Blogs

International Student Blog

Category Archives: School of Arts and Social Sciences

A day in the life of a Media, Communications and Sociology undergrad

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Joon Ha Park
School of Arts and Social Sciences, Undergraduate , , , .

BSc (Hons) Media, Communications and Sociology student, Joon ha Park, gives us a glimpse into what a typical day at City, University of London is like for him.

 

10am

All of my lectures and tutorials started after 9am this year, this meant that waking up early wasn’t required much and I could sleep in.

Being a Media, Communications and Sociology student (or generally a social sciences student, for that matter) means that you have to be clued up with what is happening around the world. So, the first thing I usually do after waking up is to check my phone for the latest news. I use Twitter, and follow a number of news accounts, political commentators and journalists so that my feed informs me of what is happening in different corners of the world.

I shower and prepare brunch, either an omelette with some toast and tea or a nice little Korean breakfast with a bowl of rice and some soup. I don’t usually have lunch, I like to have a big breakfast or brunch to kick-start the day.

After I finish my meal, I go back to my room and check my email to see if there is any reminders or changes that I should be aware of before classes. Today’s lectures are “News and Society” and “Sociology of Race and Racism”.

I leave my flat at around 11.30am, making my way to the Rhind Building, where most of the media lectures and tutorials are held.

11.50 am

I arrive at the lecture hall and there’s always a few early birds with earphones in, or just reading a novel. I sit at my usual row, and wait for my friends and the lecturer to begin her class. As the clock ticks, more and more students and my friends walk in to the lecture hall (most with a Sainsbury’s meal deal in their hands or a beverage of some sort). After a while, the lecturer comes greeting everyone as she walks in with a smile, and turns on the projector and says,

“Okay guys, good afternoon. Let’s start.”

She starts a lecture on current issues in the news such as ‘Fake News’ and raises questions for us to answer during the tutorials. I’ve acquired a habit of note-taking since secondary school, so I open my Mac to take notes of the lecture, highlighting the interesting bits she says. I also link in some of the news that I read in the morning to some of the theories that she points out.

12.50 pm

Lecture ends and we make our way to the next lecture “Sociology of Race and Racism” which is located all the way in the Drysdale Building.

My lectures and tutorials take place at various different locations on campus. In total, four different buildings. The Drysdale building, the Rhind Building, the University Building and the College Building. So, there is a lot of walking and talking with friends in between going to different lectures and tutorials.

Sociology lectures are great, they really get you thinking about the world around you and this one was no different – the topic under discussion was the growing number of refugees in our world today. It’s always satisfying to sit through a lecture where the academic exudes so much passionate about the topic.

Tutorials are the best time to digest the information from the lectures. Usually my media tutorials are filled with debates and discussions on current world events, where people from all different backgrounds voice their opinions on an issue and the tutorial leader asks us to link it back to the theories. It’s always different. One day you’re debating if journalism is dying and the other you’re discussing the role of gatekeeping in world politics. That’s why it’s so important for a media student to know what is going on in the world.

My sociology tutorials are filled with debates on the readings and the theories rather than world events. Since it’s more of a theory-based course, our discussions in class usually turn into questions that we need clarification from.

I love my course, it’s a mix of the things that I love: media, debates and social relations.

5pm

I’m done for the day and I usually head back to my flat and make some warm dinner and maybe watch a TV show episode while I eat. After eating, I review some of the material that we went over today and do some reading.

More or less, that’s the day in the life of a Media, Communications and Sociology undergrad here at City.

Till next time! – JH

Celebrating City’s international community

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Michelle Sarkisyan
School of Arts and Social Sciences, Undergraduate , .

International students are deeply embedded in City, University of London’s culture and lifestyle. The University’s work and that of the Students Union never stops to amaze me of the number of events and types of activities they offer to the student body. 

As a student ambassador, representative and a blogger, I am constantly a witness of how much focus and attention is spent on a daily basis to the student. From surveys that will help improve student and tutor relationships to mentor schemes created to ease each student into coping with assignment anxiety or finding and preparing for an internship.

We are also regularly provided with karaoke, movie and pub quiz nights at City Bar, located in Tait Building ground floor.

This week, from Monday 18th February to Friday 22nd February, different departments cooperated to create the first-ever International City Week. It aimed to celebrate the global community and bring staff and students together with a number of different activities across campus.

More than 20 events were scattered throughout the whole week to take yet another step back and to really appreciate everything that is good about how diversified City, University of London is. 

