Wales

Region of Wales

When people hear about the country of Wales, many people may think of the Princess of Wales, Princess Dianna. While Dianna is a wonderful person to associate a country with, Wales is much more than a title given to royalty. Also known as Cyrmu, Wales is also associated with beautiful landscapes and shore lines, mid-evil castles, and a rich culture.  Part of the United Kingdom, Wales is located on the western peninsula of the island.

The nearly three million people who live in Wales live near the major cities, in the once mining valleys, and along the coast. The population of Wales is made up of various ethnicities, including Britons, Celts, Romans and Scandinavians. Despite the melting pot of ethnicities the major language in Wales is English. However a growing number of people can speak or are learning to speak the native Welsh language.

Much like the other countries of the United Kingdom, visiting the pubs is the most popular leisure activity. With 58% of people agreeing this is the most popular activity. After that, the people of Wales enjoy sporting activities such as football (American soccer) and Rugby.  These athletes participate in the FIFA world cup, Rugby World Cup, and in the Commonwealth Games. However Wales joins Great Britain when participating in the Olympics. The people of Wales also enjoy being outside and traveling to the country or seaside. 

Ryan Giggs, Wales Soccer Star

When traveling through Wales, one will come across various geographic features, such as mountain ranges, river valleys, and seacoast. Airplanes, ferries, busses, and trains are the most common means of transportation throughout the country. If exploring the land, one should keep their eyes open for any of the 400 castles that were built during the Middle Ages.

Conwy Castle

Not only does the landscape set Wales apart, the many specific beliefs and holidays help maintain Wales’s unique culture.  The Patron Saint, Saint David plays a large role in the culture. As a result, March 1^st, St. David’s Day is the one of the most important days on the Welsh calendar. It seems fitting that St. David is so important because over 70% of the people of Wales say they are Christians. The festival Eisteddfod, which involves literature, music, and performance, is also extremely important to Welsh culture.

In terms of economy, Wales is struggling like many other countries. The unemployment is higher than the average for Britain. The employment rate of people of working age in Wales was 68.9%
(http://wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/economy2010/100714/?lang=en). 
Once defined by coal mining, the economy of Wales depends on agriculture, tourism, consumer electronics, automotive parts, chemicals, information technology, and other service industries. The industrial cities and ports are Newport, Cardiff, the capital, Swansea, and Tenby. Much of the wealth in Wales can be found in the southern counties, the northern part of the country is now sparsely populated.

Welcome to England

England is a wonderful place full of notorious royalty, magnificent cathedrals, breath-taking castles, picturesque gardens, and much more. England is full of individual culture and a place everyone should visit at least once in his or her lifetime.

The Buckingham Palace

Many visitors come to England for the beautiful countryside view and of course to sneak a glance at how the Royal family lives. If you are curious, like many, make sure to go see the Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, and the Clarence House when you are there. If you see the Queen, make sure to curtsy or bow your head. If you are a woman, don’t forget to wear a hat!

The Queen of England

When it comes to language, British English is used the most in England. However, in London over 250 languages are spoken. This makes London the most linguistically diverse city in the world. British English is not the same as American English or Australian English, so when you see people in the streets don’t assume “Hi mate” is the appropriate way to greet someone. A simple good morning, afternoon, or evening will do.

The White Lion Pub

When it comes to fun and leisure activity in England, a Euro Statistics survey found that most British people enjoy watching TV, socializing with peers, shopping, and playing sports. The survey found that 45% of free time was on TV watching. I am sure the Americans have similar results. If you are bored in the house and nothing interesting is on TV, a popular place to go in England is the local pub. You have a choice of over 53,000.

Cheers to that!

When it comes to the economy and job market in England, hopefully you are looking to be a director or chief executive of a successful organization, because this is where the money will be. Engineers and medical practitioners are not doing poorly either when it comes to job availability and having a steady or increased salary.

This is Money Article - November 2011

If you are between the ages of 16-24 then you might have to look to a different place to start your career. This age group is suffering the worst with one million young individuals out of work. The recession for this age group has not been as bad since 1986 and has Government officials highly concerned.

