With the dust somewhat settled on the recent U.K. referendum, we have seen many of the immediate effects of a “Brexit” from the European Union. Lots of questions about the future still remain and they will continue to do so until British legislation is officially put into place. Beyond the many effects on the economy, Britain’s relationships with other European countries, and the future status of the “United Kingdom” itself, there lies a much different effect on American study abroad students.
This past semester, I spent four months studying abroad at Harlaxton College, the #1 study abroad program in the United States, located in Grantham, England. The biggest topic of the semester, of course, was the referendum, which would take place two months after our departure. That timeline didn’t stop us from shaping opinions and predictions about the future of Britain. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of five things that could be different for students studying abroad in the U.K. in the future.
1. Even stronger border control processes
This was one of the main reasons for the U.K. wanting to leave the EU in the first place: to have more control on its borders. Now, this doesn’t mean that you won’t still be able to travel throughout Europe with your immigration letter and/or student visa constantly on hand, but rather, your work to get back into the U.K. after a weekend of being in Paris, France, or Barcelona, Spain, may be just a bit more than before.
2. Discounts for being a student in the EU
Let’s just say that my Harlaxton I.D. saved me loads of money when it came to paying for entrance fees to many top tourist sites. With the U.K. no longer a part of the EU, those discounts could quickly disappear for students studying at a program in the U.K.
3. The stability of the pound coin
As the votes were being counted, we saw the immediate effects of the drop in the British Pound. Recognized as one of the most stable monetary units in the world, this drop caused a panic on the future of the pound coin. This could create some uncertainty in exchange rates and overall inflation rates in the near and far future.
4. A stronger belief in and demonstration of British identity
With European countries being so close together, distinctness between cultures has sometimes been hard to establish. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are definitely strong differences between many European countries and their identities, but for those that seemed inherently the same, we may begin to see a more distinctly “British” culture.
5. The accessibility of very cheap transportation
This is my final prediction because it is the boldest and most uncertain one. With the possible relationship changes that lie ahead between countries in the EU and the U.K., we could see some changes in the extremely cheap flights that dominate the European culture. The $25 roundtrip flight that I had for a weekend to Dublin, Ireland, may no longer be a thing. For the sake of future study abroad students, I hope this one doesn’t end up becoming true because, honestly, those fantastically cheap flights are what allowed me to see nine countries in only four months.
Even after all of this , I am still a firm believer in the impact of spending a semester outside of the U.S. I do not discredit the experience of traveling and immersing oneself in the European culture for even a short amount of time simply because of the changes that lie ahead for the U.K. There is so much of the world to explore and learn about; just be fully aware that the future of the U.K. may never be the same.
