{"id":348450,"date":"2026-04-09T00:08:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T00:08:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=348450"},"modified":"2026-04-09T00:08:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T00:08:05","slug":"insights-gained-from-residing-in-london-as-an-imperial-scholar-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/?p=348450","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 peaceful countryside of a rural Spanish island to the largest city in Europe was intimidating. However, the last 18 months in London have proven to be the most rewarding and thrilling of my life.<\/p>\n

London is a lively, diverse, historic, and ever-evolving metropolis with numerous restaurants, events, and attractions \u2013 discovering it is always an exhilarating experience! Nonetheless, adjusting to life in a foreign country can pose difficulties. Here are some insights I’ve gained as an international student relocating to London, along with some tips and recommendations for settling in.<\/p>\n

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

The initial phase of moving to London involves finding the ideal place to call your own. I utilized Instagram, TikTok, and online forums to investigate various localities in London that might be enjoyable to reside in. I learned that Camden Town boasts a vibrant nightlife, Hackney is an up-and-coming area in east London, and Putney offers a tranquil and green residential environment.<\/p>\n

I was lucky enough to visit London prior to commencing my Master\u2019s, enabling me to check out these neighborhoods firsthand before choosing a place to live. After opting for 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, set up online viewings with landlords, and ultimately secured a pleasant flat close to Putney Heath.<\/p>\n

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

Once you\u2019ve settled in and styled your new space, a plethora of opportunities and activities awaits \u2013 the real dilemma in London is choosing which events to attend and finding time for everything!<\/p>\n

Imperial\u2019s South Kensington Campus is situated in the Albertopolis district, an area that celebrates art, industry, and science. There are numerous fantastic museums nearby, including the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the V&A Museum. These museums are delightful to explore, with some staying open late on Fridays. On the last Friday of each month, the V&A hosts a V&A Late, an open gathering where the museum morphs into a mini rave featuring drinks and live music!<\/p>\n

In addition to museum visits, I relish discovering East London neighborhoods such as Canary Wharf, Hackney, and Isle of Dogs. This region is rich in historical landmarks and creative initiatives, making it a captivating area to explore. My favorite location is Trinity Buoy Wharf \u2013 constructed on an old canning warehouse, it now accommodates a Series B startup that produces temporary structures from shipping containers. The complex honors creative manufacturing and is home to several art studios as well as the original lighthouse lab where the renowned English chemist and physicist Michael Faraday conducted his work!<\/p>\n

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

London presents numerous bargains if you know where to search, along with plenty of options for tasty yet affordable meals. Throughout my time in London, I\u2019ve compiled a list of dining spots featuring various deals across the city, making going out to eat more budget-friendly.<\/p>\n

One recommended spot is in South Kensington, where a fantastic seafood establishment called Wright Brothers offers an Oyster Happy Hour, letting you enjoy oysters for merely \u00a31 each! This is an excellent offer, particularly if you\u2019re longing for the flavors of home and want to indulge in oysters without overspending!<\/p>\n

Tooting in South London is also famed for its culinary scene. Tooting Market and Tooting Broadway Market are expansive indoor street food markets providing a wide assortment of cuisines. If you\u2019re in search of food that brings back memories of home, I highly encourage you to check out the Tooting food markets!<\/p>\n

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

Although the city’s pace contributes to London\u2019s allure, there are times when the Tube becomes too noisy, or the streets are overly crowded. Fortunately, London sits at the center of an excellent network of trains and coaches, making it simple to escape the city for a weekend retreat.<\/p>\n

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

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

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

Authored by Emilio (Spain), MSc Applied Mathematics Transitioning from the peaceful countryside of a rural Spanish island to the largest city in Europe was intimidating. However, the last 18 months in London have proven to be the most rewarding and thrilling of my life. London is a lively, diverse, historic, and ever-evolving metropolis with numerous…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":348451,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-348450","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\/348450","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=348450"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348450\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/348451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=348450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=348450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=348450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}