The launch of International City Week 2019 was simply incredible. It was colourful, loud and tasty. You could munch on tasty finger food from around the world and socialise with peers.

To make it easier for you, you could take part in the networking bingo and later win a redeemable voucher.

If you are not particularly interested in finding somebody who knows how to make dumplings or practices martial arts, you could sit on the couch with a slice of pizza in hand and listen to the amazing City’s own Balkan Ensemble.

 

Or even better, get up and dance in the melody of Serbian and Romanian songs and learn the art of the “horo” dance. 

It was amazing to see how many people wanted to locate themselves on a giant map, and most importantly to talk with each other, follow our journeys and realise that we are not as different as we may think.

We could also solve riddles and win chocolate when correctly match the fair-trade products to their place of origin. To get creative with 1-minute portraits and bring back the nostalgia answering City Psychology Society’s question: “What makes you feel at home”, was a true gem.

Talking about your national holidays, dancing and seeing the smile on people’s faces was nothing short to a magnificent way to start my week. 

 

What helped me gain confidence in my employability skills in City, University of London

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Michelle Sarkisyan
School of Arts and Social Sciences, Undergraduate , , .

Thinking about the future is daunting, especially when you are in university. This is the time when you have to choose a career path, an interest of yours, and inevitably consider your professional growth and start applying for internships or employment.

This process is harder, especially when you are a fresher. It feels as if you are thrown into the adults’ pool and somehow you have to learn how to swim and stay above the water by yourself. You are overwhelmed by the environment – a new place of study, unfamiliar people, a new home and responsibilities like groceries and laundry are preying on your mind. 

However, when it comes to the professional aspect of your development as a character and person in busy London, you are not alone. One of my favourite departments in City, University of London is the Careers, Student Development, and Outreach Centre. 

The team of people working there are professionals whose aim is to support and provide us with the exact tools we need in order to enhance our employability. They offer a range of services – mock interviews, opportunities for part-time/temporary work or internships, career-related events, mentoring, and even recruitment. In my personal experience, I have mostly benefited from the Careers Consultant appointments I’ve had and Unitemps. 

Careers Guidance appointment’s involve a one-to-one meeting with a professional, who can help you with your career ideas and plans, as well as creating a CV and cover letter for a specified job description. They are confidential and not intimidating. We discussed my strengths and how can I improve my weak points, as well as the issues relating to the transition from study to work. And most importantly, we worked on my CV and cover letter. As I have never written one, I initially trusted templates from Word but found this is not always a good enough approach soon enough. During the overview appointment, you can receive pieces of advice concerning the layout, what is important to include, how to present your best traits and even the way to correctly structure a sentence. This enables you to not only list jobs and skills you have acquired, but also to feel confident when handing in your CV. 

When you have prepared, the next step will most probably be Unitemps. You can apply for a variety of job offers at all levels: temporary, permanent or paid internships roles, both at the University and in and around central London. You do not need to sign a contract with Unitemps, which gives you a flexible schedule and the freedom of choice. In that way, you can test your CV and cover letter writing techniques, start working as a Student Ambassador or as a temporary Charity CD Library Assistant like me, and through baby steps conquer internships and find jobs in your field of study.

With the Careers Department support, you have the basis to explore, try and most importantly practice in a safe environment. You can explore what gives you the most pleasure at work, try to apply to as many jobs as possible and practice your interview skills, adaptability and work ethics. Furthermore, you can work on your time-management skills and this is one of the most important strengths you must develop throughout the BA years. 

Freshers’ Weeks: the most important 20 days!

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Michelle Sarkisyan
School of Arts and Social Sciences, Undergraduate , .

The period from 14th September to 4th October, also known as “Freshers”, can be anything but peaceful. These days are for you to be re-programmed! You are not at home anymore, the weather is different, the food does not taste the same, you are surrounded by unfamiliar faces, and there are so many new places to be explored. These are the changes classified as “the tip of the iceberg”. This is your one step closer to an independent way of living.

In my opinion, the first few weeks at university are the most important. They give you a chance to look around, familiarise yourself with the new territory and make new friends. The first few weeks are exciting, but also overwhelming.

