Secret Hacks Expats Use To Successfully Live in the UK

[@SteveMikre44]

These experiences have contributed in making Alanna the successful and much-loved person she is today...😊🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you!!

[@lawrenceglaister4364]

@@AdventuresAndNaps you mentioned the driving licence , did you only get a British automatic one because that was the type what you had from Canada? Also if your license was a manual / stick shift type of license from Canada is your British license then a full license meaning that you can drive both manual and automatic ??

[@_stephanie]

I honestly have you to thank for my job! I never considered temp work, like I guess I knew it existed, but I really didn't register that that might be a thing I could do. . . anyway, mid pandemic the shop I worked in shut a WEEK before I submitted my visa renewal application. In a panic I applied to basically everything, and on a break from that watched one of your videos where you mentioned how you got your job. I emailed an agency and a lovely Australian woman called me back and said I sound great, she gets the visa stuff because sheäd just renewed hers, basically her mission became to make sure I had something to put on my form. I got a temp job. . . at an immigration law firm. Because they loved that I already knew a lot about UK visa applications. 2 months later HR asked if I wanted to apply for a perm position, and now I've been formally employed by them for like 9 months! It's honestly so difficult to get anyone to take you seriously though, the expiry date really is enough for them to not bother unfortunately.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Ahhh that's so wonderful!! So glad to hear it!!

[@nordicson2835]

As for crime ... l work in NYC , live in Northern NJ ... l don't think a day has gone by that l haven't seen anyone mugged or beaten up on the subway. Lovely post , as always , you are adorable and very watchable. Thank you .

[@steveconnor746]

Concerning Canada. I was telling a friend of mine that the coldest part of Canada was the Yukon. But he was having Nunavut.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

🤣

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Grrooaan 😂

[@Forest_Fifer]

B'dum And furthermore Tsshhhhhh.

[@norbertfricke7116]

You portrayed some really good points about moving to the UK from abroad. It will help a lot of people thinking about coming here , and knowing what to expect. I moved to UK from Germany many years ago , but still remember getting used to the language differences , and generally the English way of life. Your videos will really help others . Well done for sharing your insights .

[@MS-19]

As a British subject, I cannot comment on Alanna's experience, because so many of the caveats she outlines don't apply to me. To fellow Brits: watch and listen, and reflect on how lucky we are that, for all the hoops we often have to jump through, we don't have to jump through nearly as many! To foreigners considering coming to live and work in the UK: watch and listen, Alanna has the wisdom of long experience and gives sound advice worth taking!

[@shaunw9270]

Hey Alanna, you made me chuckle when you were talking about using the English or Canadian words in different situations. One of my managers at work is American and asks the relevant staff via radio if they have completed "Bathroom checks" . It's so tempting to report back the toilets were checked ... "we think a customer stole the bathtubs " etc 😅👍

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

😂

[@TusharPankaj]

This was really helpful! These are exactly the kinds of really specific things that scare me about moving abroad.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks Tushar, glad it was helpful!!

[@john_critchley]

A couple of driving notes from when I went to live in Calgary (but it didn't work out). It was a while ago so things may have changed. Not all provinces had reciprocal agreements with the UK: I went to Alberta so had to do a driving test within 6 months. Canada only allows you to have ONE driving licence so they made me hand over my UK licence (when I moved from Canada, I just applied for a copy - but by Canadian law I had to give up my Canadian one) Because I had to take a test, I had a few driving lessons; the instructor was really nice but taught me like I was a teenager and made me keep a *whole car's length* from the car in front when stopping at traffic lights, which I did but the driving tester wondered why I was doing it. (The instructor had found teenagers tend to get closer when not supervised by her so was allowing for that).

[@oaktreeman4369]

Here are some tips on budgeting I learned the hard way, when on a limited income for a long time. 1) Keep an eye on small expenses. The things you think you can afford. That's what causes you to run short. A pound here, two pound there, all adds up. 2) You'll probably spend the most money during the two or three days after your money comes in. That's when to be careful. 3) Have something in your budget that you enjoy, but could live without for a while. A bottle of wine, perhaps, or a day out. The idea is that when you know a big expense is coming up, you know what to cut back on, to free up some money.

