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Li Xuan

July 17th, 2022

Making your debut at Destination LSE

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Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Li Xuan

July 17th, 2022

Making your debut at Destination LSE

0 comments

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Whether you’re a new undergraduate, graduate or study-abroad student at LSE, you will be invited to many pre-arrival events. Around this time last year, I remember joining yet another Zoom call for the Destination LSE sessions Although I wasn’t expecting much out of it as I thought it was just another one of those events that just ran through an informative presentation, boy, was I wrong! This time you were given the steering wheel.

It was not only a chance to network with established alumni but I also to benefit from the opportunity to get to know my future peers. With participant numbers reaching the thousands, I was able to meet individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds. There’s also no need to feel intimidated at this stage. I know it can be quite easy to do so, as LSE is such a reputable institution – but all in all I found it was a very relaxed and informal environment. So do remember to come with your questions!

The event brought a plethora of knowledge that I wasn’t able to access online. Remember, these are very wise individuals who were just recently in your position. Really make the most out of this opportunity to obtain as much advice as you can for an anxious-free journey to LSE. In the beginning, I felt like an absolute stranger to LSE and thanks to the pandemic everything that I knew about the institution remained constrained to online sources. However, when I came out on the other side after having attended this event, I was overloaded (in a good way) with a wealth of first-hand knowledge and never felt more integrated into the community.

I was very lucky to have particularly been able to meet and forge lasting networks with several alumni on LinkedIn from my course and home department. Hence, I was already able to pick a draft selection of optional courses that I planned on taking. As the process will be first come first served, you will be given a head start – and come late September/October, you won’t have to worry about reading the lengthy course booklet or fighting for your spot. This wouldn’t have been possible without their advice and willingness to share course guides and materials that they were still able to access on Moodle.

As an international student, it was also advantageous to have communicated with as many people about London life beforehand so I didn’t end up in a whirlwind upon my arrival. Things like opening a bank account or getting a SIM contract may seem rather straightforward but when you’re in a different country, the process may require extra steps or regulations to comply with. Knowing these beforehand would be a big bonus. The long list of account types or contracts you could choose from would have required me to exert a lot of effort and time going through those. Although that was easily prevented through my new connections from the event. Furthermore, if you find someone that lives in the same city, you may even have a chance of meeting up in person before the academic year starts. Plus, you’ll have broken the ice and it always helps to have familiar faces on campus!

To say the Destination LSE event was helpful is an understatement, it truly was monumental.

About the author

Li Xuan

A Malaysian Borneo native studying MSc Environment and Development. Given my multicultural upbringing, I speak 6 languages which is partly why I chose the LSE and its very international student body! I'm also a R'n'B/soul/jazz fanatic.

Posted In: Applying: Masters

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