The things I like best about Brighton
The thing I like most about Brighton is its diversity. I used to live here, but now I live a few towns down the coast in Worthing. Worthing is fine and has a great beach, but Brighton really has a fantastic mix of different people. The best way to experience this is simply to sit outside one of the many cafes and bars, and watch the world go by. What you come to learn in Brighton, is that whoever you are, whatever you are, and wherever you’re form, whatever you wear, whatever colour your hair is, however many piercings or tattoos you’ve got, that it’s OK. The longer you stay, the harder it is to be shocked by anything at all. My favourite was a local man in Kemp Town who used to go everywhere in his pyjamas. I’ve also seen fully clothed dogs, which is a bit weird.The same goes for people’s attitudes, beliefs, and opinions. You can hear practically any opinion about anything, and again, a lively bar on a Friday night is the place to hear people relaxing and chatting. So Brighton is a great place to go to develop your international understanding, and your acceptance and tolerance of people who are different from you.
If you’re in Brighton to improve your language skills, then I completely recommend that you make time to go out and just hang out. If you go with other people from your language school, try to stay in small numbers, of say 2 or 3 people. That way, you’ll have more opportunity to speak English and try out your English on local Brightonians. If you’re in a massive group, then you won’t be able to do that.
Also, don’t expect your host family to be the best source of practice. You should really think of your host family accommodation as cheap bed & breakfast accommodation. Many people can’t afford to stay for 2-4 weeks in a B&B, so host families are a good solution. They’re providing you with somewhere to sleep and some breakfast (and maybe other meals). They’re not your teachers, they probably have busy lives. They may not be that friendly, and you might never see them. They may be very shy. It might be someone who lives on their own too – not necessarily a family with a mum and dad, two kids, a dog and a cat (like you see in a lot of the school brochures!). If you do find a family that are just perfect, who chat to you a lot and involve you in their family life and take you to see tourist attractions at the weekend, then you’re really lucky – but this is probably the big exception.
As with absolutely any place you don’t know really well, you still have to be careful, and stay safe. There is crime in every city in the world, and Brighton is probably no exception. I have to admit I’ve never personally witnessed any sort of crime here. The best advice is probably don’t get so drunk you no longer know what’s happening to you, and avoid people who are so drunk they no longer know what they are doing! Also, as said, stay in small groups, but try to avoid going out on your own.
By Richard Bradford
