Living in the UK
The UK is quite an informal nation, but you may find that it requires a little effort to adjust to your new environment as there may be some cultural differences. You might find the following helpful:
- British people are generally relaxed. There are relatively
few customs that have to be observed and many British people
are willing to chat casually to someone they have only just
met.
- You should, however, expect to find a queue when waiting
for a bus or for a service in a shop, and you will find that "please" and "thank
you" are widely used.
- It is important to be on time for all academic meetings
- lectures, seminars and tutorials.
- If your culture does not allow you to drink alcohol, you
may be worried if you are invited to go to a local pub (public
house or bar). Pubs are popular social meeting places and
soft drinks as well as alcohol are sold. Both men and women
may visit pubs if they are over the age of 18. There is no
waiter service and you pay for your drinks when you order
them.
- You will find that in the UK men and women mix easily.
British women are independent but although they mix freely
with men, this does not imply a willingness to enter into
sexual relationships.
- Goldsmiths participates in the HOST programme, a scheme
which enables international students to experience life in
a British home for a weekend. For further information,
see Host UK.
- For information on a broad range of social and cultural aspects of life in the UK, see ukstudentlife.com
Getting around London
We will give you maps of the local area and of Central London at the orientation, but we would recommend that you buy an ‘A-Z of London’ (street map) when you arrive. You can get a copy from bookshops and newsagents, and it will help you to find your way around.
Travelcards
You can make considerable savings on travel costs by buying a Travelcard, LT Card, Bus Pass, or student Oyster Photocard. There are discounts for full-time students, and we will provide details at enrolment. These are available at National Rail and Underground (’Tube’) stations and at some newsagents. Tube and National Rail Services within Greater London are divided into six zones and the cost of your ticket depends on the number of zones your journey covers. New Cross is in Zone 2.
Useful telephone numbers and web sites
Tel. 08457 48 49 50www.nationalrail.co.uk
London Travel (Buses and Underground)
Tel. 020 7222 1234www.tfl.gov.uk
European rail travel
Tel. 020 7834 2345
Visit London (Official tourist information service)
Tel.
0870 156 6366
www.visitlondon.com