Telegraph Article - December 2011  

Hey, the economy will change, so keep your head up and your resume looking sharp. If you are an engineer or in the health field, you might as well give England a serious shot for a promising career life. Once you find a stable career, and enjoy the lifestyle of England, you can start to appreciate its individuality and beautiful characteristics.

Ta-ta for now!

Only in London

London

Consisting of the City of London and 32 boroughs, London, England is the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom. From St. Paul's Cathedral to Westminster Abbey, London is filled with historical landmarks that display the city's deeply rooted history and culture. In addition to its rich culture, London is one of the world's most economically powerful cities. With an estimated population of 7.83 million, London is also the most populated city in the United Kingdom.

Whether visiting or relocating to any part of London, England, it is important to remember just because the city resembles major American cities like New York, there are cultural differences between the two countries. While residents in both countries speak English, there is certainly a noticeable difference between American English and British English. For example, if you are looking for an elevator in London, you are looking for what Londoners call a lift. If you tell a Londoner that you like the pants they are wearing, they may become insulted, because in London the word pants refers to what Americans call underwear. In London, the word trousers refers to what American call pants. Language differences such as these are important to remember when in London.

Despite London's reputation of being a rainy city, in reality it does not actually rain every day in the city. However, the weather can change quickly, so while a day can start off sunny, it may end cloudy and rainy. Like the United States, there are four weather seasons in London. During the summer, the average temperature is about 78 degrees Fahrenheit in London, while in winter the average temperature is about 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

The London Eye (source)

While London may have memorable double-decker buses and distinct looking taxis, these two methods of transportation are not always the most common way to get around the city. London's subway system, The Underground, opened in 1863 and was the world's first system of its kind. The Underground, also known as the Tube, carries more than one billion passengers a year. With 11 lines and about 270 stations, the Tube is the easiest way to travel all around the city.

Although the current state of the economy has influenced the job market in London, the city has the highest average pay for full-time workers compared to any city in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, those under the age of 25 make up about one million of England's unemployed population. The unemployment rate for individuals in London ages 16-24 is currently 22%, the highest rate of any city in the United Kingdom.

UK v. GB

Scotland

Scotland is an incredibly proud nation known globally for its independent spirit and unique cultural contributions. However, Scotland is much more than kilts, shortbread, and thistle. It is defined by things like its football fans, hospitality, and an undying love for its deep history. If you tread lightly and show a genuine interest in the culture, you will find some of the most incredibly warm, welcoming, and fun people imaginable.



In terms of social activity, the pub and club cultures are important among Scots both young and old. The legal drinking age is 18 so on weeknights you’ll usually find college-aged students out enjoying a drink or two at a pub and then moving on to a club anytime between 11:00pm and 2:00am. Weekends are usually when you’ll see older Scots at the pub or restaurant bar to unwind after the work week.

Commonly played on the television screens of these pubs are regional, national, and European football (known as soccer to Americans) games. The 12 regional teams are part of the Scottish Premier League and have very devoted followings depending on what part of the country they hail from. Probably the largest and most well-known rivalry is between the Celtic and the Rangers, both from Glasgow. Scotland also has a national team made up of players from all around the world that competes for a spot in the famous World Cup. Many Scots are extremely devoted fans, much like the rest of Europe.

English is the primary language, but Scots and Gaelic can also be heard. Scots is a Germanic language spoken most commonly in the Lowlands, while Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language spoken in most of the western Highlands and in the Hebrides. A 2010 Scottish Government study found that 85% of respondents claim to speak Scots to a varying degree. There were 58,552 native speakers of Scottish Gaelic in Scotland in 2001. Some schools in Scotland provide education given in the Scottish Gaelic language. They are mainly located in the main cities of Scotland and in areas with higher amounts of Gaelic speakers. Gaelic medium education is becoming increasingly popular throughout Scotland, and the number of pupils who are in Gaelic medium education at primary school level has rose from 24 in 2 schools in 1985, to 23 in 12 schools in 2010.

