United Kingdom (UK) small island country between
the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean. The country's official name is
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The island
of Great Britain comprises England, Scotland and Wales, Northern
Ireland is the area in the north eastern corner of Ireland, an adjacent
island.
The UK is one of the 25 member states of the European Union (EU).
The UK's total population of 60 million is unevenly distributed,
with 5 million people living in Scotland, 3 million in Wales, 2
million in Northern Ireland and the majority of 50 million people
in England. Nearly one third of the people in England live in the
South East (an economically rich area) and in London, the capital.
TIME
The standard time in the UK is Greenwich Mean Time
or the Universal Time Co-ordinated during summer. In March the clocks
go forward one hour for British Summer Time. At the end of October
the clocks go back one hour to Greenwich Mean Time.
MOBILE PHONES
There are two main types of mobile phone tariffs
in the UK - 'pay as you go' and a monthly rate. 'Pay as you go'
phones cost from £25 (or £10 for a SIM card only).Top-up
cards can be bought at newsagent, post offices and other local stores.
Mobiles with monthly charge have cheaper call charges but you need
sign a contract with the phone company at least one year. For this
you need bank account, proof of ID and proof of address in the UK.
TELEVISION
There are five national terrestrial channels (unless
you want to pay extra for satellite, cable or digital TV). These
are BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
EATING OUT
Fish and chips is a traditional British meal. The
lower end of the market is dominated by burger chains (such as Mc
Donalds, Burger King and KFC). There are also medium-priced restaurants
that offer good Indian, Chinese, Italian, Thai, English and Turkish
cuisine. There are usually a couple of vegetarian restaurants in
every town and city. Many restaurants also serve Halal food.
ENTERTAINTMENT
Towns and cities have clubs offering diverse events
during the week, although these can be expensive if they're not
designated student nights. Clubs in town will have a stricter
dress code and trainers an jeans are usually not allowed. The
best way to find out what is going on in your town is by looking
in your local newspapers, local entertainment guides and keeping
an eye out for posters around your town or university campus.
Most towns now have a multiplex cinema screening the latest movies.
Almost all offer student discounts on production of a valid student
ID card.
The main focus of social life in Britain is the pub, where most
people meet to talk and drink.
WEATHER
The weather is a favourite topic of conversation
nationwide and you will probably hear it mentioned several times
a day. The weather is very unpredictable- it can rain and be cold
in summer and there are sometimes pleasant day in winter. January
and February are usually the coldest months with temperatures falling
to zero and snowfall common in Scotland ann Northern England. In
summer, temperature can rise to 30°C.
HEALTH
The United Kingdom has a nationally funded health
service – the National Health Service (NHS). Students from
EEA countries and from those countries that have a reciprocal health
agreement with the UK are entitled to receive free healthcare regardless
of the duration of their stay here in the UK. All international
students and their dependants studying on a course of more than
six months are also entitled to free healthcare. If your course
lasts for less than six months and your country does not participate
in a reciprocal healthcare agreement then you will not be entitled
to receive free treatment except in emergencies.
EMPLOYMENT
All EEA nationals and their dependants can work
freely without any restriction during their stay in the UK.
International students can bow work without a work permit while
studying, as long as they are not prohibited from doing so on
their entry clearance or visa. However, there are still some restrictions
on the type and hours of work that they can do. They are not allowed
to work for more than 20 hours per week during term time. They
cannot engage in business, self-employment, the provision of services
or take up work as a professional entertainer or suportsperson.
Occasionally a student may have a prohibition on working stamped
in their passport. This will indicate that they have 'Leave to
enter for/until (a specified time). No work or recourse to public
funds.' Check your visa before seeking work.
The best place to look for part time work is at your institution'
s careers advisory service, local job centre, local employment
agencies, local press, local shop windows and employer stalls
at your university freshers fair.
The current national minimum wage is £4.85 per hour(if you
are aged 22 or over) and £4.10 per hour (if you are under
22).
TELEPHONE
The UK country code is +44.To dial the UK number
from your country dial 00 then the 44, then the phone number. For
call to your country dial 00 then your country code, than phone
number.
