Some students have asked me how to get access to sports facilities on
the campus. If you want not only to improve your English this summer but also
increase your level of physical activity, you might find information below as
useful.
Glasgow
University offers the summer student membership for £25 for three months. It is
less than £8.50 a month. Your student membership gives you full access to both
the Stevenson Building and Garscube Sports Complex, including over 50 group
exercise classes each week, 25m swimming pool, sauna and steam room and more.
More information about classes and activities in the Stevenson Building can be
found via the following link:
It is worth to mention that 92.2% of customers
rated their experience at the Stevenson Sport Building as excellent last month.
You can
also book facilities both indoor and outdoor to play football, badminton,
basketball, squash, table tennis for an additional price. More information
about facilities and booking options are available via the links:
Glasgow
University has 53 sports clubs, including karate, yoga, swimming. Joining a
club allows you to get professional help towards achieving your goals as well
as it is an excellent opportunity to socialise and become friends with
like-minded people. You can be a member of karate, tennis, football, golf and
more clubs. Please follow the following link for more information:
I am sure that you find a club that suits your interests.
If you look
for a place to practice your meditation or pray on campus, the Reflection,
Prayer and Wellbeing Space is the right place to go. It is in the Annexe on
Level 9 of the University Library.
Finally, please do not fall into the trap of thinking that sport can
distract you from your studies. Doing physical exercises regularly increase
your energy levels and release natural happy endorphins, which positively
impact on your studies.
We are fast-approaching the two-week holiday you have all been looking forward to. You have all worked extremely hard and definitely deserve some time to relax. Here are 10 ideas of different things you can do during your time off, whether it’s a local walk and some good food you’re after, or a trip further afield, this list has something for you!
Exploring the Botanic Gardens
Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens are one of my favourite places to visit on a sunny day. Lots of people go there to sunbathe, visit the herb garden, or just read a good book. There are always lots of dogs to pat and squirrels to spot, which is a bonus if you are an animal lover like me! Close to the Botanic Gardens is the famous dessert café Loop and Scoop, on Great Western Road. If it is nice weather, you can go and buy an ice-cream to take to the gardens, and if the weather turns bad, you can hide away inside and eat some churros instead! Loop and Scoop has great vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free options so there is something for everyone!
People enjoying the sunshine in the Botanic Gardens
Having fun at the Glasgow Science Centre.
I have been visiting the Glasgow Science Centre since I was a child and I’m still not bored of it! With loads of interactive exhibits, covering everything from the human body to the solar system, you are sure to have lots of fun. One of my favourite things at the centre is the Planetarium, a state-of-the-art simulation allowing you to journey into space. You can also go up the Glasgow Tower, which is next to the Science Centre, where you can get a spectacular view over Glasgow and the River Clyde. Also on-site is an IMAX cinema, containing Scotland’s largest screen!
The impressive Glasgow TowerView from the top of the Glasgow Tower
Visiting the Lighthouse and getting a great view of Glasgow
The Lighthouse is a free attraction in the heart of the city centre. As well as being a fabulous visitor centre about Scotland’s design and architecture, it is also home to one of the best views in Glasgow. Although there is a lift to the top, those feeling up for the challenge can take the spiral staircase. Also, not far from the Lighthouse is an amazing pizza restaurant called Paesanos (I have already recommended this to many of you in person!). What better reward for climbing all of those stairs than eating some authentic Napoletana pizza?
Playing the Piano in the Lighthouse
Learning about Glasgow’s transport history at the Riverside Museum
Another unmissable attraction in Glasgow is the award-winning Riverside Museum, which is walking distance from the university campus. From the history of the Glasgow subway (including an old subway car which you can go inside!) to the story of Glasgow’s shipbuilding past, there is a rich collection of over 3,000 objects for you to explore. Next to the museum there is also the Tall Ship exhibit, which is one of only five Clyde built ships still afloat in the world today (and the only one in the UK!).
