Ever in the mood to drink tea, eat biscuits, crisps, or sweets and talk about the new royal baby George? Join Georgetown’s first ever British club, Brilliantly British! The club is run by President Beatrice Fabris (COL ’16) from Maide-Vale in Northwest London, Co-Vice President Emily Fletcher (COL ’16) from Barnes in Southwest London, Treasurer Jeannine Rogers (COL ’16) from Chelsea in West London, and Co-Vice President Patrick Lim. Her Campus chatted with the girls about their excitement in bringing a little taste of British culture to Georgetown and how an ocean can make such a cultural difference.
Her Campus: Brilliantly British is a new club this year- what made you want to start it?
Brilliantly British Board: During our freshman year, people would always ask us about life in the UK. We really wanted to bring some British culture to Georgetown’s campus and Brilliantly British was the perfect way to do so! It’s not that well known, but around 10-15 students come to Georgetown every year from the UK. We felt that it was important to create a network of support for British Hoyas that hasn’t really existed before. Also, we all desperately missed our tea and biscuits and wanted to share them with everyone! We also want to make a shout out to Patrick Lim who is also the Vice-President of Brilliantly British. We couldn’t have done it without him and we’re so proud and lucky to work with such a wonderfully talented and hard-working fellow Brit.
HC: What’s an average British Club meeting like?
BBB: A typical event has a lot of British biscuits (cookies), crisps (chips) and sweets (candy.) We love introducing different snacks and teas to everyone. There are always a great mix of students from all backgrounds and cultures! Our first event was ‘(Thirsty) Tea & Treats Thursday’ with a screening of the movie ‘About A Boy’…. If you haven’t seen it definitely go check it out! It was so great to see such a big turn out of students.
HC: Do you focus on a certain aspect of British culture or just celebrate the culture?
BBB: We focus on multiple aspects of British culture, ranging from its phenomenal literature, history and politics, to the ‘sweeter’ aspects such as Britain’s biscuits. We really want to give an opportunity to all those interested to learn, experience and embrace all the things that make us proud to be British.
HC: Have you found the club to helpful in networking with alumni?
BBB: One of our long-term goals is to work and foster an intimate relationship with the alumni organizations UKHoyas and the City Alliance in London. We hope to connect Georgetown students with alumni overseas and ultimately to establish an Internship Program so that some Hoyas can find potential summer internships in London. We are already in communication with the head of UKHoyas Alumni organization.
HC: What’s the biggest difference in American and British culture?
BBB: The one that constantly boggles our minds is the language barrier (which very much exists!). People always look at us funny when we ask for “porridge” at Saxby’s instead of oatmeal or use expressions such as “boggles our minds”. Many words have completely different spellings too and some words that are okay to say in England are completely offensive here. All of our roommates have taken to acting as our own personal translators a lot of the time!
Lightning Round
Baked & Wired, Georgetown Cupcakes or Sprinkles?
Beatrice: Baked & Wired all the way! I actually have the biggest obsession with the pecan honey squares and the Oreo cupcakes- ask anyone!
Emily: Baked & Wired
Jeannine: Baked & Wired
Favorite TV show?
B: Modern Family makes me chuckle and I’m so excited that Homeland is back…although it does give me palpitations a lot of the time
E: The Inbetweeners (A British comedy that will teach you everything you need to know about British culture)
J: Suits
Dinner with any person, dead or alive?
B: I never know how to answer this one…Hmm; I sometimes wish Sherlock Holmes were a real person so he could teach me all the tricks of the trade
E: I could never pick just one person- it would have to be all the fabulous women in my family at one big table
J: Kate Middleton
Dream concert?
B: Pitbull…just wait until I start rapping.
E: Spice Girls reunion tour (again…)
J: Vampire Weekend
Favorite vacation spot?
B: South Africa. Two years ago, I went to a small town called Knysna. It was breathtakingly beautiful
E: Surfside Beach, Nantucket
J: South Beach