[@howardkey1639]

Some very useful & wise words this week for any one thinking of moving to the UK from our favourite Canadian expat. 🙂

[@cwp0]

You mentioned about specialist referral for health care . Your answer was geared towards NHS referral. This is not private medicine care which is available. Outside of London (I don’t live there) you could always see a private Doctor cost you about (£80) for an appointment .. they can then refer you for further specialist treatment which will cost you as a private patient . eg a friend had a private MRI scan cost £800 ….

[@suzanneantippas8420]

This episode is excellent. There's so much content here, all of it helpful!!👏👏👏👏👏👏.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Glad you think so!

[@Elwaves2925]

Hey Alanna. Excellent video with great questions and answers. It's sometimes strange to think that stuff which is natural to us, could be completely foreign to a....well, a foreigner. These videos really highlight how much harder it can be, even if it's hard for us. Even for natives you always go through your GP first before referral to a specialist. My cousin is a teacher and she loves it but has considered quitting so many times because. You have to be really committed to it.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate it

[@Elwaves2925]

@bobbybigboyyes It's just a saying, it's not meant to be taken literally and I've been that UK person shopping in the US. I'm just saying that in our native country, we don't think about how something we find so simple, can be so hard for outsiders. 🙂

[@pappakilo3965]

Another great video, even for us older Brits. About driving: if people are planning to come here, they could pass their manual transmission test 'back home' and that would help driving here in all vehicles. It may be worth saying that manual transmission license covers you for manual and automatic. It's sort of obvious but not to everybody. And road signs. As a kid I read the Highway Code because I knew that I'd be driving at age 17 and I wanted to be ready. Again if possible people could get hold of a copy and read it to get used to the rules and signs.

[@ukpaullouis2708]

The problem for Canadians and Americans is that since 1956 ( if I remember correctly) no one in North American recorded if you passed in a manual or automatic car. 🇨🇦 and 🇬🇧 have an agreement to accept one another peoples licences but this little part has never been fixed. I do know because I have done it, if you can get documentation saying that you passed a test in a manual vehicle then the DVLA will give you a full license. In both 🇨🇦 and the 🇺🇸 once you pass your test you can drive any transmission type car it does not matter. I hope that this information gets to someone that can benefit 😁

[@jeffreywrightphotography]

@@ukpaullouis2708 Yes, and Americans can't transfer their license into a UK one, though they can drive on their U.S. license for up to a year.

[@ukpaullouis2708]

@@jeffreywrightphotography True Americans have to apply for a provisional license where Canadians do not. Americans will need to pass a test in a standard vehicle to get the full license but Canadians with a standard endorsement can get a full license.

[@clivemitchell3229]

A GP is in effect a primary car diagnostics consultant. They know enough about everything to give a reasonable initial diagnosis and refer you if necessary.

[@conorsmith8551]

5:02, you could always go private for a consultation just but then get treatment on the nhs if required ? Cuts out the gp

[@richardhargrave6082]

Great advise, proving you're a braver person than me, I live about a mile from where i was born! You have such a positive attitude, its uplifting. You're right, bad days are part of life, just concentrate on the good days

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much!

[@nealeburgess6756]

This was interesting. I was born and lived for over 40 years in the UK. However, for the last 23 years I have lived in Spain. You can imagine the extra complications that come from a completely different language. However, I love it living here. With regards to your comments on driving and car ownership in the UK. You are so right on everything you said. I used to be a driving instructor. I would welcome anyone to have a lesson or more to gain experience in UK driving. Money well spent. Driving lessons are not just for learners. Also your automatic license. Absolutely correct. Nothing wrong with owning an automatic car. They are great. Why go through the expense and stress of getting a manual license? And your comments about food. I also love to try different foods. Two Spanish specialities that I love: Carillada (pigs cheeks). It is usually stewed in a sweet wine sauce. Very tender and delicious. The other is Rabo de Toro (Ox tail). Also stewed and very tender. Long may you enjoy ex-pat living in the UK.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank yous o much!

