Whissendine WI invited students from Harlaxton Manor, near Grantham, to talk about ‘Impressions of England’. The girls come from several different American universities for a “semester” (three months) to learn about the UK and Europe including our history. As well as visiting places in the UK such as Stonehenge and London, they are making the most of their visit and travelling in Europe both as a group and individuals. The students are each allocated to a local family, who help them sample the local social life and culture.
The students talked about so many things including what they liked and found different. They said that they take life at faster pace in America and so have learned that a slower pace is good. There are English phrases and words they like such as ‘posh’, ‘cheers’ and apparently we ‘pop’ to places, i.e. pop to the shops, pop round the corner etc. They love our countryside, our fish and chips and roast diners and the fact that tax is already included when they buy things! But they find out rail network very confusing and hate our ‘soda’ (carbonated drinks), as it is not as sweet as theirs.
It was a great evening enjoyed by members and students alike.
