Can you really...?

Question

When I'm 18, I plan to move to the UK and live my life over there, but I have a few questions:

1. Do people get looked down upon if they're American?

2. Can you pick up a British accent if your there for a long time?

3. If you can, how long do you have to be there?

thanks :]

Answer 1

Hi, I'm Singaporean and currently living in Manchester in the UK, here's my opinion for you:

1. No worries, you don't get looked down upon generally, unless you make yourself stand out etc.

2. Yes you can pick up a british accent... but there isn't such a thing as a single british accent. Mancunians speak in a different way from Londoners. So it depends on where you are.

3. I have been here almost 7 months or so, and it's quite enough to be able to speak with some accent already :) Haha but it might take years. Don't worry about it.

Cheers!

Answer 2

I'm planning to do the same thing when I'm 18, but I'm from Canada.

I wouldn't actually move there if my family weren't from there, but hey, everyone's different.

Answer 3

To answer your questions

1. Yes sometimes, but England isn't much better than us these days in terms of politics so it shouldn't be a big issue

2. Yeah you will pick up an accent quickly... if you are trying to. I think 6 months-1 year and you will have it down.

But more importantly.... how are you planning to live there exactly?  Unless you were born there, or your parents are from there it isn't so easy to just up and move. You could go to college there and get a student visa but you wont be allowed to work to support yourself. (maybe a little under the table pub work) Nanny/Au pair would allow you to be there 1 year at the most.

If you aren't going to school and plan to just buy an airline ticket...then you are only allowed to be in the country for 6 months legally. Then you have to leave.

What's your plan? Cause I would love to do that as well...but it's harder than you think!