[@Stand663]

My girlfriend is Canadian She gave up an admin job in Royal Mail and now drives HGV vehicles .

[@ShaneH42]

Informative, enjoyable video. 👍 On the consultant referral question: if you’re lucky enough to have private medical insurance you’ll usually still need to get a GP referral before you can see a specialist. It can be difficult to get an NHS GP appointment but they’re much more likely to give you a referral if you tell them that you’re going private (they’re relieving pressure on the NHS) and you should be able to get a referral through a private GP if need be

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

That's a great point, thank you for sharing!

[@notch7139]

@@AdventuresAndNaps and weirdly NHS and private consultants are often the same person!

[@2Treesandahorse]

20 years ago in September moved to UK one 20 kg pack. The 5 month thing is so true when I got here someone said 'it's like you are at party but you are standing outside looking in the window until someone opens the door to let you in'.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for this video… TOMORROW I’m moving to England for the summer! I subscribed a long time ago and I’ve seen lots of your videos, but this one is particularly useful to me! 👍

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Ahhh have a wonderful time!! Thank you so much for your support!

[@jjsmallpiece9234]

You know it makes sense

[@Phiyedough]

A small point about car insurance in UK. It is expensive for young drivers but it gets cheaper each year if you have not made a claim, due to no claims bonus. If you are without a car for 3 years or more you lose your no claims bonus and have to start again to build up a new driving history.

[@eileenmacpherson9174]

I went to Ontario to take up a job…. Arrived in late August with, innocently, winter clothes. I had to go out and find lighter things as it was still hot and humid that year, even in to September.

[@shirleyk7647]

🇨🇦. Maybe this was awhile ago? It’s so easy to look up international weather on-line now, unless a person just thinks Canada equates cold, and wouldn’t think of it. I live in western Canada, and it’s not humid here, but hot? Yes..we had temps of over 40C/110F on our Pacific Coast last June. Unusual, but still we are mostly in the 30’s C/90’s F July and August.

[@eileenmacpherson9174]

@@shirleyk7647 yes, Shirley, it was a very long time ago, 1968 in fact

[@primalengland]

I didn’t know that about accessibility to public funds you have paid into. I’ve lived here for nearly 68 years. Wow! Every day is a school day. I hope that changes if and when you decide to Become a joint citizen. Great video…. Yet again.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

“Every day is a school day“ is one of the British sayings I’ve recently learned. Love that one! 🇺🇸❤️🇬🇧

[@primalengland]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Ha! Everyday is for all of us. You have a new sub, by the way. One of your excellent videos mentions Lower Slaughter in the Cotswolds. I live in the industrial north west, but my great grandfather ran the post office in Lower Slaughter and was the local Methodist Preacher. It is a beautiful area. My channel concentrates on my local beauty, my dog and my foibles. Nice to have discovered you.👍

[@matc6221]

Nice weather, window open, A+N on. Good Tuesday vibes, and some great foreigner perspectives ✌️

[@seannyt-b]

It is mad what caught me out when living abroad. Moving with my life in a suitcase, speaking a foreign language and getting an apartment the day I arrived - no issues. Stumbling across fresh milk in a shop, 6 months after only seeing long life cartons of milk in supermarkets - made me emotional.

[@stuarts1219]

Really helpful video Alanna. I like that you've added chapters to make it easy to reference particular topics.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much!

[@naitchb16]

Alanna, I found this vid very enjoyable. Your comments about language and settling in reminded me of some of the stories my mum told me about when she moved here. Thank you and keep up the great content creating

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much!!

[@norman200]

I hope your trip going wrong isn't that bad Alanna" and you still have a great time!

[@johnatkins2665]

What a great video ! As an ex-pat brit living in NL I am STILL discovering new things that I have never tried. That's one of the fantastic things about living in a 'foreign' country !

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

It's so fun trying new stuff!!

