If you missed the first instalment of this mini-series, make sure you catch up here.
In this second part, I will continue to introduce you to London with five new recommendations of activities you can do in the city as an international student.
See London in the middle of weekends and weekdays
London has a different vibe depending on the place you visit, the time you visit it, and most certainly, the season in which you visit it. I have found it incredibly fun to see different places on weekends vs weekdays. I find it intriguing to see the people around transform from this rushed, office-going vibe, to this rushed party-going vibe. It gives you a whole different view of the city when you spend some time just walking around during the weekdays and the weekends. I certainly suggest doing both!
The parks
Ah, the beauty is yet to be fully described! I never thought of myself as a park fanatic until I arrived in London. The number of beautiful layouts, sceneries, and environments are far beyond what I can even begin to describe. I am lucky to be living around 5 mins away from Saint James’ Park, and I couldn’t be happier. The beauty, the birds, and the layout are all wonderful, but nothing beats its calm waters. I highly recommend just walking around parks whenever you get some free time! Also, this is a great place to catch up with people one-to-one or in groups. And the best park? So many of them are absolutely free!
Experiment with the cuisine
I remember having a conversation with a friend last month, through which I realised how little I have done in exploring the plethora of cuisines that London has to offer. As a person who has had the good fortune of living in Central London, I can quite confidently say that the number of options one has is dizzying! It also helps that LSE has quite a diverse student set. I generally just ask my friends for restaurant (and dish) recommendations of their local cuisine in London and voila! You have yourself a wonderful combination!
Immerse in the multi-cultural environment
Needless to say, both LSE and London offer a wonderfully diverse environment. There is so much to learn about and learn from. Be it questions and conversations around upbringings, values, cultures, beliefs, or politics, there is so much to respectfully explore. A great way of doing this is to start from the class! It is always a great idea to understand and explore the thought processes that different people come in with, through group meetings (team projects), one-to-one catch-ups, group dynamics, etc. If you live in a student accommodation, there is nothing like it! What a great place to start!
Seasonal festivals and sites
Each changing season brings with it a host of festivals, markets and sights to see, in addition to the oh-so-wonderful flu! Psst… get your flu shot when you can! I remember falling ill twice during my first winter here (one month into coming here). Exploring the seasonal attractions and festivities is such a good way to immerse in the local atmosphere while also bringing about a spring in your step! Fun all around!
Well, I hope some of this resonated with your personal interests! See you in the final installation of this series.
