As someone who returned from her study abroad in England almost a year and a half ago, I'm still dying to reflect on my experiences and memories (and to return). I still crave the crisp English cider on draft and the picturesque city that lay steps outside my door. To provide myself (as well as some other people who have recently returned from study abroad in the U.K.) with a bit of catharsis, I've decided to compile a list of things that happen to every single American who studies abroad in England.
1. You take the touristy phone booth picture.
Even Tyra Banks made the girls of "ANTM" take the touristy pic.
2. Primark and New Look become your new favorite clothing stores.
But you have to be careful to stay under the weight limit for your flight back.
3. You develop a favorite British grocery store.
Whether it's Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, Sainsbury's, or Tesco, you definitely feel passionate about at least one of these.
4. You fall in love with the British accent.
5. You get the big question, "Whereabouts in America are you from?"
I live 45 minutes outside Boston and my two answers were "Boston, like Boston Strong and the Boston Red Sox!" and "Near New York City" (if they didn't get it).
6. And you get asked how many guns you own.
It's true, a lot of Europeans do believe the stereotype.
7. You fall in love with cider.
Even Strongbow, which is considered to be the Bud Light of the U.K.
8. And Cornish pasties.
9. Not to mention the British Indian food, which is incredible.
10. Actually, whoever said England doesn't have good food clearly hasn't been before.
11. You think "cheers" is way more charming than "thank you."
12. You tour SO MANY CASTLES.
It's like the most educational episode of "MTV Cribs" of all time.
13. You take an umbrella whenever you leave the house even if it's projected to be sunny all day.
Just a matter of habit.
14. You've become used to saying "football" and "American football."
15. And you know that "university" and "college" are separate places.
University in England = college in the U.S.
College in England = high school in the U.S.
16. The pubs and bars are quainter than any you've seen in the U.S.
Just plain cozy.
17. And you've definitely taken part in a pub quiz.
And failed miserably. Those Brits are smart.
18. You think "mind the gap" is much cuter than "stand clear of the closing doors."
So polite.
19. The coffee shops are out of this world.
Also, Costa and Caffe Nero have way cuter Christmas cups than Starbucks.
20. And the "late-night" food is incomparable.
You've never lived until you had post-club chips and cheese or poutine.
21. You impulsively booked a flight because it's just that cheap!
And you got used to the budget airlines, like RyanAir and EasyJet.
22. You'll never forget the months when you were an official Brit.
