Seven Things You Must See Before Leaving the United Kingdom

After studying abroad as a college student to the United Kingdom, I recommend that every tourist views these seven things for themselves.

England's Trademark Red Telephone Booths

The tall, red and historical telephone booths were originated in the 1920s by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. These booths can easily be found throughout the streets of the UK because of its bright red color. The telephone booths differ from what Americans traditionally find in the streets of the United States because they are private, whereas a person can walk in and close the outer, ensuring the privacy of their conversation. The booths also ensure a person's safety in the booth during conversation when the U.K. is visited by the frequent rainy and foggy weather.

While visiting the UK, I remember going inside many of the phone booths just to see what they were like. Similar to the phone booths of the United States, they contained a pay phone and phone book on the inside. What was different is the fact that the booths were very private and seemingly dangerous for a person who is claustrophobic.

One of the reasons why I am so fascinated with the U.K.'s phone booths, other than the fact that they are much different from phone booths in the U.S., is because I remember seeing them in a show called Dr. Who, which my father used to watch faithfully. In this show, I faintly remember Dr. Who using the telephone booths of the U.K. as a means of time traveling.

Cars in the United Kingdom

Of course as an American, I would find the cars of the U.K. odd. The British drive their cars on the left side of the road, while the driver drives from the right side of the vehicle. It also seemed as if the cars were smaller in appearance, even the models that I have seen in the U.S.

Double-Deck Buses in London

The double-deck, red colored buses are practically symbols of London. Unlike buses in the U.S., where passengers enter the bus using a front door, U.K. passengers are able to enter the bus from a back entrance.