{"id":345117,"date":"2026-04-04T11:38:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T11:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=345117"},"modified":"2026-04-04T11:38:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T11:38:04","slug":"lessons-ive-gained-from-experiencing-life-in-london-as-an-imperial-student-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=345117","title":{"rendered":"Lessons I\u2019ve Gained from Experiencing Life in London as an Imperial Student"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Making the decision to relocate from a rural island in Spain to the largest city in Europe was a formidable challenge. Yet, the last 18 months spent in London have been the most rewarding and exhilarating of my life.<\/p>\n

London is a dynamic, multicultural, historic metropolis boasting a diverse array of restaurants, events, and attractions \u2013 each exploration is guaranteed to be an adventure! However, adapting to life in a new country can prove to be difficult. Here are some insights I gained while relocating to London as an international student, along with suggestions for what to do once you\u2019re established.<\/p>\n

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

The initial step in relocating to London involves finding the perfect place to call home. Utilizing Instagram, TikTok, and online forums, I investigated different areas in London that appeared appealing. I found that Camden Town boasts a lively nightlife, Hackney is a developing area in east London, and Putney offers a serene, green residential atmosphere.<\/p>\n

I was fortunate enough to visit London prior to commencing my Master\u2019s program, allowing me to personally scout these neighborhoods before making a living arrangement. I opted for Putney, and my flatmates (whom I got to know during my undergraduate studies) and I utilized accommodation platforms such as SpareRoom and Rightmove to locate affordable house shares, coordinated online viewings with landlords, and secured a pleasant flat close to Putney Heath.<\/p>\n

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

Once you\u2019ve settled in and personalized your new space, a myriad of opportunities and events awaits you \u2013 the real challenge in London lies in selecting which activities to engage in and finding the time for them all!<\/p>\n

Imperial\u2019s South Kensington Campus is situated in the Albertopolis district, an area that celebrates art, industry, and science. Close by, you will find mesmerizing museums such as the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the V&A Museum. These museums are fantastic to explore, with some remaining open late on Fridays. On the last Friday of each month, the V&A organizes a V&A Late, transforming the museum into a vibrant event featuring drinks and live music!<\/p>\n

In addition to museum visits, I take pleasure in roaming around East London neighborhoods like Canary Wharf, Hackney, and Isle of Dogs. This region is rich in historical landmarks and creative projects, making it an ideal space to meander and uncover. My favorite destination is Trinity Buoy Wharf \u2013 developed on a former canning warehouse, it currently hosts a startup that designs temporary structures from shipping containers. The complex celebrates innovative manufacturing and includes several art studios, as well as the original lighthouse laboratory where Michael Faraday conducted his work!<\/p>\n

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

London presents numerous deals if you know where to seek, with an abundance of options for budget-friendly yet scrumptious meals. Throughout my stay in London, I have assembled a collection of eateries offering various deals across the city, making dining out more economical.<\/p>\n

One notable establishment is situated in South Kensington, where a seafood venue called Wright Brothers presents an Oyster Happy Hour, with oysters priced at just \u00a31 each! This is an exceptional offer, especially if you long for the flavors of home\u2019s seafood and wish to indulge in oysters without overspending!<\/p>\n

Tooting in South London is also recognized for its culinary scene. Tooting Market and Tooting Broadway Market are expansive indoor street food markets presenting a diverse array of cuisines. If you’re searching for food that brings back memories of home, I highly recommend exploring the markets in Tooting!<\/p>\n

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

While the city’s pace is part of its allure, occasionally the Tube can become overly loud, or the streets may feel too congested with crowds. Thankfully, London is at the hub of a robust network of trains and coaches, facilitating easy weekend getaways from the city.<\/p>\n

My preferred destinations are Surrey and Kent. Canterbury is a picturesque medieval town in southern England, brimming with history and student-friendly locations. In Surrey, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) boasts a vast botanical garden in Wisley, which offers a delightful day out, particularly during the summer months.<\/p>\n

In summary, London is a vibrant city filled with opportunities and places to discover, so take your time to explore all that the city has to offer throughout 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 Making the decision to relocate from a rural island in Spain to the largest city in Europe was a formidable challenge. Yet, the last 18 months spent in London have been the most rewarding and exhilarating of my life. London is a dynamic, multicultural, historic metropolis boasting a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":345118,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-345117","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\/345117","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=345117"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345117\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/345118"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=345117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=345117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=345117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}