My piece of advice is: take your time! Breath in and breath out. Do not follow the crowd or do what is somehow expected of you from fellow students. These 20 days are your chance to not only make a physical change, but a mental one. Some of my tips for settling in are:

  1. If you like decorating, spend your time moving into your new student accommodation. The room may be smaller than you are used to, but with the right touch, you can create your own personal space. Candles, soft pillows and plants usually do the trick for me. City’s campus is within close proximity to its student halls, which are also located near a variety of stores, making accessorising your space more convenient. Create your own “before and after” series, and bring friends over for spa days and spooky nights.
  2. If you prefer informative events and various activities, City has prepared a programme of events during Freshers where you can socialise and adjust to the student lifestyle as quickly and smoothly as possible. Examples of activities include mug painting, movie marathons, origami workshops, pub quizzes and karaoke! There are also events designed for international students, to help settle you in to life in the UK. The most important thing is that these events are a great opportunity for you to relax and meet other students with similar interests.
  3. If you like neither of the given options above, you could be from the group that wants to let their hair down and party. CityBar, the University’s student bar, is a fantastic space to meet with other students and socialise.

You may be feeling worried and slightly disorientated, while also feeling way too excited to know what to do first! From personal experience, I would advise you to do what interests you the most. City, University of London has given a platform to every group, society and event possible. Find the best place for you and enjoy the truly unique adventure that university is!

 

What have I learned through my international student journey

Posted on August 28, 2018 by Michelle Sarkisyan
School of Arts and Social Sciences, Undergraduate .

Although at times I have felt overwhelmed as an international student living away from home, I have never truly felt homesick. However, when I returned back to visit my native country, Bulgaria, for the summer, I realised how much I missed my mother’s hugs, my father’s strong voice, my sweet and playful dog and Bulgaria’s nature as a whole.

While re-discovering the magic pearls of home, I asked myself: how was I able to cope with the knowledge of what I had left behind in my home country, in order to study abroad? Thinking back on the memories of my first year at City, here is what I realised:

  1. I settled into my accommodation with the goal of making it a home, not just a place where I could sleep and eat. The best decision I made was to purchase fairy lights, which I could hang up to hold some of my most memorable photographs of friends and family.
  2. At City, I met so many people I can now call family. Without a doubt, you will be able to find friends that fit just like the right piece of a puzzle in your life. Once I found the people that made me feel like a goofball bursting from happiness, we started preparing meals for each other, playing pool in the accommodation common room or simply going on night walks near St Paul’s Cathedral or to Tesco for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream!
  3. London is so big and there are so many places for you to visit! I have been living in London for almost a year now, and I still feel like I have not seen everything. Exploring is one of my favourite activities and going from one tube station to another, changing bus stops and riding a bike is an adventure in itself. A piece of advice is to download the mobile app Citymapper. It is helpful, easy to use and something I cannot live without!
  4. However, my first year was not a summer camp and I had obligations weighing on my mind. I was studying in a completely different language and had to get used to all the lectures and seminars and note-taking. I was given many books and articles to read and assignments to submit on Moodle. Fortunately, I have enrolled on a course that really fits with my character and all my university responsibilities were enjoyable to complete.

Simply said, while living away from home I learned how to express myself, to enjoy life and be productive in a positive way. I learned plenty from all the people I met and I proved to myself that the best things in life come from the unknown and from being outside of my comfort zone. London welcomed me with acceptance, helpfulness and spectacular scenery. City, University of London showed me how people of different backgrounds and characters can become family and accomplish everything through teamwork.

Being a student away from home gave me a new appreciation of the things I have taken for granted, made my childhood friendships stronger and gave me the self-esteem to accomplish whatever I put my mind to!

My top 5 ways to explore London culture

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Monica Foss
Explore London, MSc Food Policy, Postgraduate, School of Arts and Social Sciences , .

London’s attractions are the best in the world. That is not my opinion, that is fact! So, while you’re studying in the UK, this is how you can immerse yourself in the diversity of cultures that reside in this global metropolis.

 

1. Museums (all of them)

One of the best parts of living in London is that learning and artistic appreciation can be done for little to no cost. Nearly all the museums in London are free, meaning that this broke student has been to quite a few! The Museum of London is a journey through the 2,000 years of human history along the Thames, and I learn something new each time I visit. The Victoria and Albert Museum showcases artistic history from across the world in a beautiful Victorian building, as does the British Museum. Check out the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles, then move on to the mummies, the Assyrian lion hunt sculptures and the clock room (yes, clocks, it’s cooler than it sounds!). For a slightly more niche and eerie visit, try out The Old Operating Theatre. It’s a glimpse into the beginnings of surgery, where the scalpels look the same but anaesthesia was yet to be invented.