[@georgefoster8133]

With regards to family history the GP tends to that very seriously...if you have a family history of heart problems and report to the GP with chest pains don't be surprised to be referred to hospital immediately. Speaking from experience.

[@jerry2357]

Just an extra point concerning specialist medical assistance. It’s better to see your GP if that’s possible, but if you need urgent assistance you can always go to the nearest hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) department, and they will refer you to a specialist if you need it. Also, if you suspect you might have a sexually transmitted disease, there are special clinics in most urban areas, and you don’t need a GP referral to go to these. (This knowledge is not from personal experience! But I know where the one in Leeds is, because it is close to a camera shop that I have used).

[@Smore45]

Excellent video Alanna. Thanks.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@loraleepooley3669]

That was a really great video Alanna. Thank you so much!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you!!

[@richardlee3235]

Kent is soooo lucky to have you!!!!!!!!!

[@agentm83]

I'm a Canadian who is planning on moving to the UK in the future (Commonwealth Ancestry Visa ftw)! This channel is gold, for me. Cheers, from British Columbia.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Ahh thank you so much! I hope you have a great move over here!

[@agentm83]

@@AdventuresAndNaps thanks, might be a few years out yet, but it's in the cards! 🙂

[@BrandonLeeBrown]

A lot of European countries with socialized medical care, often require the PCP (Primary Care Physician) to try to treat a condition that calls for a specialist, for several weeks, before giving a referral for a specialist. Many of those conditions likely shouldn't be delayed being seen by a specialist.

[@turkish.tax.advisor]

Thanks for the video! 3 months ago, i felt pain in one of my ear and went to my GP. He said you need to see a specialist and wrote a referral letter. I waited 1 month to get a invitation letter from specialist. Then it came but it was saying my appointment is in September :) Luckily i recovered myself during this time. That was my first experience with UK health system :)

[@WindsweptCanadian]

Hello fellow Canadian living in UK on a visa....just wondering if your next visa app will be for Indefinite LTR? I came here on a 6 month fiancee visa, then was granted a spousal LTR and then was granted a second spousal LTR. I am hoping your next visa app will be your final one cuz as someone racking them up as well they sure ain't cheap ,eh?! Agree with you...the stress is intense especially when you finish the application and then as I like to call it..."I now await my fate" phase.

[@johnfry1011]

Always admired people who take the plunge and move country, the list of things to think about seems so long!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

😂 Thanks John!!

[@worcslee1287]

I'm British and have lived in the UK all my life, I wish I loved this country as much as you do lol

[@shearerslegs]

I sometimes wish I could live in another country but the amount I would have to consider would overwhelm me. This was a very interesting and honest assessment. Thank you for the video, I hope you have a great week.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much!

[@eze8970]

Thanks for the info & chapter breakdown Alanna, I'm sure you've helped a lot of people! 👍🙏

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much!

[@garyblower1921]

Love the vlog never stop being you ❤️❤️❤️🌹

[@brettcarruthers8838]

Very informative. It's very true about grocery shopping. When I was in London, I would just kind of wander around, checking out what they had, what sort of things were available. Since it's so different.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

It's a lot of fun trying new stuff, but it can take forever when you're just trying to do your weekly shop! 😂

[@Leonard_Smith]

What a wonderfully informative video.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much!

[@nickjeffery536]

While not from outside the UK, one thing I would say is that if you are likely to find grocery shopping stressful when trying to choose which brands you pick up, one possible option would be to shop at one of the "budget" retailers (Lidl or Aldi) initially... these stores tend to be smaller, and while they don't have anywhere near as many big name brands as (say) Tesco, there's less chance of being paralysed by choice...

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

That's a good point!

[@derekcolman]

The odd thing for Brits is that if we pass the driving test in a manual, we can also drive an automatic, but not the other way round. Having said that, I once did a repair job on a friend's automatic, and had to drive it to make sure it was fixed, and I found that no problem at all even though I had never driven one before.

[@duncancallum]

Same in Aussie land regarding driving a manual .

