Life at Goldsmiths

Alright, time for an update!  We got moved into our flat and have started welcome week activities at our university.  We are waiting on the Internet router to arrive at our new flat to have Internet access, but until then we have to walk to campus to use wi-fi.  Both Brandon and I have officially enrolled as students and have fancy new student IDs.  We have met some new friends and some staff, and have enjoyed the social gatherings organized by the university.

While getting to know our way around campus and town, we have noticed a few differences between college/life in the States versus here in Britain...

1) Since the legal drinking age is 18, alcohol is not only allowed on campus, but provided by the university at most of their sponsored events.  There is also a bar on campus that is student run.  It is open every night of the week and hosts frequent events.

2) Even though alcohol is allowed, being obviously drunk is socially frowned upon.  Everyone drinks, but everyone knows when to stop.  Drinking is a social event, not an excuse to get ranging drunk.

3) Everything happens a bit later than in the US...meaning we enrolled yesterday and classes still have not started yet (they start next week). As most of you know class in the US has been in session for over a month now.

4) One does not "line up" or get in a "line".....one must "queue" or get in the "queue"

5) Most things are smaller than in the US.  They drive tiny cars, roads are small, restaurants are tiny, our refrigerator is tiny, with freezer space that will barely hold an box of frozen food along with an ice tray.  Our flat is also very small, about the size of a hotel room.  I promise to post pics eventually, once we find a place for all our stuff and get settled.

6) Clothes dryers are not typically provided in homes.  We have a tiny little front loading washer, but no dryer.  So we are becoming creative in how we hang/dry our laundry.

7) Dates are written and spoken with the day first then the month: i.e. 25 September

8) The weather cannot be predicted, it could be sunny and in the mid-60s in the morning, and turn gloomy rainy by midday.

So needless to say, while there is a bit of culture shock moving to the UK and getting used to subtle differences, it is still really similar to college life in the States.

Finally, just wanted to let you know that we did get a chance to meet the Royal Couple...they were kind enough to stop by Goldsmiths welcome week and say hello to all the new students! :)

Kate and William at Goldsmiths!