 

2. Food markets

London is a market town, and that means if you love food you will find no shortage of ways to discover the city through your stomach. Borough Market is the oldest, most well-known and one of my favourite places on earth, but there’s plenty more to discover. Broadway Market in Hackney is home to a variety of local food artisans as well as a vegan-only offshoot. KERB markets are all over the city but my favourite is at Camden, offering the tastiest selection of foods next to the canal. Pop Brixton and the Brixton Village Market display hipster excellence at the former and a staple tradition at the latter. Or find yourself a pop-up shop, like those in Old Street station, for an example of the ever-changing innovation of the city. Also – Chinatown. No explanation necessary.

 

3. Really old places

Seeing as people have been living in London for over 2,000 years (which you will have learned from your visit to the Museum of London), there’s a lot of history built in the fabric of the city. You’d be remiss to not see Buckingham Palace and wave hello to the Queen, admiring the parks that surround her home. Same goes with the plethora of Victorian gardens around the city, which began as private retreats for the wealthy but now provide peace and serenity for all of us. Holland Park in West London is one of my favourites, as are the more well-known parks like Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath. The Tower of London is another cultural “must-do”. A Norman castle with genuine Beefeaters to guide you around and terrifying ravens to remind you of the true nature of the place. What’s not to love?

 

4. Pubs

If you’re going to have a true cultural experience you must visit at least one, if not ten, pubs. They’re on every corner in every neighborhood and all have a welcoming vibe for those feeling thirsty or peckish. Get a pint on draught, order a classic pub meal (or a gastropub’s reinvention of the pub meal), and settle into the comforts of pub life. Chances are you’ll meet someone new, be it a local or fellow tourist. Or come especially for a game of rugby or football, the energy is unforgettable.

 

5. Street art

The skies may be grey but the energy on London’s streets is always in full force. In the city centre you will find a multitude of performers vying for tourists’ smiles, laughs and dimes. The acts vary from comedy to magic and acrobatics to singing. Slow down and appreciate a busker, as they are called, but make sure you tip them for your welcomed entertainment. Finally, keep your eyes peeled for street art. East London is the hub, but a beautiful mosaic or mural can be found wherever you are as long as you’re looking!

 

There’s no wrong way to enjoy London and as long as you get out of your flat or hotel, you’re bound to stumble on something interesting and learn a thing or two. Find your top five and let me know what they are!

Top 5 cultural sites to visit in London

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Michelle Sarkisyan
Explore London, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Undergraduate .

Studying at a university located in central London has given me the chance to explore some of the best cultural locations the city has to offer. In one of my previous blogs, I recommended sites such as the reconstructed Shakespeare’s Globe, the innovative Tate Modern and the beloved Sherlock Holmes Museum. Today I would like to share with you five more places that are worth exploring!

 1. St Paul’s Cathedral: not only is this cathedral breathtaking to look at, but it has also played an important role throughout history. It miraculously survived World War II, played host to Winston Churchill’s funeral in 1965, was where Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles married in 1981 and was the London site for the worldwide occupy protest in 2011. It is a 20 minute walk from City, University of London and is open for sightseeing Mondays to Fridays, from 08:30 to 16:00.

2. The Royal Observatory: located on a hill in Greenwich Park, overlooking the River Thames, this is one of my favourite places to visit. My favourite feature of the observatory is without a doubt the Planetarium show. Ticket prices are reasonable and it is a way to fulfil your childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut!

3. Dennis Severs’ House: a 25 minute walking distance from City, this original Georgian house has been rescued from decay to serve as a living demonstration of 18th century life. This is not just a museum but is something that you can experience like performance art. The rooms move in periods as you walk through, and provide a snapshot of life in the past – the food is real, the fire is burning, the bed is still warm. The stimulation to your senses seems so realistic, you may even forget that the house occupants are purely fictional.

4. The Ten Bells: this is another site which provides a look into the past. This pub in Spitalfields is infamous for being a favourite place of Jack the Ripper. The dim lighting and faded decor create a mysterious ambience, and the spicy chicken wings are to die for!

5. Ye Olde Mitre Tavern: this pub dates back to 1546 and it is rumoured to be a place where Queen Elizabeth I once danced. You can always expect friendly staff behind the bar and it is the perfect place to sit, drink and eat with friends. It is charming, cozy and just a 15 minute walk away from City, University of London.

