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“Bye Bye Privacy”: British Student Shares Biggest Culture Shocks From Living In US
A British student shared details of her “culture shock” after moving from the UK to Ohio, USA. Spending a year abroad at Bowling Green State University, Jemima Bennett, from Bristol, highlighted differences such as larger food portions, fewer private bathroom stalls, and the prominence of university merchandise.
Taking to her TikTok page on October 24, Jemima went viral after updating a slideshow combining photographs that depicted “things in the USA that shocked me when I moved over here for university.”
Highlights
- A British student shared details of her “culture shock” after moving from the UK to Ohio, USA.
- Taking to her TikTok page on October 24, Jemima Bennett went viral.
- She shared “things in the USA that shocked me when I moved over here for university.”
In the video, which has since amassed over 1 million views, the TikToker first shared a snap of what appeared to be a huge tiramisu dessert that was bigger than Jemima’s hand.
“The portion sizes of food are insane compared to England,” Jemima wrote.
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A British student shared details of her “culture shock” after moving from the UK to Ohio, USA
Image credits: jembennett__
The slideshow further exposed bathroom cubicles, which seemingly featured uncomfortable widths of gaps between each stall and the space under the toilets’ doors.
The next photograph detailed how Jemima was left stunned over her room, which featured two single beds lifted off the floor.
“Cus at my university in England, I had one of the cheaper options yet still had a double bed and an end suit,” she wrote.
Image credits: jembennett__
The content creator went on to mention “the sorority and fraternity life” as one of the most shocking parts of the university culture she experienced.
“Let’s just say I have never seen anything like this in my life and would send most Brits into a coma,” Jemima admitted.
The 22-year-old, who is a student at UWE Bristol (University of the West England Bristol), further denounced how “literally everything is wrapped in plastic” along with a picture of a salad bowl, yogurt, and packages of dressing.
Spending a year abroad at Bowling Green State University, Jemima Bennett, from Bristol, highlighted differences
Image credits: jembennett__
The student then shared her thoughts about jaywalking laws, which equally baffled her.
“Jaywalking is defined as = when a pedestrian crosses a street in a way that is illegal, unsafe, or careless, such as by not using a crosswalk or by crossing when the signal is red,” she explained.
Jemima then appeared in a snap alongside another student. She and her friend were both holding a sign that read “Year 3!”
@jembennett__ Cant believe the fall semester is over🥹 #internationalstudent #foreignstudent #usa #ohio #bgsu #bowlinggreen #uk #bristol #uwe #studyabroad #travel #traveltiktok ♬ sparks – welcome
She overlaid the picture with a text that read: “How they make a photo opportunity out of anything.”
The Bristol native included a photograph of a house located in a seemingly empty plot of green land.
She commented: “How most houses don’t have a fence or wall for their garden/to separate them from other houses.
She showed larger food portions, fewer private bathroom stalls, and the prominence of university merchandise
Image credits: jembennett__
“I really be here wondering how people’s dogs don’t just run off.”
University merchandise shops also came up as an experience that had left the TikToker astounded, explaining that in the UK, these boutiques weren’t as popular.
Image credits: jembennett__
“How you have to sign receipts after buying any drink at a bar/club?” Jemima continued, as she shared a picture of a bar.
“I be drunk af tryna sign these things,” the marketing student added.
Finally, Jemima pointed to the academic workload that differed from the one she had been used to back in the UK: “How university in the USA is a more similar structure to the UK senior school rather than UK university.
Jemima also revealed that she had been very pleased with her decision to move to the US
Image credits: jembennett__
“Homework at university? Due for literally every class?”
In the UK, senior school refers to the stage of education for students aged 11 to 16 (or 18 if attending sixth form), which is similar to high school in the US.
Despite certain experiences leaving Jemima gobsmacked, she also revealed that she had been very pleased with her decision to move to the US.
@jembennett__ Why did my mum pause like that tho🤣 #internationalstudent #foreignstudent #usa #ohio #bgsu #bowlinggreen #uk #bristol #uwe #studyabroad #reunion #reuniting ♬ original sound – Jocelynne🌸
In a TikTok video on December 9, she shared: “I feel nothing but happiness here.
