the beautiful city found on the southwest coast of England.

Bath, located in Somerset County, is rich with history and culture. The city is best known for the Roman Baths located on the main drag and while the baths, the museum and Bath Abbey are definitely must sees if you are visiting this area, today I would like to speak a little about the shops and interesting finds you can discover here.

One of my favorite little hole-in-the wall finds (that happens to be part of a VERY small but successful chain) is called Ben’s Cookies. They are located on a side street and have the most mouthwatering, delicious cookies I’ve ever had. They differ from the average cookie due to the almost cake like texture. I’ve never had anything like it, and miss these cookies greatly. Truly amazing.

 Another gem is a beautiful tearoom called Hands of Bath.  They have an absolutely lovely cream tea (tea served with a scone, clotted cream, and strawberry preserves). It isn’t fussy or particularly grand, but you are sure have a relaxing rest from touring the city.

Now, don’t forget to scope out the live statues situated around the baths. They somehow manage to paint and clothe themselves in colors almost exactly matching the bath limestone used in the buildings.  Some are quite serious and others like to play with the tourists. They tend to be one of those unique little quirks that are fun to find in a new city.

Also, if you are a Jane Austen fan like myself, it’s fun to just wander around the central area down pokey little streets and alleys. The whole area, despite being filled with modern shops such as House of Fraser, Lush, and Monsoon, retains its aura of Regency glory. Many of her books had scenes based in this wonderful city. It is often used in Austen films considering, I imagine, that it’s rather difficult to reproduce. I still maintain that one of the streets near the baths was featured in a pivotal scene in Persuasion where Anne grabs Captain Wentworth before he leaves. It was exciting to see and yes, I’m an Austen geek. Somewhere I have a photo of that street!

Wandering can be the best way to discover your own finds. You may be attracted to some other little shop or the Postal Museum, or a graffiti covered wall like a coworker of mine. One of my favorites was an AWESOME Oxfam (like Goodwill) bookstore right as you are walking toward all the shops.  I found some hard to find books there! It’s all about your interest and what you like. Go explore.

 -S.

One of my favorite places…Nando's!

Nando's!!!

I’d like to wax poetic about a little (BIG) chain of restaurants in the UK called Nando’s!  Now, if you are residing in or around Washington DC or Maryland, you may have seen/eaten here. It came to the US a few years ago, but still hasn’t made it out of DC and Maryland yet. Sad.

Moving on, this gem is an inexpensive but tasty place to eat. They tout themselves as a Portuguese grilled chicken restaurant. I don’t know whether or not it’s particularly Portuguese and I don’t care. All I know is I LOVE their food. They have a variety of heat levels that range from the wimpiest Lemon and Herb (that’s herb with an ‘H’…if you say ‘erb,’ they look at you like you’ve sprouted wings) to Extra Hot. Just about everything is chicken, though they have some Vegetarian fare and one beef option, though why you’d choose beef is beyond me. And this is coming from a confirmed beef lover.

My dinner of choice: Lemon and Herb Chicken Breast Burger, a side of chips and some Perinaise (Peri-Peri sauce is their signature sauce that comes in a variety of heat levels, though only one is used for the Peri-Peri mayonnaise). I’m in heaven just thinking about it.

If you haven’t tried it, give it a whirl while you're in the UK. I won’t guarantee you’ll love it, but you might and that in and of itself is worth it.

Check out Nando's!

-S.

Gobble gobble gobble...

Turkey Day!!!

Turkey is generally available as Christmas is right around the corner and even cranberry sauce (otherwise known as cranberry relish) can be found at your local grocery store. However, creating a feast for just you is not only expensive and time consuming, it’s also depressing. By this point, you have undoubtedly made friends at your university, whether they be of American persuasion or not, and most would be more than happy to have a reason to throw a party. Here’s their opportunity!  

My second year in Bristol, my Bahamian friend and I were both sad that we would not be spending Thanksgiving with our families. After our friends found out, they decided it would be great fun to host a Thanksgiving at the house they were sharing. We also decided to invite some other friends to join the celebration. I cooked turkey, my Bahamian friend roasted broccoli with cheese, another friend roasted parsnips and carrots, another cooked potatoes, one friend fried plantains and the last, but certainly not least, made filet mignon with mushrooms in a red wine reduction. Wow. After gorging ourselves for over an hour, we flopped down on my friend's queen size bed and told stories and sang silly songs and danced around the room. No, this wasn’t quite the typical Thanksgiving, but it was the most entertaining one I’ve ever had the pleasure to be a part of.  

