{"id":345154,"date":"2026-04-04T12:38:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T12:38:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=345154"},"modified":"2026-04-04T12:38:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T12:38:05","slug":"lessons-acquired-from-experiencing-life-in-london-as-an-imperial-scholar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=345154","title":{"rendered":"Lessons Acquired from Experiencing Life in London as an Imperial Scholar"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Choosing to leave the pastoral surroundings of a rural island in Spain for Europe\u2019s biggest metropolis was intimidating. However, the last 18 months since my move to London have proven to be the most rewarding and enjoyable of my existence.<\/p>\n

London is a cosmopolitan, multicultural, historical, and lively city boasting a plethora of dining, events, and attractions \u2013 navigating it is always a thrilling experience! Yet, adapting to a new nation can present obstacles. Here are some insights I gained when transitioning to London as an international student, along with tips and advice for once you’re established.<\/p>\n

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

The initial step in relocating to London is identifying the ideal place to call home. By utilizing Instagram, TikTok, and online discussion boards, I explored various neighborhoods that could be enjoyable to reside in. I found that Camden Town boasts a vibrant nightlife, Hackney is a burgeoning sector of east London, and Putney is a serene, green residential locale.<\/p>\n

Having visited London prior to commencing my Master\u2019s, I had the opportunity to personally check out these neighborhoods before settling on a location. After opting for Putney, my flatmates (whom I met during my undergraduate studies) and I utilized housing search platforms like SpareRoom and Rightmove to locate affordable house shares, arranged virtual tours with landlords, and secured a lovely flat near Putney Heath.<\/p>\n

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

After you\u2019ve unpacked and decorated your new space, a plethora of opportunities and events awaits you \u2013 the real task in London is deciding which activities to participate in and finding the time for all of them!<\/p>\n

Imperial\u2019s South Kensington Campus is situated in the Albertopolis area, a district that honors art, industry, and science. Close by, you\u2019ll find splendid museums like the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the V&A Museum. These museums are fantastic to visit, and some even have extended hours on Fridays. On the final Friday of every month, the V&A hosts a V&A Late, transforming the museum into a mini rave with beverages and live performances!<\/p>\n

In addition to visiting museums, I love discovering East London districts like Canary Wharf, Hackney, and Isle of Dogs. This area is brimming with historical and cultural projects, making it a wonderful place to stroll and uncover. My favorite spot is Trinity Buoy Wharf \u2013 originally built on an old canning warehouse, it now accommodates a Series B startup that creates temporary structures from shipping containers. The site celebrates innovative production and is home to several art studios, including the original lighthouse lab where Michael Faraday conducted his work!<\/p>\n

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

London presents fantastic deals if you know where to seek out, with numerous choices for inexpensive yet excellent cuisine. Throughout my time in London, I\u2019ve compiled a list of eateries offering various specials across the city, making eating out more budget-friendly.<\/p>\n

One such location is in South Kensington, where a seafood establishment known as Wright Brothers features an Oyster Happy Hour, charging only \u00a31 per oyster! It\u2019s a tremendous value, particularly if you long for the flavors of home seafood and wish to savor oysters without breaking the bank!<\/p>\n

Tooting in South London is also recognized for its food scene. Tooting Market and Tooting Broadway Market are expansive indoor street food markets providing a vast array of culinary options. If you’re in search of food that evokes memories of home, I highly recommend checking out the Tooting food markets!<\/p>\n

Taking a break from urban life<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While the city\u2019s pace contributes to London\u2019s allure, sometimes the Tube can be overwhelmingly noisy, or the streets can become too congested with crowds. Thankfully, London is at the core of an excellent network of trains and coaches, facilitating easy escapes from the city for a weekend getaway.<\/p>\n

My preferred destinations are Surrey and Kent. Canterbury is an enchanting medieval town in southern England rich in history and has numerous spots appealing to students. In Surrey, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) features an expansive botanical garden in Wisley, making for a wonderful day trip, particularly in the summertime.<\/p>\n

All in all, London is a dynamic city brimming with opportunities and locations to explore, so take your time to uncover everything it offers during your stay 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 leave the pastoral surroundings of a rural island in Spain for Europe\u2019s biggest metropolis was intimidating. However, the last 18 months since my move to London have proven to be the most rewarding and enjoyable of my existence. London is a cosmopolitan, multicultural, historical, and lively…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":345155,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-345154","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\/345154","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=345154"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345154\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/345155"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=345154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=345154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=345154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}