{"id":346746,"date":"2026-04-06T16:08:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:08:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=346746"},"modified":"2026-04-06T16:08:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:08:05","slug":"insights-gained-from-residing-in-london-as-an-imperial-scholar-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=346746","title":{"rendered":"Insights Gained from Residing in London as an Imperial Scholar"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Transitioning from the rural surroundings of a Spanish island to the largest city in Europe was intimidating. Nonetheless, my past 18 months in London have been the most rewarding and enjoyable of my life.<\/p>\n

London is an energetic, diverse, and historic metropolis with an array of dining options, events, and attractions. Discovering it is consistently an adventure! However, adjusting to life in a different country can present challenges. Here are some insights I gained as an international student in London, along with tips and suggestions for when you’re settled in.<\/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 your own. I utilized Instagram, TikTok, and online communities to explore different neighborhoods in London that could be enjoyable to reside in. I found out that Camden Town boasts a vibrant nightlife, Hackney is a budding area in east London, and Putney offers a peaceful, green residential atmosphere.<\/p>\n

I was lucky to have visited London before commencing my Master’s, which allowed me to visit these areas physically before making a housing decision. After selecting Putney, my flatmates (whom I met during my undergraduate studies) and I turned to accommodation search platforms like SpareRoom and Rightmove to locate budget-friendly house shares. We arranged online viewings with landlords and eventually secured a lovely flat near Putney Heath.<\/p>\n

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

Once you’ve settled in and outfitted your new home, a plethora of opportunities and events lies ahead. The difficulty in London is deciding which activities to engage in and carving out time for everything!<\/p>\n

Imperial’s South Kensington Campus is situated in the Albertopolis district, an area that celebrates art, manufacturing, and science. Nearby, a wonderful assortment of museums awaits, including the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the V&A Museum. These museums are delightful to explore, and some even extend their hours on Fridays. On the last Friday of every month, the V&A presents a V&A Late, turning the museum into a bustling gathering with refreshments and live music!<\/p>\n

In addition to museums, I delight in exploring East London locales such as Canary Wharf, Hackney, and Isle of Dogs. This region is rich in historical and artistic projects, making it a charming area to roam and discover. My favorite location is Trinity Buoy Wharf, established on a former canning warehouse. It currently houses a startup that constructs temporary structures from shipping containers and features several art studios, in addition to the original lighthouse lab where Michael Faraday conducted his work!<\/p>\n

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

London provides excellent deals if you know where to search, with numerous options for affordable yet tasty cuisine. Throughout my stay in London, I have compiled a list of food venues with various promotions across the city, making dining out more budget-friendly.<\/p>\n

One notable venue is located in South Kensington, featuring a fantastic seafood restaurant called Wright Brothers, which offers an Oyster Happy Hour, with oysters priced at just \u00a31 each! It’s an excellent bargain, especially if you long for the taste of seafood from home and want to enjoy oysters freely!<\/p>\n

Tooting in South London is renowned for its food culture. Tooting Market and Tooting Broadway Market are expansive indoor street food markets showcasing a diverse array of cuisines. If you’re seeking food that reminds you of home, I highly encourage you to explore the Tooting food markets!<\/p>\n

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

Although the city’s energy contributes to London’s appeal, there are times when the Tube becomes too noisy, or the streets become too congested with crowds. Luckily, London is at the center of an excellent network of trains and coaches, making it simple to escape the city for a weekend.<\/p>\n

My preferred destinations are Surrey and Kent. Canterbury is a picturesque medieval town in southern England, brimming with history and friendly spots for students. In Surrey, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) boasts an extensive botanical garden in Wisley, providing a lovely day out, particularly in summer.<\/p>\n

All in all, London is a lively city abundant with opportunities and places to explore. Take your time to uncover everything the city offers during your time 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 Transitioning from the rural surroundings of a Spanish island to the largest city in Europe was intimidating. Nonetheless, my past 18 months in London have been the most rewarding and enjoyable of my life. London is an energetic, diverse, and historic metropolis with an array of dining options,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":346747,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-346746","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\/346746","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=346746"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346746\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/346747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=346746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=346746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=346746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}