[@iancomputerscomputerrepair8944]

Alanna, Another brilliant informative video! 😀 Most of those we take for granted and never think about.😃

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you!!

[@rolanddunk5054]

Hi Alanna,another helpful,to the point advice video ,well presented,as usual.cheers Roly 🇬🇧.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much!

[@angelique_cs]

I enjoy these type of informative videos. I wish I could move abroad, though it all sounds so overwhelming. Good on you for managing all of this!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much!

[@sophb6593]

moving to the UK, specifically london, for a whole month, in 6 weeks! even tho it’s just a month there are def really good things i can use! i’m 20, it’s the longest i will ever be away from home other than my one year in college that was an hour away.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Ahh congrats! I hope you have a great time!!

[@lawrenceglaister4364]

Ask on KZbin for Americans working in the UK , plenty about to give advice

[@Bluedex2011]

Awesome advice as always Alanna 🇨🇦 🇺🇸. More folks are moving away from stick shifts in the US and I guess Canada too, but automatics seem to be more expensive in the UK

[@Malfie657]

Interesting to hear the range of things people wanted to know about. Let's hope that in your case the next visa application is a little less stressful...I was hiding behind my sofa when you got your letter from the Home Office!!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

😂 Thanks Malcolm! I hope so, too!

[@SteveGouldinSpain]

I like this chapters idea. Only discovered recently I can skip through with ctrl and the left and right arrow keys on my PC, which is a technical accomplishment.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Super helpful, too!

[@reneebryce1182]

Thank you for this information--we visit the UK regularly to visit my Brit husband's family and friends, and am interested in which driver refresher course you took or would recommend. We usually rent a car but I've been uncomfortable taking the wheel due to the issues you mentioned. Your videos are informative and I've learned helpful tips and things I hadn't encountered as a visitor.

[@ukpaullouis2708]

This is very important for 🇨🇦 or 🇺🇸 drivers to note. Alana is correct about the automatic only license BUT! I was a former professional driving instructor in 🇨🇦 and IF you get documentation saying that you Passed a test in a manual vehicle they will give you a full license. I provided the DVLA with my instructors licences and a letter from my employer saying I was licensed to teach manual and they gave it to me. Had I had a paper from 🇨🇦that said I passed my drivers license in a standard vehicle the would have given me the full license. If you can get that, even from a driving school in 🇨🇦 or the 🇺🇸 then you stand a very good chance of getting a full license. Hope this helps someone 😁.

[@grantparman4705]

I love brutal honesty. Sugar coating is overrated!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Cheers pal!

[@grantparman4705]

@@AdventuresAndNaps Cheers!

[@white_clover767]

The grocery shopping for me, having moved from SOUTH AFRICA to the FAROE ISLANDS was a big deal. It took forever to just buy simple things, and the money wasted on horrible products, argh. We'd be out and my husband would suggest we just pop into a new store, away from home, and id nearly cry, he didn't understand how long it had taken me to memorise my local.

[@Elwaves2925]

Same for us when we spent a year in New York (from the UK). So much of it looked familiar yet so different as well. Even when we found something we liked the look of, it could still be a very different taste to what we were expecting. Sometimes that could be great but mostly it wasn't.

[@ziploc2000]

My wife of (now) 16 years moved from the US to London to do a Masters degree way back, and lived for while in university accommodation, before eventually moving in with me. She was on very short funds initially as a student, and would sometimes be reduced to tears after buying something she thought she'd like, only to find it was...disgusting. Fortunately once she moved into my house she had a bit more money to spare, and I could eat stuff she didn't like. Also with a masters degree she earns a lot more than I do, so she was worth the investment!

[@mingle95]

A really high quality informative video from Alanna

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you!!

[@paulbrown3820]

Great video. As for the referral. if you are seeing a specialist and are not happy with them you can ask to see another. I did a self referral to a new specialist after I found them and said I need to go as it was a risk to my life seeing the old team. I don't think it's rude using your old countries words so many words nowadays if you say an Canadian word most will know what you mean. i use both depending who I speak to if it's someone in the US I will use US words. just to avoid confusion.

