{"id":346228,"date":"2026-04-05T23:38:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T23:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=346228"},"modified":"2026-04-05T23:38:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T23:38:04","slug":"lessons-gained-from-experiencing-life-in-london-as-an-imperial-scholar-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=346228","title":{"rendered":"Lessons Gained from Experiencing Life in London as an Imperial Scholar"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Authored by Emilio (Spain), MSc Applied Mathematics<\/em><\/p>\n

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

London is a diverse, multicultural, historic, and flourishing metropolis with an extensive array of restaurants, events, and attractions \u2013 navigating it is always an adventure! However, settling into a new country can pose challenges. Below are some insights I gained while relocating to London as an international student, along with a few recommendations and advice for after you\u2019ve settled in.<\/p>\n

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

The initial step in moving to London involves discovering the ideal place to call your own. By utilizing Instagram, TikTok, and online forums, I explored various neighborhoods throughout London that seemed appealing for living. I found that Camden Town boasts a lively nightlife, Hackney is a burgeoning area in east London, and Putney offers a quiet and green residential environment.<\/p>\n

I was lucky to visit London prior to commencing my Master\u2019s, which allowed me to visit these neighborhoods firsthand before making a decision on where to reside. After opting for Putney, my flatmates (whom I met during my undergraduate studies) and I used housing search platforms such as SpareRoom and Rightmove to locate reasonably priced house shares, arranged online viewings with landlords, and ultimately secured a lovely flat near Putney Heath.<\/p>\n

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

Once you\u2019ve unpacked and personalized your new space, a plethora of opportunities and events is available \u2013 the true challenge in London lies in choosing which activities to partake in and making time for them all!<\/p>\n

Imperial\u2019s South Kensington Campus is situated in the Albertopolis area, a vast district that celebrates art, manufacturing, and science. Several remarkable museums are located nearby, including 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 final Friday of each month, the V&A hosts a V&A Late, an open party where the museum is transformed into a mini rave complete with drinks and live music!<\/p>\n

In addition to visiting museums, I enjoy wandering through East London neighborhoods such as Canary Wharf, Hackney, and Isle of Dogs. This area is rich with historical and artistic projects, making it a delightful place to stroll and uncover unexpected treasures. My favorite location is Trinity Buoy Wharf \u2013 established on a former canning warehouse, it now accommodates a Series B startup that creates temporary structures using shipping containers. The complex celebrates innovative manufacturing and houses several art studios, alongside the original lighthouse lab where English chemist and physicist Michael Faraday worked!<\/p>\n

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

London presents excellent bargains if you know where to seek, with numerous options for budget-friendly yet delicious meals. Throughout my time in London, I\u2019ve compiled a list of food establishments offering various deals across the city, making dining out more economical.<\/p>\n

One notable spot in South Kensington is a fantastic seafood restaurant named Wright Brothers, which features an Oyster Happy Hour, allowing you to enjoy oysters for just \u00a31 each! This is an amazing deal, particularly if you’re longing for home-cooked seafood and wish to treat yourself to oysters without overspending!<\/p>\n

Tooting in South London is also renowned for its culinary scene. Tooting Market and Tooting Broadway Market are large indoor street food hubs offering a diverse array of cuisines. If you\u2019re in search of food that evokes memories of home, I highly recommend delving into the Tooting food markets!<\/p>\n

Taking a break from the city<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While the city\u2019s energy is part of London\u2019s allure, there are moments when the Tube becomes too noisy, or the streets feel overwhelmingly crowded. Fortunately, London sits at the center of a fantastic network of trains and coaches, simplifying weekend getaways from the city.<\/p>\n

My preferred destinations include Surrey and Kent. Canterbury is a stunning medieval town in southern England with a wealth of history and student-friendly spots. In Surrey, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) boasts a large botanical garden in Wisley, which makes for a delightful outing, especially during the summer months.<\/p>\n

All in all, London is an energetic city brimming with opportunities and places to visit, so take your time to uncover all that the city has to offer while you’re at Imperial!<\/p>\n

To learn more about my experiences, <\/em><\/strong><a href="https:\/\/www.imperial.ac<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Authored by Emilio (Spain), MSc Applied Mathematics The choice to relocate from the rural countryside of a Spanish island to the largest city in Europe was intimidating. Nevertheless, the last 18 months in London have proven to be the most rewarding and enjoyable period of my life. London is a diverse, multicultural, historic, and flourishing…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":346229,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-346228","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\/346228","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=346228"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346228\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/346229"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=346228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=346228"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=346228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}