Language

The UK is the world's leading destination for English language study.  Hardly surprising given that it is the country of its birth.   When you first arrive in the UK, you may find constantly communicating in English difficult or tiring. However many international students often find that being encouraged to communicate in English can help them to improve their English language skills more quickly.

Whilst English may be the common language, in Wales people can be heard speaking in Welsh and although less common, Gaelic is still used within the highlands and islands of Scotland and in parts of Ireland.  Even within England there are a lot of different regional dialects.  For instance, Geordie is spoken in the Newcastle area, whilst people from the South West may speak with a West Country accent.  Although some regional dialects can be hard to understand at first, there are part of what makes the UK such an interesting and diverse study destination.

Cultural differences

At home in your own country, there are probably many customs, habits and social rules that you naturally follow without having to think about  because you are so used to them and they form part of your everyday life.  These vary from culture to culture, and it is these differences that makes visiting and living in another country such an interesting and educational experience. When you come to the UK you will notice a difference in the way people dress, greet each other, practise religion, express their opinion and even how they treat animals. It is a good idea to prepare yourself for any cultural difference by reading as much as you can about the UK before you leave.