I'm about two months into my study abroad program in London, and I love it. I won't call myself a local, but at least I know better than to refer to "pants" in public (pants=trousers in American; pants=panties/underwear in Brit) and I can navigate the Tube like a pro. You can see that I've picked up some good lessons along the way:
1. England, Britain, and the UK all mean different things.
It’s confusing. You’ve got England (like with London), Wales, Ireland, North Ireland, and Scotland and different combinations of places. It’s a little like getting the Carolinas mixed up.
2. Cadbury beats Hershey’s any day.
Also, Jaffa Cakes are the bomb.com.
3. People won’t judge you for being American.
There are plenty of other things they can judge you for: not walking fast enough, not standing on the right side of the escalator, talking on the Tube, etc etc.
4. Some people are surprisingly bitter about the American Colonies leaving Britain.
It was almost three hundred years ago, folks.
5. It is so easy to travel and to go inexpensively.
Just go. Take a train to Scotland. Take an overnight bus to Paris. Take a flight to Vienna. The world is your oyster(card).
6. I wouldn’t mind living here.
Like, actually living in London. Like buying a flat, pursuing my career, and getting a Waitrose frequent shopper card. I’ve got time. I’ve got places to go, things to do, and an education to finish. But I think I would be happy if one day I decided to come back and settle down for good.