How to assimilate quickly

What does it mean to assimilate?

Well, it basically means that you don’t feel like a fish out of water. You’ve fit into the culture and people may know you’re foreign, but you’re pretty much in lock step with your local peers. You know where to shop, you know the lingo and you can join in water cooler conversation about everyone’s favourite TV shows.

So how can you do it quickly?

The answer is start early and try often. Even before you move, you can really hit the ground running if you begin loving your British life wherever you are.

Here are a few simple things you can do to begin your assimilation process early:

British TV

Why is TV a useful tool?

When watching TV, viewers pick up an amazing amount of things: language, accent, locations and generally how things get done

If you’re thinking of moving to the UK, you probably already watch a bit of British TV. BUT - are you watching what’s popular now?

Here are a few recommendations that cover a variety of accents.

Line of Duty (on Hulu in the US)
This is hands down the most popular show on TV. It’s a cop drama with a twist. The show focuses on a small team of flawed officers who investigate other police officers who have committed crimes or “bent coppers” (if you know, you know). Don’t miss this one
Brassic (on Hulu in the US)
Crude, hilarious and heartwarming. How this doesn’t win all the comedy awards, I’ll never know. The show focuses on Vinnie and his close knit group of friends as they commit petty crimes, drink, gamble and deal with mental health issues.
Horrible Histories (Hulu)
One for the kiddos that you won’t mind watching! This is the (mostly) British history they don’t teach in schools. Lots of poo, “stupid deaths” and disgusting anecdotes will keep everyone engaged and learning.

Bloods (Hulu)
A young bloke and an pensioner aged women team up in an ambulance. It’s kind of British Sirens but it’s definitely its own thing. It’s a low budget comedy that relies on some familiar tropes but injects just enough random ridiculousness that will keep you coming back for more.
Peaky Blinders (Netflix)
With a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score, this is a period drama for people who don’t do period dramas. It’s based on a real urban youth gang that was active in Birmingham in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. I lived in Birmingham for a while and people there are nothing short of obsessed with it!
The Great British Bake Off (Netflix)
Who would have thought that a baking game show hosted by amazing bakers and a goth comedian wearing bizarre sweaters would be one of the most popular things on TV? This show has such loyal fans! If you’ve never seen it before, I would suggest watching one of the celebrity episodes first (the one with James Acaster is simply the best).

Podcasts

Podcasts are another easy (and free) way of getting the British accent and slang in your ear early.

A great resource is this link that will show you Apple’s top trending podcasts in the UK: https://chartable.com/charts/itunes/gb-all-podcasts-podcasts

Table Manners
Singer Jesse Ware and her mother Lennie host a celebrity interview with questions all about food that is topped off with the guest revealing what they would eat for a “last meal” before being shipped off to a desert island. The mother / daughter dynamic is fantastic and as a twist, they actually cook and eat (and drink - usually a bit of bubbly) on the show!

Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster
Comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster host yet another celebrity food-based interview in an imaginary restaurant with a genie that can bring the guest their desired starter, main, side, pudding and drinks. Papadams or bread?!?!
Sh**ged Married Annoyed
The title itself is a bleeped out but I’ll just come out and unbleep it: Shagged Married Annoyed. This is consistently leading the charts in the UK as one of the top (if not the top) listened to podcast. It’s hosted by husband and wife team Chris and Rosie Ramsey. It’s crude, it’s hilarious and it’s got beefs. Bonus - you’ll learn some northern slag with this one!
Redhanded
Hosted by North London friends Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala, this show is extremely well researched, entertaining and gruesome. It’s a crime (mostly murder) podcast interjected with a bit of chat from the hosts.
Parenting Hell
Originally titled Lockdown Parenting Hell, this show was spawned from the pandemic and the insane parenting that we all went through during lockdown. It’s hosted by comedians Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe who keep it sexy and relatable. It’s a parenting podcast that only loosely focuses on parenting and is a real life line for real parents who struggle (because we all do). This is only available on Spotify!
That Peter Crouch Podcast
Yes, there are thousands of sports podcasts, but this is the only one hosted by Crouchy. It’s mostly focused on football and has THE BEST GUESTS!
Happy Place
Positivity reigns king in the Happy Place hosted by Fearne Cotton. She talks about all things life, love and loss and manages to keep it fresh and leave you feeling good.

Big to Small Detail You Tube

What is it?

This is our tried-and-true method of how to get the most of You Tube. This will help you get a better understanding of your new surroundings.

You Tube is a powerful tool full of useful information…and full of not so useful information. So how do you use it to best understand your new digs?

The Big to Small Detail method!

Start with your new city. Search it up on You Tube and first review official sources. Watch videos from the tourism bureaus and local government. You’ll see the highlights of the city in the way that they want you to know.
Then watch the videos from travel vloggers that focus on the tourist hot spots of the city.
Next, look at neighbourhoods. If you know where you’ll be living (or working or going to school), focus in on that neighbourhood. Review videos of things in that area like sports teams, universities, markets, shopping centres.
Finally, break out Google or Apple Maps and review that neighbourhood. What grocery stores are there? Where is the parking lot or train station that you’ll use? What areas will you walk through? Then search those places on You Tube (yes, even a grocery store).