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Questions for American and other international/non uk mners

236 replies

Graphista · 26/06/2019 23:04

I love learning about other cultures and lifestyles. Lived in Europe myself for a while but a long time ago now. Never been outside Europe though.

Pure curiosity prompted by watching tv shows and films made outside uk.

What's the difference between a condo and an apartment?

Do you have semi detached houses in America? Terraced? I ask because I think they must be called something else there.

What's the equivalent of our going to Spain & similar on package holidays where you are? What type of holidays do ordinary families have?

What about things considered traditionally British? Do other countries do Sunday dinner? On Sunday's or different days?

As someone who was a mature student twice I've also noticed that this isn't something that's portrayed on American tv, or even particularly on Australian or New Zealand output so is that because it's not a "thing" outside the uk or just a weird skewing due to scriptwriters?

What about gap years? Again American shows seem to have youngsters going straight to uni from high school if they're going to go.

Also there's a lot of talk of saving for kids to go to uni but I'm guessing there's support for students from poorer backgrounds? How does that work?

What are bank holidays like where you live? What do people do for them? Are they called public holidays or something else?

Drink driving seems to be very socially acceptable in the states, is that accurate?

Is "soccer mom" slang for sahm?

I got the impression going to summer camp was a thing a lot of American kids did, but then a friend said she'd been a camp counsellor years ago (not American) and that they're quite expensive so it's better off families that do this?

What's childcare like where you are? Again seems to be that in America and also Canada that pretty much anyone can set up a daycare business or be a Daytime "babysitter" (what we'd call a childminder)? Is it not well regulated?

Do American families really tend toward having cooked breakfasts of some description? There seems to be a lot of making pancakes, waffles, eggs & bacon in tv shows (makes me hungry!)

For other mners living in various countries what is the usual breakfast where you are?

When I lived in Europe when I was in hospital the meals were of course based on the norm for where I was living, but for me as a Brit it still felt odd having breads/crackers, cheeses, relishes and pastries for breakfast (I'm veggie, for non veggies there was also deli meats, sausage). I'm fascinated when I read articles on breakfasts around the world and see things like pickled fish, rice dishes even stews!

But then as a Scot I'm reminded of that "highlander" movie script section (a bizarrely cast film where a Frenchman is playing a Scot and a Scot an Egyptian with a Spanish name and a broad Edinburgh accent!) where Connor describes haggis to Juan and Juan is disgusted at the sound of it! So yea I appreciate a glasgow fry which can of course include fried slice of haggis, along with Lorne sausage, tattie scones, black pudding, white pudding, bacon, fried eggs, fried bread, mushrooms, tomatoes and baked beans.

Baked beans - that's another thing. It was one of the few things I bought at the naafi because British baked beans don't taste like baked beans from anywhere else. I Also bought marmite, white sliced (I liked European bread but sometimes our doughy white bread toasted and buttered was needed for the perfect beans on toast or fried egg sandwich)

So...tell me about real life in the rest of the world? I'm sure other mners will also have questions.

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MissConductUS · 10/11/2021 18:43

Some universities have moved to SAT/ACT optional as it is recognised that there is a major industry focused on preparing students for these tests and results may reflect years of intense prepping and the money it takes to do that.

There is a less altruistic motive for universities to make these tests optional. All of the various independent rankings of universities in the US use the average SAT and ACT scores of the student who are attend there as a large factor in the overall ranking of the university. Higher average scores imply greater selectivity and prestige.

When the scores are made optional, students who scored poorly stop submitting them. That raises the average and improves the ranking of the university. For the middle tier universities, those rankings are very important in attracting more applicants so they do everything possible to improve them.

I can't believe I've missed this thread up until now. I'm a Yank, with two kids in university.

MissConductUS · 10/11/2021 18:55

@IHaveBrilloHair

I watch a crap US reality show where a few of them have been caught, they say they have DUI's but I think they just get fined? Also, they are constantly shown on their phones whilst driving and often not having their kids restrained properly, mainly rural areas if that makes a difference.
In some states, DUI and DWI are legally the same, but you can be DUI for reasons other than alcohol. DWI is always alcohol-related.

The laws vary from state to state, but usually involve fines, license suspension, and possible jail time for egregious or repeat offenses. It's treated quite seriously.

www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/difference-between-dui-and-dwi/

Where I am in New York, distracted driving is also a citable offense and the police actively look for it.

Fordian · 10/11/2021 22:49

A 3 year old thread revived! And very interesting it has been!

My question is about US university entrance, and structure.

Obviously we all know that in the UK, 'solid' universities require 3 A levels at BBB, let's say; so you'll go RG and do a linear course in your subject for 3 years.

I gather that's not how it works the US?

Upthread, 3 years ago, someone mentioned a generalised 'finish high school' qualification. I assume that varies from state to state? How is that measured? And that you can then cobble together credits towards a final 4 year degree. Is that the case?

Loved reading the thread.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

elp30 · 11/11/2021 01:01

I can only go from my experience and that of my current university student daughter in Texas.