[@paulharrison8379]

I hope that you are making videos in Croatia. The instagram taste testing looked amusing and the scenery looked worth filming

[@goggler2]

I remember in the USA there were like 50types of milk and we struggled to find just normal milk. Or Finding a brand of bread that wasnt too sweet.

[@cbvsjs]

Love the black top ❤

[@gamingtonight1526]

Wow! Britain is tougher than even America, on the immigration front! When I lived and worked in the U.S., I had an open-ended multi-entry visa. All I had to do was leave the country and re-enter every 3 years. I was in Texas, so I just spent a day in Mexico every three years, and then got my visa renewed for another 3 years on re-entry to the U.S.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Wow!! That's incredible

[@gordonwallin2368]

Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

👋🏻

[@jcasillas78]

Great video!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks!

[@andymcgarty3099]

Great video Alanna, not really relevant to me (being British and no plans to leave) but its interesting to hear the trials and tribulations of being an expat. We have it easy :)

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

American insurance plans I’ve been on have tended to be two different kinds. One kind lets you self refer to a specialist directly. I love those kind of plans! However, these days PPO plans are more common, which require you to go to a GP first and be referred…. similar to how the NHS does things. Except of course here you would have to pay $100 or $200 to see that GP for an office visit just to be referred 🙄

[@jjsmallpiece9234]

$200 to see a Dr!!! You've been conned!! £0.00 for me

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@jjsmallpiece9234 haha now you know why people emigrate 😉

[@jjsmallpiece9234]

@@MagentaOtterTravels So you are back over tomorrow??

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@jjsmallpiece9234 Well technically I get on the plane tomorrow and I arrive Thursday

[@Ian-xx1xb]

Two more hours and I can get to watching always look forward to the Tuesday uploads 🙌

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you!!

[@AaronTheHipHopGuy]

Thanks Alanna this was helpful! I’ve learned a lot from you about moving abroad, I appreciate it! Sorry your hotel room didn’t look like the photos, hope you’re doing good and having a nice day!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much Aaron!!

[@alanfisher1949]

I had to do the reverse citizenship application. I am a Brit living in the States, and I took out duel British and American citizenship... Visas are too expensive to apply for every few years, just bite the bullet and go for citizenship. Both Canada and the UK recognise duel citizenship.

[@dabe1971]

Of course it was awful for you but as a viewer, one of your best videos was the last Visa decision revelation. So touching to see the emotion and relief. I've no idea of the logistics and whilst it did make good 'content' I do hope it's not too long before you can claim some sort of dual-nationality so you don't have to go through it every few years because you are more than welcome to stay as far as I'm concerned.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it

[@hairyairey]

@@AdventuresAndNaps You made several of us cry with you!

[@matc6221]

Ha, I remember when you just got that job and were worried about driving there, all those years ago 🚘🤔

[@matc6221]

Oh that visa, sounds like such an ongoing dread, as it looms. I hate horrible mail so much I just avoid it until after the weekend, lol, because if its something crappie, that's like the time it will come 😔.

[@stephenparker6362]

Hi, Alanna, that was interesting, a good video. I didn't realise all the potential problems that can happen when you live abroad. Do you have to go back to Canada when you apply for your next visa?

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks Stephen! I shouldn't have to go back this time 🤞🏻

[@kbe2176]

Great video as always Alanna, but you forgot Cider and weird crisps as a coping mechanism 😁

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Great point!

[@hairyairey]

Interesting how KZbin is like Strava. My notification showed this was 30:00 but the video is showing 29:59.

[@iian0]

As I British citizen I have known so many xenophobic people. I really enjoy your video's I wish more people would understand that you and many people contribute . However with the constant hate coming from the media in relation to foreigners my heart really goes out to you. I hope your experiences have been good and you have been treated well. All the best.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

I really appreciate that!!