“I always felt like I was meant to live in this country but was nervous when moving here as to how I’d actually feel.
“I feel like this is truly where I am meant to be, I feel at home here.
Jemima has explained that her initial viral clip “focuses on things that shocked me the most upon moving to America”
Image credits: jembennett__
“I have met the most amazing people, people I just instantly clicked with, it feels like I have known them forever.
“The people, the weather, the passion culture for sport, I love my lifestyle here.
“I feel like moving here has been the best decision I’ve ever made and knew in my heart it was something I had to do, even though I’m miles away from home and family.
Image credits: jembennett__
“The quality of life is so much nicer, I love who I have become whilst living in America.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to move here.”
Jemima has explained that her initial viral clip “focuses on things that shocked me the most upon moving to America.”
Jemima said that “these were things I was not aware of” and found to be “the biggest culture shock”
@jembennett__ Replying to @. Hope thid helps explain how i did it! 🫶🏼🇺🇸 #ohio #usa #bgsu #bowlinggreen #studyyearabroad #transferstudent #exchangestudent #uk #bristol #uwe #travel #america #newyork #chicago #internationalstudent ♬ Kanye West – C10
She told Newsweek on Wednesday (December 25) that “these were things I was not aware of” and found to be “the biggest culture shock.”
The student moved to Bowling Green State University in Ohio as she “had always dreamed of the opportunity to move to America and study there.”
She also told the outlet: “It was too expensive for me to do as a full undergraduate so when I saw my English university offered the chance to move there on a study year abroad, I applied instantly.”
Jemima’s social media content sparked divided reactions
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What do you think ?
Michael Largey 1 day ago
This Brit says every time she visits the US, she gains 14 pounds. That's only $17.79 in dollars. Hardly worth the air fare.
Adrian 1 day ago
Not all of this is accurate. Payment systems, for example, exist in the US they're just different from the ones in the UK. I use Zelle all the time.
rullyman 1 day ago
We don't need 3rd party apps though. It's very easy and free to do a bank transfer from your banking app. Don't need PayPal, cashapp, zelle, whatever
Load More Replies...
Chris the Bobcat 1 day ago
I'm 51 years old, have lived in the USA my entire life and have never once been subject to jaywalking laws. Nor has anyone I have ever known.
Nikole 21 hours ago
The laws may exist, but I’ve never known or heard of anyone here (Chicago) getting in trouble.
Load More Replies...
Nils Skirnir 1 day ago
Bit ironic that someone who puts pix of themselves on social media, including in their knickers, would complain about lack of privacy
Panda Guy 1 day ago
Amazing. Every European country I have visited serves equally if not bigger portions at restaurants. Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Scotland. Italy is in a class all to itself. You want to eat good, go to Europe!
Multa Nocte 1 day ago
I know! Here in France whenever I go out I almost always have to take 1/2 my meal home. Today I went with friends to a lovely restaurant for Christmas lunch and I had enough left over for tonight's dinner.
Load More Replies...
Kathryn Romero 1 day ago
I have never had to pay to set up directed debit for my bills. I have used contactless pay for years. 7 of the top 10 Universities are in the US (https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings). Sharing a room is normal here and it's not our fault you can't learn to share space. We have free public bathrooms, so deal with the little gap and just don't look (geez you guys obsess over some weird stuff). We can actually trust the bartender or waitress to not steal our card information when we give them the card. Take what you don't eat home, you don't have to eat it all, and stop being a snob about it. We have fences, we also don't have fences, it depends on where you live, it's a big country.
Tams21 1 day ago (edited)
When you're young, healthy and lack the pessimism that generally comes with age, the US can be a great place to be. I was there for a year at around her age and nearly stayed for those reasons, I had an amazing time. It's only when life doesn't work out, particularly when you're working 2 jobs and can't pay rent or when you get sick, that you realise the US isn't the same as on TV. I don't blame a 22 year old for being a tad naive and I genuinely hope it works out for her but I also hope she has a back up plan.
