Category Archives: Global Culture

Culture Focus: 5 Easter questions answered

By Deborah Martin | Published: March 28, 2013

If you’re an international student in the UK or US, then it’s probably obvious to you by now that Easter is here. But before you yell “Geronimo” and dive into a giant basket of chocolate eggs, INTO’s Deborah Martin answers some common questions about the festival… Question 1: What is Easter? Easter is an important [...]

Global Culture: New Year traditions from around the world

By Kate Standing | Published: December 31, 2012

New Year’s Eve is celebrated across the world on the 31st December. It is seen as a time for leaving the past year behind and welcoming the beginnings that the coming year will bring. Different countries bring in the New Year in a variety of interesting ways, and because here at INTO we love all [...]

Also posted in Christmas, Popular culture, UK, USA | Tagged Big Ben, hogmonay, international traditions, new year celebrations, new year's eve, rio di janeiro, times square | Leave a comment

Top 7 Christmas movies

By Deborah Martin | Published: December 21, 2012

The INTO team are definitely feeling the Christmas spirit right now, so we thought we’d share some of our favourite festive films with you. Deborah Martin gives you the tinsel-covered rundown… 1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) The greatest animated Christmas film ever? Probably. Jack Skellington, King of Halloween Town, decides it would be much [...]

Also posted in Christmas | Tagged bad santa, best christmas films, best christmas movies, christmas, christmas films, christmas movies, classic christmas films, classic christmas movies, festive films, gremlins, international student, international students, INTO Higher, it's a wonderful life, name a good christmas movie, overseas study, pathway programmes, pathway programs, scrooged, student life, study abroad, study EFL, study English, study general english, study in America, study in China, study in England, study in Great Britain, study in the UK, study in the US, Study in the USA, study overseas, studying abroad, studying in the UK, the muppet christmas carol, the nightmare before christmas, the snowman, top christmas films, top christmas movies | Leave a comment

5 festive treats to try with friends

By Kate Standing | Published: December 19, 2012

Winter is a season of decadent dishes laced with the rich flavours of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cranberry and orange. So if you’re studying abroad in the UK or US, make sure you don’t miss out on the amazing festive food on offer. INTO’s Kate Standing talks you through some lip-licking favourites… Believe it or not, [...]

Also posted in Christmas | Tagged american christmas food, british christmas food, British culture, brunkager, campus, campus life, Chinese student, christmas foods, college, culture shock, european christmas food, festive foods, gingerbread cottage, gingerbread house, hot chocolate, international student, international students, INTO Higher, mince pies, minced pies, mulled wine, overseas study, pathway programmes, pathway programs, study abroad, study EFL, study English, study general english, study in America, study in England, study in Great Britain, Study in London, study in the UK, Study in the USA, study overseas, studying abroad, studying in the UK, typical christmas foods, university, what are some christmas foods, winter foods | Leave a comment

Student Experience: Winter in Newcastle

By INTO University Partnerships | Published: December 17, 2012

In case you haven’t guessed from our recent posting history, at INTO we’re really loving winter. And one student from INTO Newcastle University feels the same. Lidia Shabaeva, from Russia, who is studying the Graduate Diploma in Business and Social Sciences programme, took to the streets of Newcastle to show us in pictures how the [...]

Also posted in Christmas, INTO Newcastle University, Student Adventure | Tagged Christmas lights, Christmas markets, INTO Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle city centre, Newcastle University, snow, student experience, study in Newcastle, weather, winter markets | Leave a comment

The countdown continues: INTO’s favourite festive traditions

By Deborah Martin | Published: December 14, 2012

The Christmas mania continues. If you’re an international student, you’ve probably been discovering some weird and wonderful customs that make little sense (singing snowmen, red-nosed reindeers, jolly men with beards). INTO’s Deborah Martin runs through 5 festive traditions… 1. Santa Claus He’s big, he’s bearded and he’s coming soon down a chimney near you. In many [...]

Also posted in Christmas | Tagged christmas, christmas traditions, christmas tree, christmas trees, college, culture shock, festive, gifts, international student, international students, INTO Higher, kissing under mistletoe, mistletoe, overseas study, pathway programmes, pathway programs, presents, study abroad, study EFL, study English, study general english, study in America, study in England, study in Great Britain, Study in London, study in the UK, study in the US, Study in the USA, study overseas, studying abroad, studying in the UK, university, what do you eat for Christmas dinner, what's a traditional christmas dinner, who is father christmas, who is santa, who is santa claus | Leave a comment

How to enjoy the festive holidays on a budget

By Danielle Colyer | Published: December 4, 2012

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, winter is a great time to get together with friends and family and enjoy yourselves. It can also be an expensive time of year, so INTO‘s Danielle Colyer has come up with five top tips to help keep your finances healthy…when your diet might not be! Give a thrifty [...]

Also posted in Christmas, Popular culture, UK, USA | Tagged christmas on a budget, festive holidays, money management at university, money saving tips, student budget, student budgeting, student money saving tips, student saving, thrift | Leave a comment

Essential tips for international students spending Christmas in the UK

By Stacey Crosskill | Published: November 30, 2012

Tomorrow is 1 December. That means the official countdown to Christmas begins, which excites us. A lot. If you’ve spent a Christmas in the UK before, you’ll know exactly what you’re in for. But if this is your first experience of a British festive season you’ll probably find that it’s all quite curious. INTO’s Stacey [...]