Relocating to another country can be a daunting experience, filled with adjustments to new cultures and ways of life. Olamide Modupe, an American who took the bold step of moving to London, recently shared some of the things that shocked her about life in the UK.
Olamide opened up about her experience of packing up and moving thousands of miles away in a video posted to her TikTok channel. One of the things that took her by surprise was the way Brits are paid. Unlike the bi-weekly paychecks common in the States, in the UK, employees are paid monthly.
"You actually get paid monthly out here, not bi-weekly," she explained. This difference required her to adjust her budgeting tactics and even split her paycheck into two different pots to ease the transition.
Another marked difference Olamide noticed was the holiday allowances in the UK compared to the US. In the UK, all vacation time is available the moment an employee signs their contract, with most places offering 28 days, and some even going up to 40.
In contrast, in the US, vacation time must be accrued, and there are no immediate holiday benefits upon signing a contract. Olamide found this difference astonishing, saying,
"I remember telling my partner that like oh my god, this is so crazy because you have to like work to get your vacation home in the US."
Since sharing these insights, the video has been viewed more than 384,000 times, with both Brits and Americans expressing their surprise at the revelations. Comments ranged from disbelief at the monthly pay system to others reconsidering their plans to relocate to the US.
Olamide's experience highlights the subtle yet significant differences in work culture between the UK and the US. Her observations have sparked a broader conversation about the unique aspects of life in different countries and how they can impact the experience of expatriates.
Whether it's the way people are paid or the holiday allowances, these differences serve as a reminder of the diverse ways in which societies operate and the adjustments required when making an international move.
