What it’s like going to UF as a Brit
Oi where the Natty at?
Going from the middle of the countryside in Yorkshire, England to Florida for college was a bit of a culture shock. Living my whole life in Yorkshire, I grew up spending any free time with my family on the farm so when I flew alone for the first time to my new home in America, I was understandably bricking it.
Americans easily fall for British stereotypes
We’ve all heard the stereotypes about people from other countries, but it was not until college I realized people actually assume they are deadly serious. I regularly disappoint wide eyed US citizens with the revelation I don’t drink tea 24 hours a day, and that England doesn’t just consist of London. Initially, the stereotype questions are funny, but after your roommate decides to use ‘pip pip cheerio’ every time you leave a room, they grow a little tired.
Parties at UF are just like the movies
Even if I studied at a small private college in America, the parties would STILL be just like the movies. Every party is filled with red cups and beer pong. I know British nights outs aren’t exactly known for their classiness, but the American nights out are something else. It took me a few nights out to realize that when a guy asks you to dance, it doesn’t mean he actually wants to dance, it means he is going to grind against you sweatily for the rest of the night. Seriously, American’s don’t do any form of dancing — they just grind.
Red solo cups always everywhere
The food is unreal
I love a big greasy fry up as much as the next Brit, but I couldn’t eat it daily — they’re more of a hungover Sunday treat. Not like the Americans who without fail enjoy endless breakfast bagels (basically a Sausage and egg McMuffin), followed by pancakes, “breakfast cake” and then all swilled down with a glass of coke every single day. The Freshman 15 is real.
Once you get past all this though, UF is amazing: it’s 12 months of sunburn, adventure and actually getting complimented on your “cute British accent” rather than the banter you get at home for being so Northern.
God bless you America