There’s also the possibility, if you are lucky enough, that the Warden (that’s like a Resident Director) of the hall you are staying in decides to throw a feast in his/or her American students’ honor. This is precisely what occurred my first year in Bristol.  He took one of the formal Fridays (this is a weekly occurrence at Wills Hall in Bristol) and made it a Thanksgiving theme. The three Americans staying at the hall were the guests of honor and were asked to sit at the head table. What we didn't know until dinner was well under way, was that he had invited Chelsea Clinton, who was studying at Oxford at the time, to come  join us. She didn't.  But we had a very tasty meal all the same. They made us turkey and stuffing and all things Thanksgiving. It was a lovely gesture and we all appreciated it...especially since we didn’t have kitchens to create our own.  

I must admit that out of the two, the Thanksgiving with friends was the most enjoyable, but I appreciate the one given by my hall all the more because it was done out of the kindness of his heart. I'm sure Chelsea Clinton didn't factor into the equation at all! 

-S.

Mind the Gap - Part II

Etiquette

If your experiences using the city buses and university-owned shuttles at school are anything like mine were, they may go a little like the following:

It’s the end of class and you need to get across campus to your next lecture that starts in fifteen minutes. You walk to the bus stop where there are already people waiting. There might be some semblance of a line, but most of the time it’s a clump of people standing around. Once you reach the bus stop, you try to determine where you want to stand because you’re hoping the spot you choose happens to be the exact location of the bus or shuttle doors so you can make sure you get on before the driver deems it too full to accept any more passengers. When the bus pulls up, everyone else has the same notion and tries to shift to this “golden spot.” At this point, there probably isn’t any type of line at all and there’s a free-for-all mentality. You see people walk up and stand near the front of the clump, and you think to yourself, If that person makes it on and I don’t, I’m going to be pretty upset. The bus pulls up, the doors open, and someone will try to walk up the steps before the people trying to get off can make it down. He or she probably gets yelled at by the driver. After the last person gets off people start filing into the bus, filling the seats. Once the seats are full, then the standing passengers move down to the end of the bus so that more people can fit. At this point you’ve either made it on or will have to wait for the next bus.

Even though there is usually some chaos in these situations, there is a protocol for using the buses. People getting off at the stop should be allowed to exit before the people entering; if there are many students waiting to use the bus, passengers should squeeze into open spots to make more room; etc. Many of the same rules apply to the Tube in London (along with any other public transportation). For those who have used subways before this information may be old news, but there are some things to remember when using the Tube:

The left side of the escalator is designated for those who want to walk and get to the top or bottom faster; the right side is for those who want to stand and wait. Probably the biggest way to look like a newbie is to stand stationary on the left side of the escalator. Most likely a line of people in a hurry will form behind you, and you’ll experience throat clearing, exasperated sighs, or perhaps a few dirty looks. So if you’re in a rush, walk up the left side. If you’re not, then stand to the right and enjoy the multitude of advertisements on the walls. This was a new concept for me. I didn’t experience any death glares, but during my first trip I was gently instructed by a family member (a local) to stand aside when someone came up behind me.

Let the passengers exiting get off the train before you try to get on. As with buses, it’s polite to let them leave before entering. There will be enough time for you to wait and make it on the train before it leaves the station. Although, this doesn’t seem to stop some people (for some reason usually with rolling suitcases) from barging past other people to get on as soon as the doors open.

Make room. Once again as with buses, if it is rush hour and there are a lot of people waiting, shift down the train car so that more people can fit. In college it was always aggravating to see huge gaps of standing-room space on a bus pulling away because someone hadn’t shifted down to make more room. The same can be said of the Tube.

Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll have a much nicer Tube experience. Plus, there is no need to search for the “golden spot,” as the door spots are marked on the platform.

-L.

