American girl studying abroad in the UK, but where?

Question

so im from california, 18 and im planning on going next spring to the UK just so that i can see a different part of the world. i have the choice of going to ireland, scotland or england. not sure which is the best but i kinda wanna go to england so i can see london and other big cities, i myself am grew up near LA and i dont want to get bored in too rural a town. here are my choices for universities:
* University of Bristol

* University of East Anglia, Norwich
* University of Edinburgh
* University of Glasgow
* University of Kent, Canterbury
* University of Leeds
* King's College, University of London
* Queen Mary, University of London
* University of Manchester

* University of Sussex, Brighton
* University of Warwick, Coventry
* University of York
where should i go? i want to have fun and study but i dont really want to go to that hard of a school, i want to balance fun and travel with my schoolwork and experience the UK.
btw do UK guys like american girls at all and will i have a huge culture shock, i know we have different words for certain things, will i be able to understand ur accents?

Additional Details

is london that expensive compared to the other places

ill be taking premed courses, bio classes and chem mostly

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Hey there! I'm from California as well, and I studied for abroad in Wales actually. I absolutely LOVED my experience over there, in fact, I may try to apply for my D.Phil. over there as well. I traveled all over the place from Wales to Scotland, England, Ireland and outside the UK too: Italy, Germany, Morocco. You can find cheap flights out of Bristol or Manchester airport, and London as well. London is great, but you'll find it really expensive. My advice to you is to look for the best possible school to attend outside of London maybe. The Irish, Scots, and Welsh are the nicest people you'll ever meet! Glasgow is kind of dirty, Edinburgh is absolutely beautiful. Manchester is nice, as is York.

You will have some culture shock at first, it's normal. Though it's great to have american friends around, remember you left the country to meet OTHER people so try to meet as many other British or international people as you can. Join a few clubs (I did fencing!) and be prepared to have some wild alcohol nights out!

Also, yes, the stereotype is also true. It is damn cold and it rains fairly often lol! Dress warm. You will have a great time wherever you end up, I felt like it was coming home when I stayed in Britain. I even picked up a Welsh boyfriend as well ::laughs:: Good luck!!!

Source(s):

exchange program

Answer 2

A lot of my friends are at Kings college and I've heard it's quite hard to get in.

I guess if you've got the money to spend, you'd like London. It's really only good for restaurants and shopping.

Source(s):

I live in London.

Answer 3

It has to be Glasgow. It's not rural, it's a modern, lively city with great architecture, excellent nightlife and easy access to all of Scotland, including the world-renowned Highlands. There are several colleges and universities and a great student "scene" whichever one you choose.

There is absolutely no doubt WHATSOEVER that Scottish guys will love you and your accent. Scots are friendly and proud and therefore very happy to show you around our country and help you settle in.

Good luck!

Source(s):

My own life and experiences

Answer 4

Firstly, we don't call them schools, we call them universities. You then have schools within universities (Like facultys) ex: Kings College London, School of medicine.

I'm English and I think some American girls are alright, just can't stand the whiney accents from some parts. Yeah you'll have a culture shock - lot of things are different. Our Chocolate is a whole lot better though. We can buy alcohol at 18

Different unis have different requirements to get onto courses.
I live just outside of Brighton and the nightlife there is some of the best EVER!
Warwick uni is a HUGE uni - like one of the biggest in the country.

I wouldn't venture too far north of England....the accents get pretty "interesting" if you can't understand them. I'm english and can't understand all the Scottish accents around haha

The more mid and south (Manchester and south) accents are pretty ok.
Some unis are better at certain stuff than others. What are you planning on studying?

Answer 5

I suggest University of Glasgow or Edinburgh, because I just went to Scotland this summer and it is gorgeous and wonderful, especially the culture (and highlands, kilts, and bagpipes! :D) My cousin in Scotland also went to the University of Glasgow. England is also great, but it is quite common, especially if you just want to focus on your studies. English accents are quite easy to understand; Scottish isn't too hard to understand either.
Or otherwise, Ireland is a gorgeous emerald jewel. You may want to study there if you're particularly interested in culture, but I don't know much about Ireland or it's education. The Irish accent is a little hard, but it's still quite understandable (just listen to the hosts speak on Britain's Got Talent show!! ;D) Another reference to the Scottish accent: In Ugly Betty, Betty has a friend at work who supports her and has an awesome Scottish accent! :D)
So there you go. Hope I helped :D

Answer 6

It really depends on what you're studying, as different universities offer different courses. I spent last spring at Queen Mary and absolutely LOVED it. I also dated a British guy while I was over there, and we're still friends now that I'm back in the US. I found the accents easy to understand, and the biggest culture shock I experienced was the lack of Mexican food and good NY-style pizza.

Answer 7

If you are accustomed to California then you may find Scottish weather a bit hard to take.
I'd opt for Bristol - not as expensive as London and easier to get out of. London just goes on forever but has top flight universities. Too far from the sea for me.
Bristol has a population of around 600,000 so is a sizeable City - gateway to the West, fantastic history, good nightlife, theatres, shops.
Easy access to London by road and rail, but also to Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall
Get information from the Tourist Information Bureaus of the Cities in which you are interested to find out "What's On in xxxxxxx?" "What to do in xxxxxxx?" and see what each has to offer off campus.
I know the Uni is hot on physics but I'm out of touch with its provision for the other Sciences.

Answer 8

American = St Andrews,Scotland, where Prince William attended! (surely)!! Fun and beautiful town, lots of student life and close to 2 big cities for major nights out! (Edinburgh and Dundee)!

Answer 9

Firstly I think you have to consider that having crossed the Pond to England if you use your time to see other parts of Europe? Neither have you mentions what your studying as this may influence where you stay in England.

Because of this I would suggest Brighton, Manchester, or Warwick. Brighton is close to Gatwick Airport, Manchester has its own and Warwick is served by both Birmingham and East Midlands.

From any of the above you can visit Scotland, Ireland, Paris, Rome, Venice etc all at reasonable cost.

I do hope this has given you something to consider. Yes the English will like you, you are different and will attract them like bees to honey, be warned !

If you would like further details then contact me.

Source(s):

My friend from the US came on the exchange programme two years ago.

Answer 10

York or Manchester would be my choice (:
What about Newcastle University? The city is great and people are friendly, although the accent may be harder to understand but you would get used to it. :D

ooo and theres like a big shopping centre called metro centre to go shopinggg (:
and the queens grandaughter goes there :p

Answer 11

I'm American and I studied abroad at Queen Mary University and loved it. My school had an exchange program with them but I'm pretty sure you can apply independently even if your school doesn't. It is inexpensive and the classes were great. People in London are super friendly for the most part and the accents are definitely understandable. In terms of UK guys liking American girls... not so much haha at least, not in the way that Americans like the English accents. But don't worry, you'll have a blast!

Source(s):

http://www.universitylanguage.com/study-…