Best Colleges in England for US Students
One of the best things for US students is to take the chance and study abroad for college. Part of the education you receive will be an adventure as well as you dive into a new geography, language, and culture. As an international student entering a new country, you’ll have to pick a school that caters to the needs and abilities of US students while still offering a foreign experience. Read below for some of the best colleges in England for US students that our customers recommend.
Best Universities in England for US Students
University of Oxford
Oxford is arguably one of the most famous colleges in the world. With this notoriety it also is on our list for top colleges in England for US students. It may even be the best colleges in all of Europe.
Founded in 1096, this school has been in operation for over 900 years. Since it’s foundation, over 26000 Americans have graduated from Oxford. This means Americans are the largest amount of graduates outside of the UK.
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Wellington Square
Oxford, OX1 2JD
United Kingdom
Imperial College London
One of the more modern schools in this list, the Imperial College London was founded in 1907 by royal charter. This college focuses on science, engineering, medicine, and business so if you want to study these it may be the right option in England.
With many exchange programs and full degree systems designed for Americans, Imperial College London is a great choice for US students.
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Exhibition Road
London, SW7 2AZ
United Kingdom
University College London
University College London was originally founded in 1826 as London University. Many people going to this school love life near the college. There is always something to do when you have a break from the studies. Many of these schools are located in London, but the University College London might have the best position of the bunch.
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Gower Street
London, WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom
King’s College London
Established by the king himself, King’s College London has one of the largest US student populations in England. With somewhere between one and two thousand US students, they double and sometimes triple the amount of any other school on this list. While we would recommend experiencing as much of a culture as you can, sometimes having a safety net helps the integration in a new country. In that case, King’s College London may be the right choice for you.
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Strand
London, WC2R 2LS
United Kingdom
University of Manchester
Located on the other side of England, the University of Manchester has many offerings to US students as well. One of the main benefits is that this school has the largest student body in England. With so many people, chances are you’ll be able to experience more while you are there.
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Oxford Rd
Manchester, M13 9PL
United Kingdom
Need to Move to One of The Best Colleges in England?
Ready to make one of these universities your destination school and want to bring goods or a vehicle with you? Moving abroad can seem intimidating. Luckily, Schumacher Cargo can help make the move to England a less complicated. So all you will have to worry about is what you’ll experience first!
For help moving to your new school in England, fill our Online Form or call in at (800) 599-0190
There are many great reasons for living in Italy as an American. Ultimately, it offers a great experience to both expats looking for work and to retire. However, there are pros and cons of living in Italy vs USA to look at first. Not all aspects of life will be better than in America and it is worth it to compare the differences.
Check out our article on the pros and cons for differences living in the Italy below!
Living in Italy: Pros and Cons Disclaimer
One disclaimer to start with is that there are differences in living all throughout Italy. Living in Rome, will be different than Milan, Naples, Turin, etc. For this reason, the differences between Italy and USA are broad and may not apply to every area in the country.
Pros of Living in Italy
There are many pros when living in Italy vs the USA. The fact that so many Americans are living there right now should be a testament to that. We’ve listed some of the many things that expats love when living here.
Amazing Food and Wine
The first things expats write to us about is the amazing food in Italy. Where else can you get the most authentic Italian food, than in the country that created it. From real handmade pastas to authentic margarita pizzas, you’ll be sure to have something incredible to eat here.
Culture and History
With it’s long history and great preservation, Italy retains some of the most famous pieces of history in the world. There are some of the greatest buildings still standing such as the Roman Coliseum or the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It is also home to legendary artists like da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio. In Italy, you’ll always be able to experience a little bit of the past anywhere you look.
Easy Home Buying Procedure
For countries like America, Italy offers a reciprocal home buying policy. This means that property is pretty straightforward to buy. Many countries make it much harder for foreigners to buy a home compared to Italy. It becomes much easier to live or retire in Italy if you have a permanent place to stay.
Cons of Living in Italy vs USA
Unfortunately, there are also cons when living in the Italy vs the USA. When living here, many Americans have experiences that are unappealing and detract from the overall experience. We’ve listed some of the many cons expats have told us they experienced while staying here.
Language Barrier for Many Americans
Many people can speak English in the main cities, but generally prefer to speak Italian. This means that when trying to communicate with locals, you may have a hard time. Though there are also many expat communities in Italy if you want to have an English speaking experience.
Expats Still Pay US Taxes
Given that you are an American expat in Italy, you still have to pay income tax to the USA if you make money. You can get rid of your US citizenship and become an Italian citizen, but that is a drastic way to avoid this. Most expats pay the taxes to both countries as many want to return in the future.
Employment Issues
If you are plan on moving here before employment you may have a harder time. Many spouses of expats try to look for work, but struggle to find jobs with the same ease they did in America. People retiring in Italy don’t have to worry about this issue, though it does end up being a big problem for some.