A weather report given in Scots Gaelic:



A Bible passage read in Scots language:



The Scottish Parliament, based in the capital city of Edinburgh, is a democratically elected body comprising of 129 members who are elected under four-year terms under the mixed member proportional representation system. As a result, 73 MSPs represent individual geographical constituencies elected by the plurality ("first past the post") system, with a further 56 returned from eight additional member regions, each electing seven MSPs. The most recent general election to the Parliament was held on 5 May 2011.

While it suffers from a poor reputation, Scotland’s weather is not too dissimilar from other areas in the UK. Despite being somewhat cloudier and wetter with lower average temperatures, the weather really depends on one’s location in the country. Due to the extremely northern location of Scotland, the winter days are very short but residents are rewarded with very long summer days, averaging around five hours of complete darkness. “Measurable rainfall occurs on over 250 days in the Highlands to 175 days per year in other parts” (http://www.scotlandinfo.eu/weather-climate). The chilliest months are January and February, with an average of around 41 to 45 °F. The summer months average around a comfortable 66 °F. “Snowfall occurs on less than 20 days near the west-coast to more than 100 days in the Cairngorm Mountains mainly in the months December to March” (http://www.scotlandinfo.eu/weather-climate).

Snow-covered mountains in March

Warm and sunny in April








Stormy on one side, sunny on the other in May








A June 2011 report from Manpower (UK recruiting firm) said that Scotland had the worst job outlook in the UK. Public sector cuts hit the country hard, and smaller companies are more likely to hire than larger ones. Changes in legislation affecting temporary workers are putting employers off hiring and outsourcing is becoming popular, especially in governmental sectors (BBC article). However, the Life Sciences, Energy, Electronic Technologies, and Financial Services industries are currently the strongest industries in Scotland.

Living & Working in Northern Ireland

The country of Northern Ireland is located on the island of Ireland, separate from the other countries of the United Kingdom (UK). Northern Irish culture is deeply rooted in Irish culture. Although in the past century there has been some cultural influence from the countries of Great Britain. The dominant religion of Northern Ireland is Protestantism, tying it to Great Britain. (1) There is some contention from those within the Catholic Republic of Ireland about the UK’s influence on the island. This contention has spawned organizations like the Irish Republican Army (IRA), who seek to disrupt and terrorize Northern Ireland. (1) Despite this, Northern Ireland has come into its own cultural identity as a relaxed and easygoing country. (3)

Northern Ireland is the smallest economy of the four countries in the UK. (2) The largest city, Belfast, is the economic base for the region. It is a city known for an industrial economy with a history of exceptional engineering and shipbuilding at the turn of the 20th century. (1) Recently the IT sector has seen a substantial rebound and the highest employment demands are among programmers. (5) There is also increased demand in the field of construction as many more businesses are expanding and building new offices. (5)

One of the biggest challenges facing Northern Ireland’s job market is the increased transition of public sector employees to the private sector. (5) Government budgets are getting tighter which forces many government employees out of work. This makes the pool of available candidates for jobs larger, meaning companies will be on the lookout for higher talent.

Once a job is secured in Northern Ireland there are certain cultural idiosyncrasies that should be observed in the workplace environment. The Northern Irish usually appreciate their personal space, and will move away from someone who is standing too close. In Belfast, no one is expected to be on time since the traffic can be so bad and there is no public transportation option. Those who choose to arrive early to meetings may be viewed as odd. (4) At meetings, there is generally a fair amount of small talk before business discussion begins. (4) Decisions are ultimately made by the leader, but not without hearing a group consensus first.

The culture of Northern Ireland is a melting pot of Irish and British cultures. The influences of both great cultures have helped Northern Ireland carve a cultural identity of its own. The city of Belfast shines as the modern economic and cultural hub of the Northern Ireland. Although the region faces its share of challenges, the Northern Irish are a proud independent people with a unique culture.

Sources: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)