Hello! I'm American, and I'll be moving to London in August for grad school. I'd love to "meet" some other writers on here before I jump the pond! Any other Londoners, native or transplant?
Watch the "Why British Hate Immigrants" and "work visas" videos, if you want to stay in London after you graduate: https://www.youtube.com/user/naveregnide/search?query=visa
British vs. American playlist videos are educational, if interested: https://www.youtube.com/user/naveregnide/playlists
Helix: I think the video author's comments are valid concerns to know, whether you find his opinions stupid or not is your opinion.
I would say it's not a question of validity as much as intensity. If someone says they are going to NYC do you immediately tell them people get raped in Central Park, and you will probably get robbed? London is a lovely city, mix in some positives lol
I think the author's intensity had purpose. He felt, at the time, like he had little going for him, because the government turned the screws on him. In a later video, he speaks of acquiring a new visa for long term. I think he discusses it in the work visa video, but I forget. I haven't watched that video in a good while.
No question, there are wonderful things about London. There are nasty bits too. It's important to know how to swim before cannonballing into the deep end of the pool.
Here are some videos that may be of use, if you know nothing of living in modern-day London....
In case you did not know of the crime trend of moped robberies in London, https://theconversation.com/five-fa...e-according-to-an-expert-in-criminology-86707
London moped attack example (watch for two guys on one moped coming up, and throw keys on the ground, away from attackers, if you ever find yourself in this situation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoOdvvFkXaI
Watch this video from 3:25 to 4:02 for some info on stores in winter and more on moped crime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy4Q6eQYHIg&t=6s
Watch the "Why British Hate Immigrants" and "work visas" videos, if you want to stay in London after you graduate: https://www.youtube.com/user/naveregnide/search?query=visa
British vs. American playlist videos are educational, if interested: https://www.youtube.com/user/naveregnide/playlists
Read up on the Higher Education and Research Act of 2017. Higher education institutions are deemed "higher education corporations." I think the public got fed up with government paying for citizens to go to school. I think it's an attempt to privatize higher education. Higher education is a different animal in England today.
There are different traditions you will need to learn about going to school in England, such as Michaelmas (first day of school at Cambridge, I believe). Other schools follow this, and not just in England. Check your school's academic calendar; at least know what Michaelmas is.
Look up Freshers Week, I think this is germane to undergraduate only, but I do not know. There's a lot of partying, so expect a lot of irresponsible kids, on campus, doing irresponsible things being away from parents for the first time.
I think the author's intensity had purpose. He felt, at the time, like he had little going for him, because the government turned the screws on him. In a later video, he speaks of acquiring a new visa for long term. I think he discusses it in the work visa video, but I forget. I haven't watched that video in a good while.
No question, there are wonderful things about London. There are nasty bits too. It's important to know how to swim before cannonballing into the deep end of the pool.
For context, I'm from London and lived there most of my life, but have now moved away. My eldest is at Imperial College in South Kensington.
As cities go, London is incredibly safe and secure. Moped attacks are very rare. They make the news because they are so unusual.
We British do not hate immigrants. We love them, on the whole. And London is far more inclusive than much of the rest of the country. Immigrants have made our country what it is today, and having a culturally and racially diverse population makes for a much more interesting place. Yes, there are some people who are racist bigots but they're rare, particularly in London, where diversity is the norm.
I have no idea what Michelmas is, and my eldest doesn't either. It might be important at Cambridge but Cambridge is an odd place, full of ritual and tradition. It really isn't representative of the rest of the UK.
Freshers Week is not necessarily full of "irresponsible kids". It's a week full of special events, which is organised in order to allow new students to hit the ground running. It's an incredibly busy time. It gives them an introduction to their new university, shows them where everything is and how everything works, introduces them to all the societies and sporting activities available to them (for example, Imperial College has an Assassins' Club, where team members have to plan to "assassinate" other team members without actually hurting them for real: it's amazing what they get up to and it's a brilliant example of creative thought put into action).
Note also that the London universities are not campus universities. They are almost all part of the city around them, and not cut off from the rest of London's population.
He might have felt that our Government "turned the screws on him" but the terms of a student visa are clearly defined, and tuition fees are made clear before one even applies to any of our universities: it's not like they're kept hidden until you've committed to come here.
You do seem to have a very negative view of London that does not match my experience of the place, or those of my friends.
Anyway. I'm derailing.
OP, have a wonderful time in London. Prepare to work very hard, and make the very most of your time. It's a fabulous, inspiring city full of opportunities and excitement.
Seriously jealous ...It's a fabulous, inspiring city full of opportunities and excitement.
Hello! I'm American, and I'll be moving to London in August for grad school. I'd love to "meet" some other writers on here before I jump the pond! Any other Londoners, native or transplant?
Moped attacks are very rare. They make the news because they are so unusual.
We British do not hate immigrants. We love them, on the whole.
I have no idea what Michelmas is, and my eldest doesn't either. It might be important at Cambridge but Cambridge is an odd place, full of ritual and tradition. It really isn't representative of the rest of the UK.
Freshers Week is not necessarily full of "irresponsible kids". It's a week full of special events, which is organised in order to allow new students to hit the ground running. It's an incredibly busy time. It gives them an introduction to their new university, shows them where everything is and how everything works, introduces them to all the societies and sporting activities available to them (for example, Imperial College has an Assassins' Club, where team members have to plan to "assassinate" other team members without actually hurting them for real: it's amazing what they get up to and it's a brilliant example of creative thought put into action).
He might have felt that our Government "turned the screws on him" but the terms of a student visa are clearly defined, and tuition fees are made clear before one even applies to any of our universities: it's not like they're kept hidden until you've committed to come here.
You do seem to have a very negative view of London that does not match my experience of the place, or those of my friends.
He said, "Now in America, I'm a first class citizen. I'm a white, straight male. How much more privileged can I get? However, interestingly enough, that's not enough in the UK. Because I'm American, I'm actually heavily discriminated against."
Definitely a pillock.
Grad school in the US is usually a 22 plus age person up to early 30s.
A link to his video, sans explanation, might not be the best hook to hang your advice up on then...You'd have to watch a considerable amount of Evan's content to see when he is joking and when he is serious..
A link to his video, sans explanation, might not be the best hook to hang your advice up on then...