Want to Live in Italy
With the pros and cons of living in Italy, there are definitely reasons to move here. Even though there are downsides, nowhere is perfect. Italy has had a boom in Americans living there for good reason anyways.
If you are moving or thinking about moving, we at Schumacher Cargo Logistics can help you out. With over 40 years of experience, SCL is a premier moving company. From cars to full households, we can ship your goods door to door from the US to anywhere in the country. There are definitely more differences between Italy and the US, but we’ll let you experience the rest while you’re there.
To get started fill out our Online Quote Form or read another of our Italy guides below.
More Italy Guides
Many people wonder when the best times to move are in order to have the best moving experience. Interestingly enough, both the peak moving season and popular times to move are influenced by individual situations. The times that people move are similar because the issues are the same for each of them.
Read below about some of the peak times to move and the reasons they’re popular.
Why Summer is the Peak Moving Season
Once summer comes around, movers get into their peak moving season. This really starts to pick up around may and lasts all the way until the end of September.
Children being out of school is one of the main reasons that summer is such a popular time to move. Since they have just finished the school year, it’s much easier to move with kids. When moving during the summer, kids don’t have to enter a school mid-year and they can start fresh at a new one. This also includes the period where college kids may move to a new city or town to attend their university.
Another reason summer is the most popular time to move is because it is really difficult to move during other seasons. In some areas, dark or snow covered winters make it hard to even move at all.
When choosing a month to move in the peak season, you should start as early as possible. Some companies fill their space up months in advanced and they may be fully booked by the time you want to start.
Popular Days to Move in a Month
As a whole, every month has a similar set of popular days to move. These days are the weekends and the end of the month.
The weekends are generally popular because it is easier to be there if you aren’t at work. For some, they cannot take time off of work to move, and have to use the weekends. This also helps if you have a multi-day situation. You’ll be able to use both days of the weekend rather than have to take multiple days off of work.
A major reason why the days at the end of the month are popular to move is because of ending housing agreements. When renting a place, rent is due at the beginning of the month. This means to not waste rent on an extra month, you need to leave before the month ends. Because of this, most are scheduled at this time making them the most popular days.
The Best Time of Year to Move
Since each person is different, the best time to move depends on your particular situation. If you have kids, the best time to move may be in the summer. Though if that doesn’t bother you, you may want to move any other time since there will be more openings and flexibility for your shipment. To determine your best time of year to move, you can consult with a moving company as soon as possible and they can guide your decision.
The Best Time to Move Internationally with Schumacher
For the most part, domestic moves and international moves share the same peak moving season. We still recommend starting sooner than later as this takes a bit longer than domestic moves. Each particular situation is different so we consult with each person on their move.
Get a quote for your international move and start today before it’s too busy!
After moving internationally, many expats need to adapt to new cultures. When leaving the states, you should prepare for the culture abroad so you know what to expect. Sometimes Americans will move abroad and experience a shock that their cultures are very different. For this reason, we compiled some of the best ways to mitigate troubles in the transition.
Read our guide below on how to adapt to new cultures and beat the culture shock abroad.
The Best Ways to Adapt to New Cultures Overseas
Many expats ask us how to adapt to their new cultures. To answer this, we’ve gathered some of the best ways we’ve found to adapt to new cultures and prepare for life overseas. As a disclaimer, there are definitely other ways and not all of these may be for your specific destination. Some of these may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people are not ready to make the changes needed.
Enter the Country with an Open Mind
The first place to start with adapting to a new culture is to go with an open mind. If you close yourself off to the culture, you will feel as if everything is out of place. Be ready to embrace the differences in lifestyle and fully enjoy the chance to experience the way other people live. Doing this will allow you to adapt more easily and you will have a generally better time adapting overseas with that mindset.
Get Familiar with the Culture Overseas
Being thoroughly knowledgeable about the culture overseas will help you adapt to the new culture when arriving. An example of this is being ready to kiss someone on the cheek as a greeting. Where that is not the norm in the USA, many countries use this a casual greeting. Avoiding this may be interpreted as rude and increase the dissonance between you and the culture. Knowing the cultural nuances beforehand will be beneficial and is worth doing.
Learning the Local Language
One of the best ways to avoid a culture clash is to learn the local language. The local populace may not speak English which creates a language barrier between you and them. When you know the language, it is much easier to understand the new people around you. Even if you are in an English speaking country, the slang and terminology is different. For example, in the England saying “cheers” could mean thank you or goodbye. Adopting this slang will also be useful when getting to know people abroad which also helps you connect faster.
Ask About Things You Don’t Know
Many times we see people choose to stay quiet when they don’t understand parts of a culture. It’s going to be very difficult to fully adapt to a new culture if you don’t learn the reasons the locals are doing something. Asking questions will clear up any misunderstandings and the people generally appreciate the honesty.
