Studying in the UK is not only a wonderful opportunity to benefit from a world-class education but also a chance to experience the country's vibrant culture.

Although the UK is relatively small in size, it offers a wealth of attractions. London is one of the most exciting and cosmopolitan cities in the UK and if you look beyond London you will find a nation as diverse as it is accessible and affordable.

UK cities and towns display a rich and varied historical and cultural heritage. For seaside splendour, you could head south to Brighton or the palm-fringed English Riviera, or west to the surfing culture of north Cornwall or Wales. Great civic centres, such as Cardiff, Belfast, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds offer some of the best nightclub scenes in Europe. Further north, Edinburgh beckons, with its blend of old-world architecture and up-to-the-minute arts, while Glasgow is one of the happening cities in the country.

The UK is a tolerant, democratic society, where different beliefs and political views are respected. You will find that many people dress in the same way and eat the same food you would in your own country. In large cities, there are shops that sell every imaginable type of food from around the world, from halal meats and Asian vegetables and rices to Kosher desserts. Throughout the year, in different towns and cities, there is a succession of religious festivals celebrating various events and phases in the main world religions.

As the UK has welcomed people from all over the world, it has also imported their culinary styles, foods, sauces and recipes. British cuisine has changed dramatically in the past few decades. Chinese, Indian, Italian and French cuisine is now as popular in the UK as the distinctive culinary traditions of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Where once you might have thought fish and chips, you can now choose linguine, tortillas, paella, curries or couscous. Supermarkets offer vegetables, fruit, spices and other ingredients from all over the world, and numerous smaller shops specialise in international foods.

International students staying with British families can expect to eat the same sort of food as their host family. Host families will, of course, take into account any special dietary restrictions you may have for religious or other reasons.

Meals and diet in the UK tend to vary to reflect the changing seasons of the year. For example, in the winter, stews, casseroles and roasts tend to be popular, while, in the summer, salads and lighter meals are eaten more often.

Eating out in the UK is truly an international adventure - you can find restaurants serving almost any kind of food you'd like to try, especially in cities and larger towns. Most restaurants display their menu outside so that you can check what they have to offer before you go in.

Culture is closely related to lifestyle. Culture is made up of language, dressing style, food, social interaction, etc. When people are exposed to new culture in a country different from theirs, they tend to feel quite confused. This uneasiness that people often feel when they come across a new culture is called culture shock.

You could be perplexed or disturbed or feel lonely at the attire, changes in weather, spicy foods, the foreign language, the speaking style, and different social values. You could also feel lonely being away from the comfort of your home and the support of your family and friends.

Culture shock is is a normal phenomenon that happens to - travellers, students, tourists. It even affects people who come from counties that share a common cultural root and language like - Australia, Canada, USA.

Culture shocks can cause medical problems such as headache, depression, sudden change of moods, with a strong feeling that things are getting out of control; you may loose concentration on the course; you may feel like being aloof.

Having explained this, it needs to be stressed that this is just a passing phase and as you understand the culture, it subsides. This is a time taking process that happens gradually. But this is an unavoidable phase for which you need to be prepared.

Whenever you feel that you are unable to cope with this, please contact your tutor or international student adviser for assistance. They have been trained to help you adjust with the British culture and way of living and studying.

The following points can help you overcome or lessen the effects of a culture

Talk and mingle a lot with local students and other international students and try to understand their lifestyles

Move around and find local place that could be of interest to you

Read the the local papers

Try to use English everywhere

Watch movies and television programs

Try to understand the various behavioural patterns of people in the society.

Britain is a multicultural place, where all sorts of languages are spoken and all major religions are practiced and people from all ethnic groups live. The earlier you interact with British culture the better you get to understand it. Sticking to your ethnic groups could prolong your discomfort.

It is not the best to compare your home country with the UK - things may be different either good or bad here, but comparisons will increase the pain caused by a culture shock. Things in the UK may not be exactly how you expected and may result in disappointment.

Britain is a part of global village of many tribes with parallel worlds of religious scholarships and practice. The government in the UK is strongly in favour of a multi-racial society and you will find a range of religions followed in most towns and cities throughout the UK. 

The Skyline of the major cities in Britain - London, Glasgow, Cardiff, Leicester, Bradford, Birmingham - now has a new horizon shaped not only by the familiar spires and towers of churches but also by the domes and minarets of mosques. Religious communities in the UK have built a number temples, synagogues and other places of worship.