Taking a day trip to Edinburgh
Only a short bus or train ride away from Glasgow is Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh. There is an endless list of exciting things to do in Edinburgh, ranging from visiting Edinburgh Castle and learning about it’s history, to having lots of fun at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. Other great things to do in Edinburgh include climbing Arthur’s Seat, visiting the National Museum of Scotland, braving the Edinburgh Dungeons, and walking down the Royal Mile. No trip to Scotland would be complete without a visit to Edinburgh. Please let me know if you would like a more detailed list of things to do there!
Edinburgh Castle from Prince’s Street Gardens
Hitting the seaside at Largs
Only one hour away from Glasgow by train is the seaside town of Largs. This would be a perfect trip to take on a hot day, as the beach there is beautiful. You can get some amazing fish and chips in Largs, such as from The Wee Plaice, and you can then top this off with a scoop of ice-cream (or 3!) from the famous Nardini’s.
Walking through Glasgow Green and visiting the People’s Palace
Glasgow is not short of green space, and Glasgow Green is another fantastic place to go for a walk, picnic, sunbathe, or just to pet some dogs. In the heart of Glasgow Green is the People’s Palace, a museum which tells the fascinating history of the people of Glasgow from the 18th to the 20th century. Glasgow Green is also home to WEST on the Green, a great bar and restaurant taking influence from Germany, meaning that they serve up some tasty and interesting dishes.
Entrance to Glasgow Green
Getting cosy in a local cinema
It is no secret that Glasgow has many rainy days. Don’t worry though, there is still plenty to do when the weather is bad! One of my favourite places to go is the Grosvenor Cinema on Ashton Lane. This is a small, independent cinema which shows all of the latest films (I plan on seeing Aladdin and the Secret Life of Pets 2 very soon!). Ashton Lane also has lots of good places to eat, such as Brel, which means that you can have a lovely meal before or after your film.
Ashton Lane at night
Visiting the East End
Besides the West End and the City Centre, the East End of Glasgow has lots to offer too (I am biased, because it’s where I live). Dennistoun is home to the beautiful Glasgow Cathedral, as well as the Necropolis, which is an elaborate Victorian cemetery. If it is a nice day, you can take a walk through the Necropolis, which has a fantastic view at the top. All of this might make you hungry, so I recommend visiting Drygate, which is a fantastic restaurant and brewery in the East End.
Taking the ferry to the Isle of Arran
Lastly, the most adventurous of my suggestions is to take a day-trip to the Isle of Arran. This is something I have done lots in the summer months, and it remains one of my favourite things to do! It may seem difficult to get to an island from the city, but this is not the case! You can buy a convenient Rail & Sail ticket, which allows you to get the train from Glasgow Central to Ardrossan Harbour, followed by the ferry from Ardrossan Harbour to Brodick, on the Isle of Arran. Brodick is home to Brodick Castle, an amazing chocolate shop, beautiful beaches, as well as lots of lovely places to eat. My favourite place to eat in Brodick is Little Rock Café, which is a great place to go if you are waiting to get the ferry back! Again, please let me know if you would like a more detailed list of things to do on the Isle of Arran.
View from the ferry of the Isle of Arran
There are LOADS more things you can do in and around Glasgow, as well as trips to places such as London and Inverness. I have tried to keep this list for things which are manageable in a day, although if you would like a post about places such as London then let us know! We write these blogs to help you so if there is anything you’d like us to cover then please tell us.
I hope my suggestions are helpful for you, and if you get a chance to do any of these things then feel free to post about it on the Facebook page and let others know what you thought!
It was so lovely to see so many new faces at Chat Club last week!
A few of you have asked about Oriental supermarkets in Glasgow, so I thought I would share a few places I go to, that might be of interest to you.