[@Dan-zb7vn]

Hi Alanna hope you're both well, surely after 6 years living in Britain you must feel like you're British by now. The British way of life must feel normal for you on a daily basis, I lived in Alberta for 2 years and I didn't find it that different from living in Europe really. That said I found the Canadians to be helpful and friendly which makes all the difference, I lived in New York city for about 4 months and hated the place to the extent that 4 months felt like a life sentence! Thanks again for your great video, you should get a career in TV presenting you've got the knack for holding an audience!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much!! Happy to hear that Canadians welcomed you warmly!

[@daffyduk77]

It's wrong that you have to pay full taxes/N.I. but are excluded from benefitting from some of those involuntary deductions. Surprised they don't stop you driving on local roads. The GP referral thing applies to all UK residents too. Unless you're eg Boris Johnson or the Queen. You could check out private healthcare if you have loadsamoney, go to Harley St., London etc, or sign up with eg BUPA for private ££££££ healthcare

[@jp80a68]

If you feel that your GP is not getting you the specialist access you need you can pay to see a Hospital Consultant. This is a historic anomiile from the 1947 founding of the NHS, all doctors were private before this, and as a bribe to join the NHS Dr's were allowed to keep private practice. Having said this even though you have paid they will expect that you are not wasting their time. You can have private insurance or join something like Beneden ( very cheap). My experience, work up one morning in october could not walk, had treatment at GP and Physio for slipped disc, lost 3 stone in 3 months, down to 7 stone, still can't walk. Christmas Eve see orthopeadic specialist, told it was neurological, wait will be 8 months. My family won't allow this paid £120 (20years ago) to see neurologist, in hosptal next week, have lesion on spinal cord,get treated.Will not nessecarily cost a fortune and other routes are available.

[@hairyairey]

Indeed, as I repeatedly point out the NHS has been part privatised since its inception. At the start the government had provided precisely nothing new.

[@jailoliaj]

Benenden is ace! I recommend it to everyone and so few take it up. It’s a friendly society, not private insurance so I don’t have the same qualms as I would for other options

[@enemde3025]

"Just go to a GP" ! GOOD LUCK WITH THAT ONE !!

[@heleneg525]

Hi, Alanna. Always enjoy your videos. You mentioned that you "didn't go to university" but "went to college." What's the difference in the UK, please? And in Canada? In the US, one attends a "college" for a four-year bachelor's degree, which is the only type of degree a college offers. If one wants to obtain either a master's or a Ph.D. you have to attend a university. Is it simply a difference of wording?

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

That's a great question! College and Uni in Canada and the UK is very similar. College is typically a shorter program (like 2 years for me) where I got a diploma or you might get a different type of qualification. University is 4 years where you would get a degree - then could go on to get your masters, PhD, etc. Of course some programs are a bit different, but that's the general idea!

[@jailoliaj]

In the UK, college is often used to describe post 16 education, you leave school and then go to college. But you don’t have to- many 16 yos stay at school and do A levels there. Colleges often offer more vocational courses than schools do, (but not always!) and they offer opportunities for people who didn’t get their GCSE grades when they were younger or want to access university after a gap in education- these can be called access courses. We have 2 year courses from ages 14-16 called General Certificate Secondary Education and kids typically for study 9-10 of these. From 16-18 you can opt for academic courses (A levels) or vocational courses or apprenticeships with time spent at college to support the hands on work you do with your employer. But- confusingly- universities are often made up of colleges (famously Oxford and Cambridge) and there are some higher education institutions which used to call themselves college. I don’t know if there are any left now- there was a move at the turn of the century to turn them all into universities. These still offer undergraduate degrees. Universities are where you go to get degrees of all sorts. You choose your subject you want to study (read) and then apply. Sometimes you can choose a joint honours degree. Degrees courses are often 3 years, or 4 with a year in industry or elsewhere to gain practical experience. We also have the Open University which has been offering distance learning for decades, so you can study part time as you work, with summer schools for a week or two to meet you lecturers and fellow students. Degrees are awarded in classes- first, 2:1, 2:2 and third. And most people write an independent dissertation and so gain an honours degree. I’m middle aged, and when I was at uni in the 90s we called ours after famous people - a first was called a Damien (Hirst) a 2:2 was called a Desmond (Archbishop Desmond Tutu) and a third was known as a Thora (Hird). Some unis then offer you the chance to study further and convert to a masters but it depends where you go. You can also do postgrad certificates which then give you credits towards a Masters. Most MA/MSc/MPhil courses are mostly independent study requiring a dissertation again. Then you can choose to do a PhD if you like and want to wear the Henry VIII style hat at your graduation. I didn’t mean to type so much! I have worked in education for 20 years now and used to work for a company that provided comparisons between UK qualifications and quals from around the world. I’ve always liked knowing how education is done elsewhere.

