{"id":346339,"date":"2026-04-06T03:38:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T03:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=346339"},"modified":"2026-04-06T03:38:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T03:38:04","slug":"insights-gained-from-residing-in-london-as-an-imperial-scholar-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=346339","title":{"rendered":"Insights Gained from Residing in London as an Imperial Scholar"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Making the decision to transition from the rural countryside of an island in Spain to the largest city in Europe was intimidating. Nonetheless, the last 18 months in London have proven to be the most rewarding and thrilling period of my life.<\/p>\n

London is a rich, multicultural, historic, and dynamic metropolis boasting a plethora of restaurants, events, and attractions \u2013 journeying through it is perpetually an adventure! Yet, adapting to life in a foreign country can be complex. Here are some insights I gained as an international student relocating to London, along with helpful recommendations for settling in once you arrive.<\/p>\n

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

The initial step to moving to London involves locating the perfect place to call home. Utilizing Instagram, TikTok, and various online platforms, I explored different areas in London that might be enjoyable to reside in. I found Camden Town to have a lively nightlife, Hackney to be a developing region in east London, and Putney to be a serene, green residential community.<\/p>\n

I was lucky enough to visit London prior to starting my Master\u2019s program, which allowed me to personally check out these neighborhoods before deciding where to settle. After opting for Putney, my flatmates (whom I met during undergraduate studies) and I utilized accommodation search websites like SpareRoom and Rightmove to find budget-friendly 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 realm of possibilities and events lies ahead \u2013 the difficulty in London is deciding which activities to participate in and carving out time for them!<\/p>\n

Imperial’s South Kensington Campus is situated in the Albertopolis area, a neighborhood dedicated to art, industry, and science. Close by are fantastic museums such as the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the V&A Museum. These museums are delightful to explore, with some even remaining open late on Fridays. On the last Friday of each month, the V&A hosts a V&A Late, transforming the museum into a mini rave featuring drinks and live music!<\/p>\n

In addition to visiting museums, I love discovering East London areas like Canary Wharf, Hackney, and Isle of Dogs. This region is abundant in historical and artistic initiatives, creating an excellent environment for strolling and exploring. My favorite location is Trinity Buoy Wharf \u2013 erected on a former canning warehouse, it now houses a Series B startup that constructs temporary structures from shipping containers. The complex honors creative manufacturing and features numerous art studios, along with the original lighthouse lab where Michael Faraday conducted his work!<\/p>\n

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

London presents excellent deals if you know where to seek, with numerous options for budget-friendly yet delicious cuisine. During my stay in London, I\u2019ve compiled a list of dining spots offering various deals throughout the city, making eating out more economical.<\/p>\n

One such location in South Kensington is a remarkable seafood restaurant named Wright Brothers, which offers an Oyster Happy Hour, with oysters priced at only \u00a31 each! It\u2019s an outstanding deal, particularly if you crave the taste of fresh seafood from home while wishing to indulge in oysters without overspending!<\/p>\n

Tooting in South London is also famous for its culinary scene. Tooting Market and Tooting Broadway Market are expansive indoor street food markets presenting a diverse array of cuisines. If you\u2019re in search of food that evokes memories of home, I highly suggest checking out the Tooting food markets!<\/p>\n

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

Although the pulse of the city contributes to London\u2019s allure, there are times when the Tube can become overly noisy or the streets too congested with crowds. Thankfully, London is centrally located within an excellent network of trains and coaches, making it simple to escape the city for a weekend getaway.<\/p>\n

My preferred destinations include Surrey and Kent. Canterbury is a charming medieval town in southern England, rich in history and accommodating to students. In Surrey, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) boasts a vast botanical garden in Wisley, making for a delightful day trip, particularly in the summer.<\/p>\n

In summary, London is a lively city brimming with opportunities and places to discover, so take your time to explore all it has to offer during your journey at Imperial!<\/p>\n

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

Authored by Emilio (Spain), MSc Applied Mathematics Making the decision to transition from the rural countryside of an island in Spain to the largest city in Europe was intimidating. Nonetheless, the last 18 months in London have proven to be the most rewarding and thrilling period of my life. London is a rich, multicultural, historic,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":346340,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-346339","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\/346339","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=346339"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346339\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/346340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=346339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=346339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=346339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}