Father Christmas and Roasting Chestnuts

Spending Christmas in the UK can be rather difficult for students studying abroad.  If you are one of the precious few who can afford to fly back home (and want to) then good for you! Now stop reading.

However, if you can’t go home due to income restraints or don’t particularly want to spend your holiday with crazy Aunt Beth or drunk Uncle Tom (and who could blame you), then there are several avenues for you to follow!

The first: You are by yourself and your friends have all gone home. This is the most difficult of the three.  It’s hard to not have anyone to spend Christmas with and being a Christmas lover, I found it especially difficult.  My second year abroad I was by myself.  Instead of crying in my eggnog and listening to “All by Myself” playing over and over a la Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones’ Diary, I went out and bought a two foot pre-lit Christmas Tree, a mini bottle of champagne, and some thrift store decorations. I decorated the tree, roasted duck breasts (overcooked actually), and had mimosas.  It was actually pretty fun!  I took a walk and talked to friends over the phone and wasn’t too heartbroken.  You just need to think outside of the box and fill your room/flat with enough comforts and treats to get you through holiday.  It became one of my favorite memories.

The second: Your English friend has invited you to visit with his/her family over the holidays.  It’s important to keep an open mind here.  You are not with your own family and these are not your traditions but that doesn’t make them any less entertaining as long as you expect nothing more than to enjoy yourself.  It’s a great way to learn more about the culture and to ensure that you make some lasting memories!  It also gives you the opportunity to explore parts of the country you might never have visited and if worse comes to worse, it can make an interesting story.

The third: Your friends from home come to visit you!  This can be heartwarmingly lovely or teeth-grindingly nightmarish.  My first year abroad, my best friend from the US and her other best friend (who I had never met…) flew to England to spend Christmas with me.  After making a lovely mess decorating gingerbread houses (see the amazing creations below...mine's on the left) and opening presents, we went to stay with my English friend and her family in London.  And while it was lovely to see them, I found it difficult to completely welcome them.  It was my experience and they had the misfortune to intrude.  It took a day for me to realize that England doesn’t belong to me! Groundbreaking! Once I shifted my attitude around a bit, things ran much more smoothly and I found myself glad that they came.  Remember that while they are there to see you, England is running a close second.  Or you are just the excuse.  Either way, it’s not all about you!

Whichever of these scenarios you happen to fall into, try to be flexible and open.  Only then will you have a pleasant holiday with little to no homesickness. Have a Happy Chrimbo!

-S.

Mind the Gap – Part I

“Mind the gap.”

(source)

If you’re going to be living in or around London, you’ll be hearing this phrase a lot. Even if you aren’t going to be studying in London, there’s a good chance that you’ll visit the city for fun or for travel through the Heathrow or Gatwick airports. Whatever your reason for being in the city, the most economical and easiest way to get around London proper is through the Tube, or the Underground. The Tube is London’s subway system that runs through the heart of the city all the way to the suburbs (picture New York’s subway). It’s convenient for many reasons: it’s a cheap form of transportation; it has many stops around landmarks, tourist destinations, and major parts of the city; and well, it’s more fun (and usually faster) than waiting around for a bus.

“Mind the gap” is a warning to passengers regarding the gap between the subway train and the station platform. Upon arriving at a stop, the doors open, and a pleasant-sounding recorded voice reminds you to watch your step. It’s also painted on the edge of each platform as a visual cue. If you use the Tube enough, the phrase might become engrained in your psyche, and you might find yourself mouthing the words before the voice comes on over the intercom. The expression is so popular that it has entered into British popular culture. There are even souvenir items like shirts with the Underground logo and words “Mind the Gap” printed on them. Probably not the best gift option for the uninitiated though. Imagine going home and giving such a shirt to a friend who has never heard the phrase:

You: “Here, I bought this for you. Isn’t it funny?”

Friend: “Oh cool, thanks!”

          [Looks at shirt]

“…I don’t get it.”

-L.

Hiya

Ladies and Gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts. We'll be landing shortly...

Our blog is designed just for you: the first-time study abroad student in the UK. We're here to help you prepare for the most unique experience of your life. As former study abroad students, we'll share tips and ideas, as well as personal stories from our time in the UK. So grab a cuppa and let's get going!

-Shara and Lauren