[@MarkARhodie]

When I was in Canada in 84, I was told that Canadian parents would pay more for a Scottish nanny, because of the Scottish accent.

[@craigoram5427]

Hi Alanna, honestly didnt know a lot of the stuuf on this video, you have been working hard and living a good life here for years, a bit embarrassed my country treats you like this x

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

I appreciate that, thank you for your support!

[@ziploc2000]

Regarding bringing furniture to the UK (or anywhere), US and UK bed sizes are NOT the same. A single bed in the UK is slightly longer and slightly thinner than a US twin bed. Other bed sizes also do not match (Queen, King etc.). This will affect how mattresses and sheets/covers fit the frames. It might be cheaper and easier to just buy new stuff when you get there.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

That's a great point!

[@sie4431]

I do wonder whether there's much point bringing anything with you when you move abroad, bar some clothes, documents and sentimental things. It's probably cheaper and easier to buy the things you need in your new country and potentially sell the stuff in your own country. I've got a lot of things that I rarely use but I like knowing I have it if I need it but if I moved I'd probably be better off not taking it with me.

[@promiscuous5761]

Thank you.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks for watching!

[@pomskylifenova7344]

Cool channel 🐶🍀👍

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks!

[@MeanJohnDean]

When you go shopping, do you use a taxi/Uber tò get home?

[@hairyairey]

Is it always 17:30 GMT Alanna on Twitch? ie 18:30BST at this time of year? Not that I'm joining, just curious!

[@Aracadius42]

Thank you

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks for watching!!

[@hairyairey]

What's on the necklace Alanna? Looks like a grain of wheat. Although maybe it's tea. Yorkshire tea, obviously.

[@hairyairey]

Is insurance cheaper if the car is insured in Mr Naps' name (we really need to know his name!) and you are added as an additional driver? It can even be cheaper if you add people who never drive it!

[@grahvis]

Where I worked in London they employed a lot of part time foreign students, many different nationalities. I don't remember there being any big thing over different words and phrases. Apart from the American student learning not to call her bag a fanny pack.

[@galaxywhispers1787]

Great video as always Alanna. Super helpful. Is it harder for you to get a visa than when you applied for your very first one? 🙂

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Yes, definitely!

[@danaknight1513]

Can you tell me about your Umbrella? I think you showed us a small folding travel umbrella. Is that on Amazon? I think you briefly mentioned it in a past video. I will be in England in July and I don't want to take a heavy or bulky one. Can you help me?

[@danaknight1513]

I found your umbrella in case on Amazon. It took a lot of searching... Thanks!

[@marck717]

Hi Alanna, Thanks for another really interesting video. It sounds like the NHS is similar to having an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) health plan in the US. If you have an HMO, then you have to get a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist. However, if you have a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) health plan, which costs a lot more, you can see any specialist you want without a referral. Does the UK have an equivalent to a PPO health plan available?

[@jailoliaj]

You can buy private insurance but I think you’d still need a referral.

[@grahvis]

I did consult my NHS GP over a suspicious mole and was promptly referred to a hospital dermatologist. For another condition, I have regular consults with the hospital specialist who sends me appointments and who then sends any results and their opinion to my GP who provides any required prescriptions.

[@PaulSlade1]

Glad I went from the UK from the US rather than from the US to the UK