By Steven Smith

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An Aussie woman who moved to the UK has shared her biggest “shocks” since relocating, including the absence of plug sockets in bathrooms and the “terrifyingly massive” seagulls. Nina Skalonja, 31, hailing from Adelaide, made the move to Swansea in October 2024 after falling head over heels for Welshman and electrical engineer Ben Roberts, 28, during a solo trip to the UK in November 2023. The couple’s romance blossomed on a night out in Cardiff and, after nine months of long-distance love, Nina took the leap and travelled the 10,786 miles to be with him. Now, after nearly a year living in the UK, Nina has put together a list of cultural differences she’s still getting used to. The project planner’s top surprises include the lack of power outlets in bathrooms and the famously unpredictable British weather – which makes the Aussie sun feel like a “luxury”. She also noted the “heavy” day drinking culture, something she “hardly saw any Aussies doing”. Nina, who also runs an online skincare business called Stillnked, said: “I love living in the UK, but there are a few things that I struggle to get used to, whether that be the terrifying size of British seagulls or the narrow country roads. However, it’s part of the British charm. And there are definitely things in Australia which would shock a lot of Brits, too.” Nina has shared her list of “shocks” about British life, including the nation’s love for day-drinking and the size of our seagulls. “In Australia, I think a lot of us save our drinking until the weekend,” Nina said. “But in the UK, it seems to be 24/7 – especially when the sun comes out.” She continued: “When I travel to London, even if it’s in the middle of a weekday, the pubs always seem full. I think I’m more confused about how everyone can afford to drink all the time. In Australia, you can get a pint for £3 or maybe £4 tops – but in London, you’re looking at over £8.” Nina also expressed her surprise at the size of British seagulls, describing them as “terrifyingly massive”. She recalled: “The first time I saw one, I was with my friend and I asked if it was an albatross. They look nothing like the ones in Adelaide and I was shocked to see they even came in different colours here.” Another shock for the Aussie expat was the narrowness of Britain’s country roads. “I drive a small Volkswagen Polo and I still worry about navigating the small country lanes. In Wales, there’s a lot of high shrubbery that grows on roadsides, which makes it difficult to see.” She added: “The first time I drove a manual in the UK, I stalled every day for a week at least once.” Nina was also taken aback by the lack of plug sockets in UK bathrooms, and was disappointed to find that the two-bed house she shares with her boyfriend was no exception. “Drying my hair in the bathroom was a critical part of my morning routine in Australia,” she said. “It was easier to clean hair off the tiles. But now I’m often running between my bedroom and bathroom searching for a plug for my blow dryer. It’s definitely a thing I’m adjusting to.” Nina also mentioned she “never understood” why Brits pay for a licence to watch TV when it’s free in Australia and that she sometimes struggles with communicating due to the UK’s many accents. “I feel like within a 20-minute drive, I come across a new accent I haven’t heard of before,” she said. “It can be confusing – and I do catch myself asking people to repeat all the time.” However, Nina does “love” how accessible the UK is to numerous destinations and how affordable flights can be, unlike Australia. During her initial stay in the UK from April 2023 to February 2024, she travelled to Croatia, Italy, Dublin and Bosnia from Heathrow – and said she “never spent more than £30” on a single ticket to each destination. “In Australia, even if you want to go to a nearby country like New Zealand, you are looking at £300 for a plane ticket,” she added. Whilst Brits frequently ask Nina why she would ever leave Australia, she says there’s a “certain charm about the UK that you just can’t find anywhere else”. “I don’t think this will be our forever home, but never say never,” Nina said. “And even though there are certain things I miss about Australia – like chicken salt and their coffee. “I’m happy living life as a Brit. Perhaps one day I’ll even bump into the royal family .” 1. Drinking culture 2. Lack of plug sockets in bathrooms 3. Seagulls 4. Rural roads 5. Television licence 6. Diverse accents 7. Affordable flights abroad