SeeWoo Foods
SeeWoo is the biggest Oriental supermarket in Scotland and has a wide selection of Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian, Korean, Japanese food products. If you are looking for variety, this is the place to be. My favourite aisle is the Japanese frozen section housing Chicken Yakitori and Takoyaki Octopus Balls, as well as the confectionary section housing my childhood snacks such as Lotte Koala’s March and Meiji Yan Yan cup.
Matthews Food is slightly closer to Murano Street where many of you are staying. They stock a range of Asian ingredients including Chinese, Thai and Malaysian sauces, Japanese and Korean noodles, and some Indian spices. From personal experience, it is much smaller than SeeWoo but also a bit cheaper. The aisle that I frequent is the chilled section with all the Chinese hotpot ingredients you need, such as fish balls, mushroom pork balls, tofu and thinly-sliced beef. One of my favourite things to do in a cold winter night in Glasgow is to make my own hotpot with a rice cooker!
OAKA has four branches across Glasgow. The closest one to the University and Murano Street is Byres Road. It is a wee bit more expensive than the two places above but this is made up by the fact that it is just a 3-minute walk away from our University (Boyd Orr Building)! Another perk is their seating areas in three of the branches serving Asian street food and dim sum (except the New City Road branch). I love how convenient it is to get there, and their frozen spinach gyoza looks amazing!
Addresses: 181 Byres Rd, Glasgow G12 8TS | 130 George St, Glasgow G1 1RG | 145 Kelvinhaugh St, Glasgow G3 8PX | Unit 9, 42 New City Road, Glasgow G4 9JT Walking time from Murano Street: 21 minutes Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/QKzTQeRvQZErqx9P9 Website: https://www.oakasupercity.com/
Japan Centre
The last one on the list is online (they do have a walk-in store in London though)! This is where I get all my Japanese supplies, ranging from limited edition Kitkat to tonkotsu ramen. They offer a 10% student discount through “Student Beans”, a portal that verifies your student status. To get the discount, just click on the student discount banner on their website and follow the instructions! Delivery costs vary according to the weight of your order.
Did you know? There is a large British Chinese community in Glasgow and many more Oriental food stores can be found all around Glasgow. These are just a few that I have personally visited during my year here at Glasgow University. Feel free to share your knowledge with me and other students and I’m looking forward to seeing more of you at our Chat Clubs every Tuesday to Friday 1-2pm!
This is a quick post about one of my favourite places in Glasgow: Pollok Park. We’ve just had a trip to Pollok Park on 19 May and I know some of you couldn’t go because it was full. But don’t worry! The great thing about Pollok Park is that it’s really easy to get to, so you can easily go yourself. If you want to find out how, just read on!
Getting There
The train is the easiest way. From Glasgow Central Station the park is only two stops. The station you’ll need is Pollokshaws West. From Pollokshaws West it’s a short walk to the main entrance of the park.
The trains run very regularly (every ten minutes or so), so you should have no problem at all getting there.
Things to do
The best thing about the park is exploring on foot. There are lots of easy walking routes to follow. You can walk along the river (and the see the ducks), visit the stables (and see the horses) or take a walk along one of the Woodland Trails (see picture below).
Choose the yellow, red or blue route
Pollok House
If you want to go inside Pollok House, you will have to pay. It’s £7.50 (£5.50 I think with a student card). Here’s a link to the website if you would like to read some more information about the house: Pollok House Website
Pollok Gardens
The gardens outside the house, however, are completely free to enter and there are lots of paths to explore.
This one was taken just behind Pollok House
You can also relax in the walled gardens.
Yes, that’s correct – that is a ship trying unsuccessfully to sail across the grass
And don’t forget to say hello to the fairies in the fairy village.
Can you see any fairies in the windows?
Highland Cows
You can also see the highland cows in the fields around the park. See the Woodland Trail map above for the best places.
All sorts of cuteness
Places to Eat
There are not too many places to eat in the park so it might be a good idea to take your own lunch. There is an outdoor café near the picnic area. There is also a cafe in Pollok House. You don’t have to buy a ticket to the house to visit the cafe, but it can be a little expensive, so you may want to take your own food.