Shoe 1 day ago
Bathroom stalls have gaps primarily for practical reasons like easier cleaning, better air circulation, to check if a stall is occupied, to provide space for wheelchairs, and to allow for emergency access if someone collapses inside; these gaps are often considered a design feature to facilitate maintenance and safety, even if they may not offer complete privacy.
Shane S 21 hours ago (edited)
I think it’s also to make them uncomfortable on purpose. If you feel exposed, you won’t hang out there too long. Nothing good comes from someone who occupies a stall too long. D*ugs/public intimacy/vandalism/etc.
Load More Replies...
Emie N. 1 day ago
Once again BP can't go a week without talking about the US. Does that country just live in your heads rent free?
Adrian 22 hours ago
BP is a Lithuanian company that specifically targets the US. It's part of their business model.
Load More Replies... DeoManus Argentem 1 day ago
The no fences thing is true in many places for the front yards of houses - those are usually mostly dedicated to parking vehicles, and not utilized really as a living area. The backyards are usually much larger, depending on where you live, and generally fenced in as a border/privacy measure because they're used as living/socializing areas. Other than that, pretty spot on - except homework in university - I went to three different schools and homework wasn't a thing, unless you count research papers... but I guess that may depend on where you go and what you study.
Janissary35680 1 day ago (edited)
The reference to homework puzzled me too. I wonder what the OP means by "homework"? It can't be in the pre-uni sense unless things have REALLY changed in the US since I left.
Load More Replies... MisterE 1 day ago
Do these people think that Americans just walk up to stalls while people are taking a c**p or peeing just stare in??? The gaps are also on the side, not down the middle. And she has adapted very well if she is blowing $100 or more on a plain hoodie that says Essentials. And no one gets fined for jaywalking. Selling mer h is a pretty standard practice. All of the observations and how these people think it is crazy and yet like 99% of them say that loved being in the US because of the all the things to do, how friendly and happy people are, and the weather. Frankly, the way they are always described, UK citizens sound absolutely miserable.
Adrian 1 day ago
Santa Monica, where I live, gives tickets for jaywalking.
Load More Replies... 
BrunoVI 19 hours ago
About jay-walking: It is jay-walking if there are adjacent intersections controlled by traffic lights and you're traveling between them and able to see both of them, or crossing when they indicate not to. The issue is liability; prohibiting jay-walking prevents drivers from being necessarily liable if they strike a pedestrian.
Janelle Collard 1 day ago (edited)
Apple Pay, etc. depends on *where* in the US you are. Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Los Angeles are all teeming with it. In Middle America, I'd be surprised if all of the Middle has it. Depends on the banking systems + demand. A town of 3,000 or less people may not need Apple Pay.
ZGutr 1 day ago (edited)
And this was the bi-weekly episode of USA bashing on BP (I'm no fan of USA, but it's very noticeable)
Carl Roberts 1 day ago
Ok, so this time the BP echo chamber is "outraged" that a person from the UK actually LIKES the U.S.
Michael Largey 1 day ago
This Brit says every time she visits the US, she gains 14 pounds. That's only $17.79 in dollars. Hardly worth the air fare.
Adrian 1 day ago
Not all of this is accurate. Payment systems, for example, exist in the US they're just different from the ones in the UK. I use Zelle all the time.
rullyman 1 day ago
We don't need 3rd party apps though. It's very easy and free to do a bank transfer from your banking app. Don't need PayPal, cashapp, zelle, whatever
Load More Replies... Chris the Bobcat 1 day ago
I'm 51 years old, have lived in the USA my entire life and have never once been subject to jaywalking laws. Nor has anyone I have ever known.
Nikole 21 hours ago
The laws may exist, but I’ve never known or heard of anyone here (Chicago) getting in trouble.
Load More Replies... Nils Skirnir 1 day ago
Bit ironic that someone who puts pix of themselves on social media, including in their knickers, would complain about lack of privacy
Panda Guy 1 day ago
Amazing. Every European country I have visited serves equally if not bigger portions at restaurants. Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Scotland. Italy is in a class all to itself. You want to eat good, go to Europe!
