I went to Freshers’ Week in the UK and it was madness
They drink a lot more than us
At King’s College in London, Freshman Week, or “Freshers’ Week” as they call it, is very different experience than the first weeks at UNC.
I was ordering a “Porn Star martini” while most of my friends at UNC were signing up for club listservs.
The Porn Star martini, a favorite of mine, is described as “An orgy of exciting flavours” and includes “Stoli Vanil vodka and Passoa double-teamed with passion fruit puree and vanilla sugar. Served straight up and chaperoned by bubbles.”
The drinks may be “chaperoned” at the London Academy of Bartenders (LAB), but the crowd sure isn’t.
The students are here to enjoy Welcome Week events courtesy of King’s College London. Large, colorful glasses of fruity drinks, as well as your basic ol’ tequila shots, were served up to freshers getting pissed.
For American translation: Freshers’ Week in the UK is when new undergrads drink.
Hosted by King’s College Cocktail Society, this welcoming event gave a (literal) taste of the club’s purpose. Freshers’ Week offers events hosted by different clubs, from outdoor picnics to first club meetings.
Feeling awkwardly American, sitting in a corner chewing gum, my friend Tyler and I unashamedly introduced ourselves to two outgoing Brits, Becca and Amy. Hoping to meet new faces and have a good time, they were more than happy to explain what Freshers’ Week is really like.
Becca said: “I was out six nights last week.”
Amy said: “It doesn’t really matter if you’re a freshman. Everyone’s just getting langers.” “Langers” is apparently a British phrase for being intoxicated.
Clubs are a crucial part of Welcome Week at UNC, so I made sure to ask about the clubs here at King’s College London. Apparently, there’s also a bit of a club rivalry with University College London.
And if there’s one thing UNC students can appreciate, it’s a good rivalry. GTHD.
It seems like Brits evenly split their time between studying, sleeping and drinking. And repeat.
Intrigued, I decided to see what else KCL and UNC have in common, so I checked out their welcome websites.
KCL had an emphasis on bar-related events. One event read, “Left forum: Lefty welcome drinks. Interested in left-wing ideas?” Maybe, maybe not. But whether you’re drinking to a hopeful future or lack of one, you’ll be in a good mood, guaranteed.
Another event, “Unlocking London,” was an entertainment specific program for newcomers and city dwellers alike to take advantage of cultural and nightlife events.
Obviously, Welcome Week at UNC didn’t involve any alcohol. But there is an emphasis on free food. Americans must find the heart of students through their stomach.
One of the big events at UNC is Fallfest, when the student organizations line South Road in the middle of campus. KCL has no event that even comes close. Instead, each club at KCL puts on their own events. In some cases, like International Student Tour, KCL will sponsor it.
I’ll think over my club choices over a cocktail.