subject: Try Learning English In Manchester - There's More To The Uk Than The Capital City [print this page] Most students of English as a foreign language limit their experience of the UK, a country that they travel so far to study in, to our capital city. Often London is the only British city that they have heard of and so they fly in to Heathrow Airport and spend their time (and a lot of their money!) living in Greater London whilst studying in the city centre. London is a fantastic location and a totally unique and exhilarating place to live. However, the cost of living and the quality of life all start to take their toll after a short while. The object of this article is to encourage potential students to consider Manchester as a much more viable and comfortable UK city study location. There are many reasons why Manchester will allow you to make faster progress when trying to improve your English. Below are just some of the more compelling ones:
1 The First Industrial Society
By the late 18th Centrury and early 19th Century, Manchester had already established itself as the first industrial society. The many reasons for this historic phenomenon are still in evidence when living in the city today. Manchester had more than its fair share of the right people to make this happen: industrialist entrepreneurs who had the necessary capital and vision / scientists and engineers with cutting edge technical know-how / a ready supply of material in the raw cotton being imported from the USA to nearby Liverpool and the coal from the Lancashire mines / the infrastructure to ensure its quick and easy transportation by canal and train / a large supply of cheap labour from the surrounding towns as well as the Irish immigrants. Even the rainy climate meant that the newly spun cotton thread was less likley to break in the humid atmosphere! The excitment of the explosive growth that the city experienced during the early decades of the nineteenth century can still be felt now in the busy and dynamic city centre.
2 A Unique Culture And People
Manchester people are culturally diverse having welcomed wave after wave of incoming foreign immigrant labour. First there were the Irish escaping famine, followed by the Chinese, West Indians with the Asian communities springing up after that. Each of these influxes have greatly enriched Manchester and their positive impacts can still be witnessed today. Manchester is now preparing to celebrate Irish week, an annual city wide festival that coincides with Irish St Patrick's Day national holiday in Ireland itself. Last month the city's China Town celebrated the advent of the Chinese New Year with many delicious delights available in the many Chinese restaurants in this city centre enclave. Travelling beyond the university on Oxford Road, through the inner city residential area of Rusholme you will find "The Curry Mile". An area full of Indian, Pakistani, Bengali and Bangladeshi restaurants offering delicious meals at very reasonable prices.
3 National And Historical Centre Of Sport
Everybody has heard of Manchester United. The latest statistics show that 5% of the world's total population support this football club! However, within 30 kilometres of Manchester there are another seven English Premeier League clubs: Manchester City, Liverpool, Everton, Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Wigan Athletic and Burnley. All historic north west English football clubs and founder members of the English football league. The National Football Museum will soon be located inside of Urbis, the city centre museum of urban life. Manchester is also the home of the state of the art "Velodrome" that hosted the cycling events in the Commonwealth games, as well as being the location of the English Sporting Institute.
4 Large Student Population With 3 Universities
The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford are all world class universities offering a wide range of undergraduate degree programmes covering all disciplines including medicine, dentistry and law as well post graduate taught programmes like MBAs and post graduate research degrees. It is estimated that the total student population in Manchester is in the region of 90 000 with the various university departments attracting students from all over the world as well as the UK. As a result, Manchester is well set up to accommodate the student population's every need from affordable rented housing, nightclubs and live music venues as well as budget restaurants and cafes. In short, Manchester is buzzing!
5 Efficient And Cheap Public Transport
With a widespread network of buses, trams and trains, all converging on Piccadilly Gardens, Victoria or Picadilly train stations, it's never been easier to get around Manchester city centre and the extremities of Greater Manchester beyond. There are all kinds of daily, weekly and monthly saver tickets available that allow even those on a limited budget to travel around the city for less.
6 You Get A Warmer Welcome Up North
Many visiting foreign students report that they find it easier to make friends and conversation with the local people in the north of England. Although based only upon anecdotal eveidence, there would seem to be enough of it to suggest that there is some truth in this belief. On the Underground in London everyone avoids each other's gaze whilst keeping busy with a book or magazine. You can start a conversation in Manchester with anyone, anywhere at anytime! If you were to try this in any other major city, the other person would most probably call the Police!
So the message is clear. Get out of your comfort zone and discover the undiscovered jewel in the British crown. There are so many people who have got there ahead of you, but don't worry, there's room for more in Manchester, where everybody is welcome!