When you start high school, you have a schedule of required courses, mandated by the state's educational board, that must be taken and passed in order to fulfill the requirements for graduation. For example: there must be courses over the four years of mathematics and English, science, history, arts, foreign language, physical education etc... You can also add courses that are for your interests that are called "electives". They all add to the broad scope of education.

During the four years, the classes the students take and pass have a numerical value. If a student takes an English class, for example, and passes it with a perfect score (100) through class work and exams, it's given the value of 4.0 if they fail the class (69 and less), they only receive 0 and the grades between 99-70 have their own values and they make up the cumulative grade point average (GPA). The GPA also determines where the student stands with other students within their grade level.

Students must also take state mandated tests to gauge their learning throughout their time in high school. Additionally, students can also take PSAT, SAT and ACT and AP (these are similar to A-levels) exams which are national exams that are geared towards college/university acceptance. The scores received are used, in addition, to the GPA and extra-curricular activities for acceptance into a university of the student's choosing. The student's standing, through GPA, national exams also help with scholarships for the student.

My daughter's university (it will be different for other universities and their acceptance requirements differ) required for her to attend: a high school diploma, a minimum GPA, SAT/ACT scores, for more challenging courses, AP scores are accepted for credit. University is generally four years for bachelor's degrees. The set-up is similar to high school where the university requires "core courses" of 60 credits or two years. Upper-level courses are another 60 credits or the remaining two years. Because of my daughter's GPA & her AP scores, she was able to earn enough credit to only need to attend three years. That's a savings of both time and money.

I hope that helps a bit. Others will have different experiences, I'm sure.

Fordian · 11/11/2021 10:31

Thanks, that's interesting!

MissConductUS · 11/11/2021 11:58

I would just add that one reason the standardized tests are so important is because the states do have different standards for high school graduation. They are also very good predictors of success in university. You are not doing young people a favor by admitting them to an academic program that they have low odds of completing. Making the tests optional because it benefits the university is not taking the moral high ground.

SarahAndQuack · 11/11/2021 12:16

@BertieBotts

What bugs me is that you are expected to provide your child, from kindergarten up to leaving school (so every weekday for 15 years) a packed second breakfast to eat at around 11am. This consists of a small sandwich or filled roll, something fresh cut up and perhaps a snack. I am a complete Rabenmutter (neglectful mother) and just throw a pepperami and some crackers in a lunch box because DS1 never eats any of it anyway and if it comes home still edible I can direct him to it as an after school snack. Drives me nuts, we signed him up for school dinners for a reason.
OMG, how did I not know this? That's suddenly explained something about my brother's children's eating habits that has been puzzling me for the best part of a decade now!
Fordian · 11/11/2021 12:28

@MissConductUS

I would just add that one reason the standardized tests are so important is because the states do have different standards for high school graduation. They are also very good predictors of success in university. You are not doing young people a favor by admitting them to an academic program that they have low odds of completing. Making the tests optional because it benefits the university is not taking the moral high ground.
That's interesting.

Do most unis have a first year of general studies, followed by three years of doing 'your subject'? As I'm sure you know, UK students dive straight into their degree from the start.

And are many courses modular, as in you build up points from taking loads of different modules?

MissConductUS · 11/11/2021 13:13

Do most unis have a first year of general studies, followed by three years of doing 'your subject'? As I'm sure you know, UK students dive straight into their degree from the start.

Yes, except that it's not strictly separated by years, it's done by total course credits over four years. You could, for example, satisfy your foreign language requirement in your fourth year. My daughter is majoring in neurobiology with a minor in data science, and she took some of those courses in her first year.

And are many courses modular, as in you build up points from taking loads of different modules?

Some courses are only half a semester, followed optionally by a follow-on course that's also half a semester. I haven't heard of any being subdivided more than that.

There are also electives, pursued purely for interest. My son, who is an accounting major is currently taking a course in American politics and another in cinematography. He's in his fourth year.

elp30 · 11/11/2021 13:30

@Fordian

I mentioned earlier that the first two years, 60 credits, consist of "core" courses similar to high school. Those are mathematics, science, English, history, etc... For example, If your major is science-based, the required mathematics and science courses at the beginning, would probably be more advanced than for someone pursuing a language degree. There are many first year courses with names such as, "Computing for Arts Majors" which is geared more towards programs for art than those used for business. But the first two-years are meant to fulfill a broad education.

The remaining two years are spent in the major and the "school/department" the major is in. For example, if you major in Business, the classes are in the "school" or "department of business" so the courses are of entrepreneurship, finance, economics, administration, accounting, management, marketing.

Plus, you can also have courses in another department to add to your degree. If you accumulate a second concentration it's called a "minor". There are loads of combinations. A friend did a BSc in Business and a minor in Spanish. Another friend did a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Illustration) with a minor in Anatomy.

MissConductUS · 11/11/2021 13:48

elp30, is your daughter attending uni in Texas as an international student or are you ex-pats living in the US?

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