Visit Shawlands
Another option if you don’t mind a walk is to go to Shawlands and visit a café. Shawlands is an area of shops and restaurants about twenty-five minutes’ walk from the park. There are lots of places to choose from. Two of my favourites are:
However, if you don’t want to walk to Shawlands, you can get the bus from Pollokshaws Road. It’s just by the main entrance to the park. Just turn left when you come out of the main entrance and you’ll see it. You’ll need the number 57 or 57a bus. Just ask the driver for a ticket to Shawlands Cross.
Getting Home
From the park you can return to Glasgow Central station from Pollokshaws West. If you go to Shawlands, however, the best station will be Crossmyloof. This is on the same line as Pollokshaws West (it’s one stop closer to Glasgow Central), so you will be able to use your return ticket from here too. Check on the map above: you’ll see both stations on it.
And finally
If you go to Pollok Park, please post your pictures to the Facebook group and let everyone know what an amazing time you had!
Check out this post from our youngest ever blogger, Abigail, who joined us for work experience recently.
Hello, my name is Abigail and I am 15 years old and currently in my fourth year of High school. In fourth year we have to do work experience which is why I am at your University. Later this year I will have to do loads of tests and I am very nervous even though they are months away! In school I learn Chemistry, Spanish, music tech, and Drama. I don’t really like Chemistry because it can be very boring.
Drama is my favorite subject because when I grow up I would like to make films. Throughout my childhood I have always made short films with my friends but they were never very good. My favourite movies are by Wes Anderson because they are very pretty to look at. I go to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on weekends to learn how to improve my film-making skills. I also play piano and ukulele in my spare time. The thing I enjoy most is watching YouTube because there are a lot of different things to watch. Some of the YouTube creators I like are Bertie Gilbert and Savannah Brown because they make very insightful and interesting videos.
I have lived in Scotland for my whole life so I know a lot of cool places you can go. There is a museum called ‘The Lighthouse‘ which is great because you can see most of Glasgow City Centre. You should try to visit some of the other museums too because they are free and also are really interesting.
I would recommend that you try eating haggis because it is a good Scottish experience, but do not try Deep Fried Mars Bars because they don’t taste good and are very unhealthy. Also always carry an umbrella!
Living in Glasgow, you’re spoilt for choice with options of how to spend your free time. While you can come along to EAS trips, maybe you’re looking for somewhere to take your family and friends or places where you can spend as little money as possible. In such a large city, there are so many options, but here are my top five picks!
1: Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Situated near the University, the Botanic Gardens are a beautiful spot to spend a sunny or rainy afternoon alike. It’s completely free to wander around the gardens and Kibble Palace (the large glasshouse in the picture), home to many species of plants and flowers. Make sure you see the Dangerous Plants room, and it’s a perfect spot to relax on a rare sunny day!
Where is it? 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 0UE
The Queen Margaret Union is one of Glasgow’s two student unions. As a student, you can become a ‘member’ of both the Queen Margaret and the Glasgow University Unions, which give you benefits such as cheaper drinks and cheaper entry to events. During the summer, the union is open during the week, from 8am until 11pm (12am on Friday.) You can join your friends for a game of pool in Champions’ Bar, see live music by artists from Glasgow and beyond, or get a bite to eat for a student-friendly price.
Where is it? 22 University Gardens, Glasgow, G12 8QN
You’ve probably heard of, or even visited the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery which is next to the University but Glasgow is home to many other museums and galleries, with most being free to enter, including the Gallery of Modern Art. The Gallery of Modern Art holds four galleries across the building, with new exhibitions on a regular basis. There’s also a library in the building and an area for children. In front of the building, you can also see the famous Duke of Wellington statue – you may have already heard of this as the statue Glaswegians decorate with traffic cones! You’ll have to see it to believe it…
Where is it? Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, G1 3AH
One of the best well-known cinemas in Scotland, the Glasgow Film Theatre has something for everyone. Known locally as the GFT, it has a diverse monthly timetable with everything from foreign-language films with English subtitles, to screenings of live theatre shows, to an annual Film Festival every February. It costs £7.50 for a student ticket, but if you’re under 25, you can apply for a ’15-25 Card’ for even cheaper tickets!
