{"id":344747,"date":"2026-04-04T00:08:03","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T00:08:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=344747"},"modified":"2026-04-04T00:08:03","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T00:08:03","slug":"lessons-ive-gained-from-my-experience-as-an-imperial-student-in-london-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=344747","title":{"rendered":"Lessons I\u2019ve Gained from My Experience as an Imperial Student in London"},"content":{"rendered":"

Authored by Emilio (Spain), MSc Applied Mathematics<\/em><\/p>\n

Choosing to relocate from a rural island in Spain to the largest city in Europe was intimidating. Nevertheless, the last 18 months in London have proven to be the most rewarding and thrilling period of my life.<\/p>\n

London is a multifaceted, multicultural, historical, and lively city filled with an extensive range of eateries, events, and landmarks\u2014navigating it is always an adventure! However, acclimating to life in a foreign country can be tough. Here are some insights I’ve gained as an international student in London, along with advice on what to do after you’ve established yourself.<\/p>\n

Relocating to London as a postgraduate student<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The initial move to London involves identifying the ideal place to call home. Utilizing Instagram, TikTok, and online communities, I researched different neighborhoods in London that might be enjoyable to reside in. I discovered Camden Town’s lively nightlife, Hackney’s up-and-coming scene, and Putney’s serene, green residential atmosphere.<\/p>\n

I was lucky to visit London prior to commencing my Master’s program, which allowed me to explore these areas firsthand before making my residential choice. After selecting Putney, my flatmates (whom I met during my undergraduate studies) and I used accommodation search platforms like SpareRoom and Rightmove to locate affordable shared housing, scheduled online viewings with landlords, and ultimately secured a lovely flat near Putney Heath.<\/p>\n

Activities in London<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Once you’ve moved in and decorated your new home, a realm of opportunities and events is at your fingertips\u2014the challenge in London lies in selecting which activities to participate in and finding time for them all!<\/p>\n

Imperial’s South Kensington Campus is situated in the Albertopolis area, a district that honors art, manufacturing, and science. Nearby are fantastic museums like the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the V&A Museum. These museums are wonderful to explore, with some open late on Fridays. On the last Friday of every month, the V&A hosts a V&A Late, turning the museum into a vibrant celebration with beverages and live music!<\/p>\n

In addition to visiting museums, I relish venturing into East London neighborhoods such as Canary Wharf, Hackney, and Isle of Dogs. This region is steeped in history and artistic initiatives, making it a delightful area to wander and uncover unexpected treasures. My favorite location is Trinity Buoy Wharf\u2014constructed on an old canning warehouse, it now accommodates a Series B startup developing temporary structures from shipping containers. The site celebrates innovative manufacturing and hosts multiple art studios, including the original lighthouse lab where Michael Faraday conducted his research!<\/p>\n

Dining out in London<\/strong><\/h3>\n

London presents excellent deals if you know where to search, featuring countless opportunities for budget-friendly yet high-quality dining. During my time in London, I’ve compiled a list of eateries with various promotions throughout the city, making dining out more economical.<\/p>\n

One such establishment is in South Kensington, where a marvelous seafood restaurant named Wright Brothers provides an Oyster Happy Hour, with oysters priced at just \u00a31 each! This is a fantastic deal, especially if you\u2019re yearning for the flavors of home seafood and want to indulge in oysters to your heart’s (and wallet’s) desire!<\/p>\n

Tooting in South London is also renowned for its culinary scene. Tooting Market and Tooting Broadway Market are expansive indoor street food venues showcasing a wide array of cuisines. If you’re in search of food reminiscent of home, I highly suggest checking out the Tooting food markets!<\/p>\n

Escaping the city<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While the hustle and bustle of the city is part of London’s allure, at times the Tube can become overwhelmingly loud, or the streets too crowded, with people everywhere. Fortunately, London is centrally located within a fantastic transport network of trains and coaches, making it simple to escape the city for a weekend.<\/p>\n

My favorite destinations are Surrey and Kent. Canterbury is a stunning medieval town in southern England, rich in history and student-friendly venues. In Surrey, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) features a large botanical garden in Wisley, ideal for a summer day trip.<\/p>\n

Overall, London is a lively city brimming with opportunities and places to investigate, so take your time to discover all that the city has to offer during your time at Imperial!<\/p>\n

To learn more about my experiences, <\/em><\/strong>read my Imperial story. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Authored by Emilio (Spain), MSc Applied Mathematics Choosing to relocate from a rural island in Spain to the largest city in Europe was intimidating. Nevertheless, the last 18 months in London have proven to be the most rewarding and thrilling period of my life. London is a multifaceted, multicultural, historical, and lively city filled with…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":344748,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-344747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344747","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=344747"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344747\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/344748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=344747"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=344747"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=344747"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}