{"id":345378,"date":"2026-04-04T20:08:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T20:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=345378"},"modified":"2026-04-04T20:08:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T20:08:06","slug":"lessons-gained-from-experiencing-life-in-london-as-an-imperial-scholar-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=345378","title":{"rendered":"Lessons Gained from Experiencing Life in London as an Imperial Scholar"},"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 a formidable decision. Nevertheless, the last 18 months in London have been the most rewarding and thrilling of my existence.<\/p>\n

London is a multifaceted, multicultural, historic, and dynamic metropolis with an extensive array of restaurants, events, and attractions\u2014navigating it is perpetually an adventure! However, adjusting to a new nation can prove to be difficult. Here are some insights I’ve gathered as an international student in London, along with advice and tips for when you have settled in.<\/p>\n

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

The initial step in relocating to London involves identifying the ideal place to call home. By utilizing Instagram, TikTok, and online discussion forums, I explored various neighborhoods in London that might be enjoyable to reside in. I learned that Camden Town boasts a vibrant nightlife, Hackney represents an emerging area in east London, and Putney is a peaceful, green residential neighborhood.<\/p>\n

I was lucky enough to visit London before commencing my Master\u2019s program, which gave me the chance to personally explore these districts before making my moving decision. After selecting Putney, my flatmates (whom I met during my undergraduate studies) and I employed accommodation search platforms like SpareRoom and Rightmove to locate budget-friendly house shares, arranged online viewings with property owners, and ultimately secured a lovely flat near Putney Heath.<\/p>\n

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

Once you’ve settled in, a plethora of opportunities and events awaits\u2014living in London means you have a myriad of activities to choose from and must find time for them all!<\/p>\n

Imperial\u2019s South Kensington Campus is situated in the Albertopolis region, a neighborhood honoring art, manufacturing, and science. Close by, there are fantastic museums such as the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the V&A Museum. These museums are wonderful to explore, and some even extend their hours late into Fridays. On the last Friday of each month, the V&A hosts a V&A Late, an open event where the museum transforms into a lively gathering with drinks and live music!<\/p>\n

In addition to visiting museums, I love discovering areas in East London like Canary Wharf, Hackney, and Isle of Dogs. This region is rich in historical and creative sites, making it an ideal locale for walking and uncovering. My favorite location is Trinity Buoy Wharf\u2014once an old canning warehouse, it now accommodates a startup that constructs temporary structures utilizing shipping containers. The site celebrates innovative manufacturing and is home to several art studios, including the original lighthouse lab where Michael Faraday conducted his work!<\/p>\n

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

London presents various bargains if you know where to seek, with plenty of choices for affordable yet delightful food. Throughout my stay in London, I\u2019ve compiled a list of dining spots with assorted deals across the city, making eating out more economical.<\/p>\n

One such location is in South Kensington, where a seafood restaurant named Wright Brothers features an Oyster Happy Hour, offering oysters for only \u00a31 each! This is an outstanding offer, especially if you long for home seafood and wish to enjoy oysters to your heart\u2019s (and wallet\u2019s) desire!<\/p>\n

Tooting in South London is renowned for its culinary scene. Tooting Market and Tooting Broadway Market are expansive indoor street food venues presenting a multitude of cuisines. If you\u2019re searching for dishes that evoke memories of home, I strongly recommend checking out Tooting\u2019s food markets!<\/p>\n

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

While the city\u2019s pace is part of London\u2019s allure, at times the Tube can become excessively noisy, or the streets overly crowded, with throngs everywhere. Luckily, London is centrally located within a vast train and coach network, making it uncomplicated to leave the city for a weekend getaway.<\/p>\n

My preferred destinations include Surrey and Kent. Canterbury is a stunning medieval town in southern England, filled with history and friendly spots for students. In Surrey, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) boasts a large botanical garden in Wisley, making it an ideal day trip, especially in the summer.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, London is a vibrant city brimming with opportunities and places to explore, so take your time to uncover everything it has to offer during your stay at Imperial!<\/p>\n

For more details 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 a formidable decision. Nevertheless, the last 18 months in London have been the most rewarding and thrilling of my existence. London is a multifaceted, multicultural, historic, and dynamic metropolis with an extensive…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":345379,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-345378","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\/345378","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=345378"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345378\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/345379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=345378"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=345378"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=345378"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}