After a few weeks studying at the University of Leeds, there are a couple experiences that have left me with culture shock. Culture shock is the uncertainty or disorientation a person feels when they are surrounded by an unfamiliar way of life and/or set of attitudes. I have listed some of the aspects of daily life that I have had to adjust to in my time here.
Roads
It is no surprise that a country that drives on the left side of the road would be confusing to an American who drives on the right side of the road. However, roads have surprised me even as a pedestrian. At many crosswalks, the stop light is next to you rather than across the street from you. You usually have to press a button for the light to turn green for you, which is rare in the US. Jaywalking is super common here, and I have seen large groups of people crossing at a red light even when there is a car coming in the distance. It took me a while to get used to where I was supposed to look for the stop light, so I would follow these groups and unintentionally jaywalk in my first couple days.
Accommodation
Just like I am curious to learn about British culture and life, British people are curious about American life. I get asked about student life in Philadelphia, and dorms eventually come up in conversation. In England, students do not have roommates, they have “flatmates.” Sharing a room with a random person you are paired up with is unheard of, and instead you have your own bedroom (for a higher price you can get your own bathroom as well) and you share a kitchen with a several other people. When I explain how dorms are in the US, people are shocked. It is unimaginable for them to sleep a few feet away from a stranger and trust them to have access to all their belongings. I did not think much of this before, but now I feel it is a little strange as well.
Weather
Weather is not commonly discussed when talking about culture shock, but it can take some time to adjust to if it is different enough from what you are comfortable with. I came to England in September, so it was still sunny and around 80 degrees in Philadelphia. My first week in Leeds, it was raining most of the time and in the 50s. This was a big change for me, so I wearing a coat and still freezing. What was even more shocking was that people were casually walking in the rain with no raincoat or umbrella. It is common for it to briefly rain unexpectedly during the day, so people seem so accustomed to it that they don’t feel a need to prepare.
Politeness
Being polite is a valued trait in the US, but it seems to be even bigger in the England. One thing that stood out to me is almost every person says “thank you” or “cheers” to the bus driver when getting on and off the bus. This happens in Philadelphia as well, but only a handful of people do it. I have been thanking the driver every time I get off the bus here, but I realize how important it is to show appreciation to others and will continue it even after study abroad.
Food
British food gets a bad rep internationally, but it has surprisingly grown on me. I have tried fish and chips, Sunday roast, full English breakfast, and biscuits with tea. While these dishes have less sweet/spicy flavors than what I’m used to in the US, they are good because of their simplicity. I realized that there is a time and place for every type of cuisine, and their differences can be appreciated simultaneously. Sometimes you may not crave a dish that’s super heavy and flavorful and prefer something light or fresh. It should be noted that the England has many immigrants, and there is plenty of foreign cuisine rich in flavor. Chicken tikka masala has Bangladeshi origin, but it is a favorite among the British and has been named a national dish in the UK.
Alcohol
As a 20-year-old, it is illegal for me to drink in the US, so imagine my surprise when I saw alcohol was provided on the university’s campus. During my schools’ induction week, there was a welcome event that said it would serve drinks. In the US, this would include juice, soda, or lemonade, but they were serving red and white wine when it was only 2 PM. Some university societies host weekly socials where they throw a house party or go clubbing. The most respected tradition is the Otely Run, where members dress up based on a theme picked by the society, such as “Anything but Clothes” or “Film Characters,” and you spend all of Saturday crawling between up to 19 pubs. All that is to say, drinking is a big part of going out and having fun, but I have never felt pressured to drink when I did not want to. There are over 300 student societies ranging from Baking Society to Sailing Club, so you are sure to find your niche if you come to Leeds.
Despite the culture shock I occasionally feel while I am here, the differences between the US and England have not been overwhelming to me. Overall, they are both English-speaking countries with democratic values and have large immigrant populations with a variety of cultures. After studying abroad in the England and meeting countless international students, I realize we have our differences, but at the end of the day, we are all people with similar aspirations in life and can learn from each other if we are willing to listen.
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