East of the city, Glasgow’s ‘city of the dead’ might not be your first choice for a day out but don’t miss out on this fascinating place. The Necropolis is an old cemetery, next to Glasgow Cathedral, built on a hill overlooking the city. It’s famous for the view of the city as well as the varied architecture and memorials throughout. You can also pop over to the Cathedral, a medieval church, where lies St. Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow.
The nights are drawing in and the cold is beginning to bite – in Scotland that means one thing. Time to celebrate Christmas!
Christmas is one of the most popular celebrations in the UK. Originally a Christian festival, it is now celebrated across the UK by people from all backgrounds and religions. At this time of year, cities put on lots of fun events that can help you to enjoy winter – despite the cold! There is plenty to do around Glasgow over the next few weeks, and we hope you will all join in and have a truly Scottish experience! This post outlines a few of the fun things you can look forward to between now and 25th December.
Torchlight Procession – 26th November
Kick off the festive season with a Torchlight Procession in the West End on Saturday 26th November. It is open and accessible to all who want to take part, and children are welcome. Vouchers for tickets are on sale for £10 on the festival website here – but be warned, the torches are real fire so if you’re nervous of flames (like me…) you may prefer to watch rather than take part. The procession will begin at 5.45pm at Queen Margaret Drive and last around 45 minutes. Even if you don’t plan to be involved, be warned that roads around the West End will be closed for the procession. More information about what to expect can be found here!
Glasgow Style Mile Carnival – 27th November
On Sunday 27th November, check out the Glasgow Style Mile Carnival, a festive procession of music and dance through the centre of the city. It begins at the St Enoch Centre at 2.30pm and finishes at George Square. Lots of local groups are involved in the procession, including drama groups, schools, and dance troupes! The route map is available on the website, and copied here for your convenience!
Byres Road Christmas Lights Switch On! – 27th November
If you’d rather stick to the West End, Sunday 27th November also sees the first ever Byres Road Christmas Lights Switch On! In Scotland we need festive lights to brighten up dark days. To add to the excitement, switch-ons have become big celebrations with music and performances. The Byres Road celebration will start at midday with a Christmas Market on Vinicombe Street (at the top of Byres Road opposite Waitrose); from 2pm local choirs and musicians will perform festive tunes; and then at 6pm the Christmas tree will be lit by a special guest.
Traditional Blessing of the Crib Ceremony – 7th December
If you’re interested in the more religious side of Christmas, be sure to attend the traditional Blessing of the Crib in George Square on 7th December at 6.30pm. Attendance is free and open to everyone!
Santa Dash Fun Run – 11th December
A Glasgow favourite that you won’t want to miss is the Santa Dash! On Sunday 11th December, thousands of people will dress up in Santa Claus costumes and run 5km through the city centre to raise money for charity. It starts at George Square at 10am, and is quite a sight to see!
Christmas Markets – on now!
A lot of British Christmas traditions – such as decorating Christmas trees – originated in Germany, and were brought over when Queen Victoria married a German prince in the 1800s. A more recent German import is the Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt, in the original German). Christmas markets sell Christmas gifts, warm clothing, and lots of food and drinks to enjoy. Mulled wine is a popular spicy drink that you can find at markets around Christmas. Traditionally it contains alcohol (wine) but sometimes non-alcoholic versions are available, just ask.
This year, Glasgow has two Christmas Markets! Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s a great experience to walk around and see what’s on offer. One market can be found in St Enoch Square (10th Nov-22nd Dec), with another at George Square (26th Nov-29th Dec). Opening times and more details are available on the Glasgow Loves Christmas website.
