Having just spent the weekend in Bristol with one of my best friends, I felt like I truly got a taste of what it would be like to go to a university in the UK. When I was choosing what university to go to, I knew America was for me, and even after traveling up and down the country for "open days" for the British universities, I still wanted to go to America. But, did I make the right choice?
I’ve decided to put this to the test by letting British and American universities go head to head on some extremely important factors for any 18-year-old choosing where they are going to spend the next three or more years at.
1. Sports
This has to be number one, and I think there is no question of who wins this category. As a field hockey player in America, I clearly think America is better for the sport, but here is why. The biggest American football schools in the U.S. hold in excess of 100,000 students! That’s more than Wembley Stadium. The sport is way more serious out there, and being on a team is incredible. You can play in an NCAA championship, play on amazing facilities and get your laundry done for you, all on top of all the free stuff you get! However, what is really important when in comes to the sport is the tailgating. For Brits reading this, tailgating is where you get together before and/or after the game and "get pumped" by eating and drinking out of the back of the car.
2. Bars and pubs
From my months spent in America, I have come to the conclusion that Americans do not know how to do pubs. Sports bars and pubs are totally different things. There is no such thing as a "Spoons" in the U.S. (sort of a good thing maybe?). If you are unaware what a "Spoons" is, it is a great place to get cheap alcohol, and the sticky toffee pudding in there is fabulous. But for Americans, getting a pub-like atmosphere is just something they have not managed to achieve. I live in hope that day will it come, but even if it does, the type of beer they sell is Bud Light, (need I say more). The most awful part of it is, even if there was a good bar or pub that sold decent beer and cider, I couldn’t experience it because of the wonderfully high drinking age. British universities win this one.
3. Over 21 vs. over 18
When I first arrived in the U.S. and realized that I would not be able to buy alcohol again, it made me feel like I was back in in year 9 (Eighth grade), and I will continue to have that awkward feeling of having to ask a 21-year-old to buy me alcohol for a while yet. I had suddenly gone from being very mature and being able to legally buy a pint to back to asking that embarrassing question. As an athlete, we are fortunate that our wonderful team usually takes care of that, but I am still confused as to how everyone else sources their drink, even being on a team, no matter how many times it happens, I am still going to find asking for alcohol awkward.
4. Weather
If you go to a university in London, you may experience some warmth and sunshine, but more likely rain and clouds. I can’t even begin to imagine what it is like up North. Then, even when it gets warm, it’s generally very mild. You will need a jumper (sweater) just in case. But from late April onward, in America, it's sunny, and as soon as the sun comes out, people feel happy. Suddenly, life is a little bit better until it reaches August, then it becomes unbearable for six weeks for those not used to it. However, in the U.S., when it gets cold, again you experience the extreme nature of the country, but with the perk that at least it snows. Although the weather is extreme and somewhat hard to handle sometimes, I like the hot summers and the snow in the winter.
5. Beer Pong
As a game that originated from America, you would expect the Americans to be better than the Brits. I am the acceptation to that rule, but I would have to agree, overall. This game isn’t just played as a game to drink quickly to. No, it is way more serious than that. A highly competitive, highly skilled team game that is not to be taken lightly, I never knew there were so many rules to beer pong and different versions of it, but despite all this, I love it. In the UK, beer pong in red cups is seen as typical "American," and maybe that is why it is not so popular, but I think for overall drinking games, including beer pong, Americans come out on top.
6. Food
America does not do fish and chips, and that is a deal breaker. If you are looking for fries, burgers, pizza, excessive portions and unimaginable combinations of sugar, then the U.S. is the place to be. However, one of the home comforts I missed the most when being away from the UK was fish and chips on a Friday night, and that can't be replicated like it is in the UK. As a Southerner, I have not been exposed to a deep fried mars bar, and I would never put gravy on chips like they do up North, but excluding these two ridiculous ideas, the food in the UK is better.
7. Tea vs. coffee
This takes us on to what defines a Brit: the tea they drink. Earl Grey, being drunk by a slightly posh, well spoken and/or taste-conscious person. English Breakfast; a standard tea, can’t go wrong and should not ever be neglected (I recommend Yorkshire tea for this). Green Tea; being very health conscious, drinking it because it is good for you because actually it tastes like nothing, and White Tea; for the very elite few who have enough money to spend that amount on tea. But, that is about as complicated as it gets. However, when you cross the pond, it is a totally different ball game. “I’ll have one triple venti, skinny milk, half sweet, non-fat caramel Macchiato.” I mean, seriously, what even is that? Tea is the way forward.
8. Fancy dress and themed nights
Having a fancy dress party in Britain normally gets the reactions of “Eh, why would you do that, such effort, like I want to actually dress up and spend my student money on that, please I would way prefer to spend it on booze.” However, this is not the case in America. Suddenly, it becomes socially acceptable to take the themed costume to a whole new level and going all the way with the outfit is expected. I, personally, think if you are going to have a costume night, you may as well go the full mile or not bother.
So, overall, it is pretty close between the two. UK universities are better for decent pubs serving fish and chips on a Friday night and not having to ask someone over 21 for a drink. However, despite that, American universities offer amazing sports teams with great weather and themed costume nights with a game of beer pong. I am in favor (favour) of the American dream.
