WORK|OUT European Students’ Review

A picture of University of Manchester...
which has absolutely nothing to do with this article

   | John Kelly (DUBLIN). Being a foreign student in England has been a surreal experience. Upon moving here I naively imagined that it wouldn’t surprise me too much as I come from Ireland: we watch the same TV, eat the same food, speak the same language (kind of). How different could it be? Which is why those differences surprised me all the more.
   My friends here who are from more far-flung countries are even more perplexed by the English way of life and their constant cries of confusion have led me to realise that it’s my duty as a European to prepare you all for the intricacies of student life that will face you should you too find yourself studying on these damp, disorientating shores.
   Now, of course I realise that trying to synopsise an entire university lifetime into the 2,500 characters (including spaces!) I’ve been allowed is an impossibility, so I won’t. Instead I’m just going to concentrate on one of the primary activities that preoccupies the English student: drinking.
   I’m based at the University of Manchester and knowing Manchester is considered England’s second city and also hosts what is supposedly the largest student population in the entire continent, it’s a good place to explain about how English students like to party.
   The main thing any student coming to the country should know is that the aim of going out here is to get as wasted as possible. Nights out start early and it’s typical to be in a pub by 9pm, having already been drinking at home. Manchester has a dizzying array of excellent bars but those which cater predominantly to students employ their none-too-subtle marketing strategy by simply offering as many drinks-promotions as possible. Now, I’m Irish, so am well-used to both witnessing and participating in drunken behaviour, but some of my other foreign friends seem to find clambering over drunken casualties by midnight to be a bit disconcerting. Those still standing and (at least partially) lucid though are funny and friendly, and many students lose all reserve when drunk which makes for some pretty interesting sights. Shamefully I have to confess to having often found the sight of a dishevelled girl vomiting into her designer handbag absolutely hilarious, although it’s become less funny four years on.
   But there’s release. When the drunks stumble home the clubs are free for whoever can last the pace. England is Europe’s musical capital and clubbing here’s an entirely different experience. My word limit’s up though and that’s another story...