Music and Theatre
There are dozens of festive shows you can attend throughout the season. You can find a full list here, but I’ve highlighted a few of my personal favourites below.
Pantomime
A very British tradition at Christmas is the pantomime. You might have seen pantomimes (or ‘pantos’) advertised around Glasgow. There are lots to choose from! Some are professional, some are amateur, but all are great fun. Panto stories loosely follow familiar fairy tales such as Cinderella, Aladdin, and Peter Pan, but have a twist. A favourite character is always the panto dame – a male actor dressed up as a woman in a comedy role! Often the main male character will also be played by a woman. There are lots of silly jokes that children love, and plenty of audience interaction where the characters speak to the children in the audience.
Classical Music
You will also find lots of music shows throughout November and December. Glasgow is lucky to be the home of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) which does an annual Christmas tour of Scotland. If you have children, you might want to check out the Children’s Classics Christmas Countdown on Sunday 4th December at 1pm or 3pm! Otherwise, this year the RSNO Christmas Concert will take place on 17th December at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (near Buchanan Street).
If you are planning on staying in Glasgow over Christmas itself, you might like to see the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra on Thursday 22nd December, 7pm at City Halls. And around Glasgow, you will likely come across brass bands playing traditional Christmas music often perform for free, or in return for charity donations, in shopping centres and supermarkets.
We hope you have a fun Christmas experience in Glasgow! And remember – take lots of pictures, and you might win one of our photography contests…
Written by Hannah Kunzlik, edited by Kerry Sharkey.
The landscapes of Western Europe may just be a flight away from the UK, but some of the most unusual and dramatic places of natural beauty are right here in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
This April, I was lucky enough to spend a Week on the Isle of Skye – something I would recommend to anyone interested in the great outdoors.
Basics
Getting there
There are several ways to travel up to Skye from Glasgow. Personally, I took the bus, which is the longest and, probably, least comfortable option. However, it is also by far the cheapest and the journey up through Scotland is beautiful in itself. My bus ticket included a student discount and cost me £40 for a return from CityLink.
Accommodation
Unfortunately, the main means of accommodation on Skye are Bed and Breakfasts (BnBs), which are relatively expensive. An alternative is taking your own tent and wild camping, which is legal anywhere in Scotland and free. Campers should be warned, though, that this is far from luxurious and may lead to a cold and restless night. I decided to spend the money to stay in BnBs, which I found independently online or through the website airbnb.co.uk.
Getting around
There are buses between Skye’s villages that I relied on a lot while there. Using the buses is the cheapest option but requires careful planning as they are not regular. Also, the buses will not take you to many of the natural sites that make Skye what it is.
Another option is to hire a car once you’re there. I chose to do this for one day, although you can do so for longer. I found that it is also possible to hire a car with a non UK or EU driving license, but you must be over 21.
What to Do and Where to Go
Now for the fun stuff! Skye has so much to offer, but here are my top five favourite things I did while there.
Five: Portree
Portree is the largest town on Skye and a lovely example of the kind of Scottish harbours often seen on the islands. When I arrived I took the afternoon to explore this pretty place’s shops, cafes and viewpoints. From a tower on a hill above the harbour I had a great view of Portree’s colourful buildings and boats, as well as being able to see the Old Man of Storr beyond. I then walked around the hill and watched the sunset across the water and hills before a delicious meal in one of Portree’s many restaurants.
Four: The Fairy Pools
While I was staying in Carbost, on the west side of the island, I took a day trip to the Fairy Pools. This series of waterfalls and pools at the foothills of Skye’s Black Cuillin Mountains are each a little different from the last and continuingly delightful. The water has run off the mountains that surround the Fairy Pools and, as a result, it is clear, pure and a gorgeous green.