Find a Safety Net of Expats
This may sound like advice opposite to earlier, but having a fallback of people from the same culture alleviates culture shock. Sometimes the culture overseas makes you homesick and increase the culture shock you experience. By having expats you know nearby, you can always experience a little bit of home while you are there. This may be the opposite of adapting to a new culture, but it may help in the long run. Once you are comfortable it may be easier to try and assimilate.
Ready to Go Overseas?
Now that you have some tips on how to adapt to new cultures overseas, start your international move with Schumacher Cargo Logistics.
With over 40 years of international moving experience, our services will take your goods overseas with no hassle at all.
If you’re ready to move, fill out our Online Quote Form and we’ll begin your shipment today.
Americans moving to the UK will notice various pros and cons of life in the UK compared to the USA. Most of us would think the transition to another English speaking country would be easy. But we all tend to forget about the smaller daily life rituals and cultural differences that may take a little more time to get used to. If you are prepared, and know what to expect, it may help with your move to the UK.
Through our many moves, we’ve heard back from American expats on things they would like to have known before beginning their UK life. To help we’ve compiled some of the major differences for expats acclimating to life in the UK.
A Note About Life in the UK Pros and Cons
Before we begin, it is important to note that there are differences in life throughout the UK. Just like in the US, life can be different depending on the area you are in even within the same country. Living in England will be different than Scotland, Ireland, Wales, etc. The differences for the UK vs USA in our list are broad and may not apply to all areas.
Housing in the UK vs USA
Housing in the UK is different in many ways to the housing you in the states. One of the most notable differences is the size. Houses in the UK are significantly smaller than US houses on average. Beyond size, there are also differences in amenities and appliances. Another housing difference noticeable right away is the outlets use a different plug style. Many bathrooms do not have outlets and if they do they need to be away from the shower/tub. Almost no houses in the UK have air conditioning, while in the US air conditioning is almost standard.
Public Transportation in the UK
Since the UK is pretty interconnected, public transport is usually abundant. This means you can get to where you are going easily without having to drive. In fact it is not uncommon for people to walk 20+ minutes to get to a destination in the UK. You are also free to roam in the UK. You can cross any street anywhere vs the US where you must use the sidewalk and a crosswalk. With most towns not as spread out as in the US it makes sense that people in the UK get out and walk more. In the US, most areas require a car to get around.
Housing in the UK Pros
- Public transport is generally accessible to housing in the UK
- Many large cities offer great amenities nearby
Housing in the UK Cons
- The housing is generally smaller and less roomy
- Different amenities and layouts from homes in the US
Food in the UK vs USA
Cultural differences in what foods are commonplace in the UK vs the US are to be expected. Many food items allowed in the US are actually banned in the UK. Due to differences in regulations, foods by the same name in both the US and UK may have some noticeable differences. One item to show that difference is eggs. In the UK, hens vaccinations are mandatory which makes the eggs safer from salmonella. In the US, this is not the case and is the reason why American eggs need to be refrigerated. There are also interesting cultural difference such as people in the UK use a fork and knife for most meals. Eating a rack of ribs with your hands looks normal in the US, while this could be gross in the UK.
Food in the UK Pros
- Generally safer due to more strict regulation
- Less food additives and preservatives
- Local UK foods that can only be found there
Food in the UK Cons
- Costs on regulated items may be more expensive
- Some food may seem odd coming from America such as haggis
Drinks in the UK vs USA
Many Americans have different drinking habits compared to the UK. A majority of Americans drink soda, while British people drink tea. There is always a surprise for people from the US when their drink arrives with no/less ice. People in the UK believe that ice waters down a drink and is preferable without ice. Sizes are also one size down in the UK. A large there would be a medium in the US.
Drinks in the UK Pros
- Tea is a healthier option compared to soda
Drinks in the UK Cons
- Changes in drinks from soda or coffee to tea may be difficult
Work Culture in the UK vs USA
When Americans go to the UK for work, they are always surprised by the difference in work culture. Employees in the UK generally prioritize work life balance. Many UK companies usually provide 20-30 days of paid time off. In the US there is no minimum requirements for vacation days. Having 10 vacations days per year in the US is considered very good. Conversely, salaries in the US are higher on average and allows more wealth flexibility comparatively. Within life at work, British people have different customs and practices as well. There will generally be a lot of tea, small talk, and it’s common to go to the pub daily after work.
Work Culture in the UK Pros
- More vacation days
- Better work life balance
Work Culture in the UK Cons
- Lower salary for similar jobs
- Need to adjust in new environment for American expats
Want to Live in the UK?
If you are moving or thinking about moving to the UK, Schumacher Cargo Logistics can make it easy. With over 40 years of experience, SCL is the premier moving company to the UK. From cars to full households, we can ship your goods door to door from the US to anywhere in the country.
To get your move to the UK started, fill out our Online Quote Form read another of our UK moving guides below.
Additional UK Guides
Other Pros and Cons Lists