Multa Nocte 1 day ago
I know! Here in France whenever I go out I almost always have to take 1/2 my meal home. Today I went with friends to a lovely restaurant for Christmas lunch and I had enough left over for tonight's dinner.
Load More Replies... Kathryn Romero 1 day ago
I have never had to pay to set up directed debit for my bills. I have used contactless pay for years. 7 of the top 10 Universities are in the US (https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings). Sharing a room is normal here and it's not our fault you can't learn to share space. We have free public bathrooms, so deal with the little gap and just don't look (geez you guys obsess over some weird stuff). We can actually trust the bartender or waitress to not steal our card information when we give them the card. Take what you don't eat home, you don't have to eat it all, and stop being a snob about it. We have fences, we also don't have fences, it depends on where you live, it's a big country.
Tams21 1 day ago (edited)
When you're young, healthy and lack the pessimism that generally comes with age, the US can be a great place to be. I was there for a year at around her age and nearly stayed for those reasons, I had an amazing time. It's only when life doesn't work out, particularly when you're working 2 jobs and can't pay rent or when you get sick, that you realise the US isn't the same as on TV. I don't blame a 22 year old for being a tad naive and I genuinely hope it works out for her but I also hope she has a back up plan.
Shoe 1 day ago
Bathroom stalls have gaps primarily for practical reasons like easier cleaning, better air circulation, to check if a stall is occupied, to provide space for wheelchairs, and to allow for emergency access if someone collapses inside; these gaps are often considered a design feature to facilitate maintenance and safety, even if they may not offer complete privacy.
Shane S 21 hours ago (edited)
I think it’s also to make them uncomfortable on purpose. If you feel exposed, you won’t hang out there too long. Nothing good comes from someone who occupies a stall too long. D*ugs/public intimacy/vandalism/etc.
Load More Replies... Emie N. 1 day ago
Once again BP can't go a week without talking about the US. Does that country just live in your heads rent free?
Adrian 22 hours ago
BP is a Lithuanian company that specifically targets the US. It's part of their business model.
Load More Replies... DeoManus Argentem 1 day ago
The no fences thing is true in many places for the front yards of houses - those are usually mostly dedicated to parking vehicles, and not utilized really as a living area. The backyards are usually much larger, depending on where you live, and generally fenced in as a border/privacy measure because they're used as living/socializing areas. Other than that, pretty spot on - except homework in university - I went to three different schools and homework wasn't a thing, unless you count research papers... but I guess that may depend on where you go and what you study.
Janissary35680 1 day ago (edited)
The reference to homework puzzled me too. I wonder what the OP means by "homework"? It can't be in the pre-uni sense unless things have REALLY changed in the US since I left.
Load More Replies... MisterE 1 day ago
Do these people think that Americans just walk up to stalls while people are taking a c**p or peeing just stare in??? The gaps are also on the side, not down the middle. And she has adapted very well if she is blowing $100 or more on a plain hoodie that says Essentials. And no one gets fined for jaywalking. Selling mer h is a pretty standard practice. All of the observations and how these people think it is crazy and yet like 99% of them say that loved being in the US because of the all the things to do, how friendly and happy people are, and the weather. Frankly, the way they are always described, UK citizens sound absolutely miserable.
Adrian 1 day ago
Santa Monica, where I live, gives tickets for jaywalking.
Load More Replies... BrunoVI 19 hours ago
About jay-walking: It is jay-walking if there are adjacent intersections controlled by traffic lights and you're traveling between them and able to see both of them, or crossing when they indicate not to. The issue is liability; prohibiting jay-walking prevents drivers from being necessarily liable if they strike a pedestrian.
Janelle Collard 1 day ago (edited)
Apple Pay, etc. depends on *where* in the US you are. Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Los Angeles are all teeming with it. In Middle America, I'd be surprised if all of the Middle has it. Depends on the banking systems + demand. A town of 3,000 or less people may not need Apple Pay.
ZGutr 1 day ago (edited)
And this was the bi-weekly episode of USA bashing on BP (I'm no fan of USA, but it's very noticeable)
Carl Roberts 1 day ago
Ok, so this time the BP echo chamber is "outraged" that a person from the UK actually LIKES the U.S.
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