Three: Staffin Beach
Staffin Beach, at the top of Skye, has some great sea views and walks surrounding it. However, it gets a place in my top five for one, very special, reason. If you’re lucky, you will be able to find the 65 million year old dinosaur footprints that are fossilised in the rocks of this beach. Although these incredible fossils are often hidden by either the tide or the sand of the beach, a combination of ensuring I visited at low tide and perfect weather conditions meant I was able to find them. The footprints are clear and impressive and I would highly recommend the experience of being able to walk exactly where dinosaurs have once been.
Two: The Old Man of Storr
Portree is a good base for some of the most famous walks on Skye, including the Old Man of Storr. Personally, I went to the Old Man of Storr on the day that I hired a car and the drive was very quick. The walk itself is easy and the views at the top are stunning. When I went, it was misty and a bit wet, but the experience was still well worth it. For me, the views were even more dramatic in the mist.
One: The Fairy Glen
The Fairy Glen gets my top spot because it is unlike anywhere I have ever been in the world. Not sign-posted, but walking distance up the road from Uig, this place has a truly magical feel. After so many dramatic and rugged landscapes, going to the Fairy Glen right at the end of my trip was a surprising and special experience. I’ve decided to not put up any pictures of this miniature environment as it is can’t really be captured on camera. You’ll just have to go to Skye and see it for yourself!
English is English is English, right? Not quite! If you first learned English in the American style, you might be surprised to find some important differences between American and British English. There are more differences than you think, and knowing them could save you from an awkward situation!
Vocabulary
Clothing
American
British
Pants
Trousers
Underwear
Pants
Sweater
Jumper
Costume
Fancy Dress
Sneakers
Trainers
Watch out for the pants v. trousers conundrum! I’ve made the mistake of using ‘pants’ when I meant to say ‘trousers’, and it was an embarrassing (albeit funny!) conversation.
If someone invites you to a ‘fancy dress’ party, this doesn’t mean you should wear a ball gown or something fancy – it means you can wear a costume!
Education
American
British
Math
Maths
Vacation
Holiday
Eraser
Rubber
Grade
Mark
On the Road
American
British
Parking Lot
Car Park
Freeway/Highway
Motorway
Truck
Lorry
Gas
Petrol
Dumpster
Skip
Sidewalk
Pavement
Exit
Slip Road
And if you’ve ever driven in the UK, you’ve probably noticed there are more differences than just the vocabulary…
Places
American
British
Apartment
Flat
Drug Store
Chemist
Doctor’s Office
Surgery
Bathroom
Toilet/Loo
When I first moved to Scotland, I wondered why so many people were going to get surgery… then I realized, that ‘surgery’ simply means ‘doctor’s office.’
Food
American
British
Cookie
Biscuit
Chips
Crisps
Fries
Chips
Eggplant
Aubergine
Popsicle
Ice Lolly
Slice of Bacon
Rasher
Take Out
Take Away
Did you know, if you order fries in the UK, you’ll get skinny chips instead of chunky ones?
Informal Phrases
In addition to the many differences in vocabulary, British English and American English also have different everyday phrases. Here are a few that confused me when I first moved here:
Phrase
Explanation
You all right?
In American English, if someone asked you if you’re all right, something must be wrong – maybe you look sick or you fell off your bike.
In British English, it’s often used as an informal greeting just like ‘Hi’, ‘How are you?’ or ‘How’s it going?’
That’s you then.
A clerk in the grocery store might tell you this as she hands you your receipt. This phrase simply means ‘the transaction is finished’.
Hiya
This phrase is used as a greeting. It’s equivalent to ‘Hi’ or ‘Hi there.’
Nae
In informal speech, the word ‘nae’ can mean ‘no’ or ‘not.’ For example, ‘Nae bother, it wasnae your fault’ means ‘No problem, it wasn’t your fault.’
Spelling
Setting Up You Computer for British English Spell Check
You’re probably familiar with the key differences in American v. British English spelling; American English tends to use ‘ize’ endings (rather than the British ‘ise’) and omits the ‘u’ in words like colour and favour.
