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One big difference between the US and England that you may want to discuss with your parents is that the legal drinking age there is 18, and most students do drink.
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<p>This is true and American summer students realise on the first evening that they can get served in a bar (even if they are under 18, since I think I have been ID-ed about twice in 7 years, and I don't look old for my age) and then all go out and get rip-roaring drunk. I know this because I'm a graduate student so I'm here in the summer when the colleges are hired out to groups of overseas students). I am not saying ALL students do this, but some do and it gives US students a bad name. All the college staff complain loudly about them because they then of course come back and trash the place.</p>
<p>Of course, there is also a binge-drinking problem in Britain, as you will no doubt observe should you venture down George Street on a Friday or Saturday night (can't walk down there for falling over bodies in the gutter. The police out-number the revellers 2 to 1, and they've passed a by-law banning any other "licenced premises" from opening within a certain distance of this parlicular street). It's extremely unlikely that you will experiences any crime due to this, let alone violent crime, but it can be scary and people shout things at you if you're a girl. I would not advise you to join in. </p>
<p>Anyway, even if you are not going to go on bar crawls every night, probably you will be offered alcohol by your host family either at home or with a pub meal (pubs actually do pretty good food usually. Always worth a try). It's no big deal. Even if you are underage you are allowed alcohol in restaurants with food. You can of course say no and no-one will be offended. But it isn't a shocking and taboo subject like it is in the US. There are lots of weird and wonder alcoholic drinks that you won't find in the US. Try Pimms and lemonade. But not alone (it often comes in a great big jug to share). </p>
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Another difference is that the British students in your class will have been studying in more depth (but less breadth) than you - they spend the last 2 years of high school working on just 3 or 4 'A' level subjects.
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I don't think Twirlonwater is going anywhere near any UK students. They don't do summer schools (unless they fail something and have to re-sit). But yes, basically this is true.</p>