It’s very likely that your computer is configured to check for spelling and grammar in the American style of English, which means you’ll get the squiggly red line underneath words like ‘colour’ and ‘organise’ even though they’re spelled properly.
To change Word’s settings to check for UK English, follow these instructions:
Select the entire document (press Ctrl+A).
From the Tools menu, choose Language… Word then displays the Language dialog box.
In the list of languages, select English (UK).
Click on the OK button.
You can also set up English (UK) to be your default language, so that every time you open Word, Word automatically checks for British English. To do this:
From the Tools menu, choose Language… Word then displays the Language dialog box.
In the list of languages, select English (UK).
Click on the Default… Then press Yes.
Click on the OK
If you discover any more differences between American and British English, feel free to share them in the comments below!
So you’re spending the summer in Glasgow – it’s a new city and a whole new environment! It can be difficult to know what is available and where you can go to de-stress from the demands of the pre-sessional course. Here you will find some information about what’s on in Glasgow this summer, some places you can go with your friends and where to experience new and interesting things! These will become the stories you tell your friends and family at home about your time in Glasgow.
West End Festival
You may not know this, but every year the West end of Glasgow hosts a festival celebrating music and art culture. This festival begins on the 3rd of June and finishes on the 26th of June.
During the West End Festival there will be various events occurring in the areas surrounding the University Campus. These events include comedy shows, gigs, Shakespeare plays, BBQs, Choir performances, Whiskey tasting and many more. You can find out all the information about the events which are available during the festival here.
(The West End Festival Parade 2015)
Music in Glasgow
You may have heard of Glasgow’s prominent music scene, but not know where to get tickets or see shows. Glasgow is frequently visited by some of the biggest acts in the musical world due to its first rate venues (both large and small) which have become a massive attraction for musical acts. A list of venues is given below:
SSE Hydro
The SSE Hydro is the biggest music venue in the city. It was completed in 2013, and is a massive arena venue holding 13,000 where you can see some of the biggest acts in the world today. This summer it will be visited by acts such as The Who, Manic Street Preachers, Neil Young, Andrea Bocelli. It will also host sporting events such as WWE and a tennis match between Andy Murray and Gael Monfils.
If you are interested in attending a big event at the hydro you can visit their website here.
Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC)
Another popular venue for musical acts and public speakers is the SECC, like the hydro it is one of the larger venues for musical performances and conferences. This summer it will be host to a number of musicians and public speakers including Malala Yousafzai, Paul Carrick and Madness.
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
If you are looking to enjoy some classical music over the summer, one of the best places to go is the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, located across from Buchanan Bus Station in the city centre. You can find out what is on at the concert hall here.
Film in Glasgow
Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT)
The GFT is one of the most popular cinemas in the city. It shows a different variety of films from most big cinemas like Cineworld or Vue. At the GFT you can see films from all over the world in different languages, usually with subtitles. The GFT shows English films too. It often has themed nights when it shows classic films, and it shows films related to the season like Christmas or Halloween films!
Cineworld Glasgow
Located just off of Buchanan Street, Cineworld Glasgow is the largest cinema in Europe, and here you can see all the latest and most popular films. At Cineworld they also have a variety of monthly passes etc. if you are a frequent cinema-goer.
Grosvenor Cinema (Ashton Lane)
This is a tiny cinema located very near the university which is very cosy and popular among Glasgow University students! It shows some of the latest and greatest films.
Places to Eat & Drink
It would be almost impossible to list every restaurant and café in Glasgow in this short blog, so here are some articles from reputable sources which list some of the best places to eat in the city:
Situated near the University, the Botanic Gardens are a beautiful spot to spend a sunny or rainy afternoon alike. It’s completely free to wander around the gardens and Kibble Palace (the large glasshouse in the picture), home to many species of plants and flowers. Make sure you see the Dangerous Plants room, and it’s a perfect spot to relax on a rare sunny day!
EAS Ambassadors Glasgow 