My guide to keeping your sanity at the end of term

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Monica Foss
MSc Food Policy, Postgraduate, School of Arts and Social Sciences.

End of term has come and gone and I’m still in a state of mild frenzy! I was blessed to have no exams, but I did have two long final papers and a dissertation proposal to put together in a relatively short amount of time. While I’m still working on the dissertation itself, I can look back and offer some insights on the end-of-term madness that all students will ultimately find ourselves in. These are my top tips on survival:

  1. Be organised. That elusive concept we all wish we were better at! I’m slowly learning it’s a skill just like any other that needs constant practice to improve. Setting yourself goals for when you want a certain number of words written by, or a minimum of papers studied, is the first step. Don’t be afraid to be both realistic and totally unrealistic with yourself. My planner is full of dates where I over-scheduled myself, or dates where I thought better than to set five tasks along with a full day of work or school. In the end, your ambitions tend to even out and what you missed one day can be made up on a day where you gave yourself leeway. The important thing is that you wrote it down, planned it out and dedicated yourself to finishing it…at some point!
  2. Start early. This goes along with organisation, but if you know you can finish a paper in a week, start three weeks early. Even if you only write one paragraph or an outline and then leave it to gather dust, you’ll still have something to come back to, to re-focus your thoughts and re-define your trajectory based on the nonsense you coughed up two weeks ago. I find the earlier I start, the more my thoughts develop into the paper I truly want to turn in, instead of the one I’m forced to submit because I’ve run up against a deadline.
  3. Reach out. While most of us think we are good enough on our own, the truth is we all have capacity for improvement. The tricky thing is that it’s tough to see how to improve by yourself. That’s where City comes in! They have an awesome array of resources to use. So far I have utilised:
    1. The librarian assigned to my course, who is my saving grace when it comes to odd referencing questions!
    2. The City Students’ Union, who hosted a Study Well campaign which featured a petting zoo on campus…how can you feel stressed while petting a mini horse?
    3. Workshops from the Learning Enhancement and Development (LEaD) department, which refreshed me on the nuances of academic writing – basically, write nothing like I’m doing now and you’ll sound incredibly smart.
  4. Relax. The brain is a tricky beast. It needs rest, even if we think it doesn’t. I’m sure you’ve realised this at some point, say when you’ve been writing or studying non-stop and then come back to your work after a nap or a night of sleep to wonder what lunatic was writing on your computer. Brains don’t function properly when they do one thing for too long. It’s finally dawned on me that there’s no use in forcing it; I might as well schedule in those breaks – a walk by the canal, a meal with friends, or Netflix for 12 hours. Your brain, your sanity and your grades will thank you.

Most of all, remember you had the ambition, confidence, and smarts to get into this school, you’ll have improved on all three and secured yourself a new degree by the time the frenzy ceases.

How to survive exams

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Michelle Sarkisyan
School of Arts and Social Sciences, Undergraduate , , , .

In my blogs so far I have shared with you my journey to City, University of London, insights into my undergraduate experience and my top 8 places in London for an international student on a budget. Now it is time to talk about the only unpleasant thing when it comes to university life – assignments and exams! And more particularly, how to survive them.

When you are a new international student, you are overwhelmed by everything – your new home, the numerous opportunities to expand your network, and by London itself. Not only that, you still might not exactly know how the university works. At least I felt that way! I want to share with you how I made my way through the end-of-year exam period.

1. Moodle is your best friend!
Moodle is mobile-friendly, as it can be accessed using a laptop, smartphone or tablet. Moodle keeps storage of all your modules, grades and even the PowerPoint presentations of all your lectures, week by week. It provides you with a reading list where necessary, so you have the chance to access as many sources of information as possible. I find it absolutely helpful because I can always look back at my presentations and find whatever I missed during the lecture. Knowing this, during your lectures you can sit down and listen to your lecturer, taking notes of her/his side notes of the presentation (which are really important) and not just mechanically re-write what is on the whiteboard in front of you.

2. Lecture capture
This system is again managed primarily through Moodle and it allows you to make automatic recordings of some of your lectures or presentations. Lecture capture gives you the chance to not only go through presentations slides but also to listen to your tutor at your own pace. In my opinion, this is the best alternative for face-to-face teaching!

3. City Library
The library at City, University of London has everything you might need. The database searches are from A to Z, and I have found that they rarely do not have what I am looking for. You can also study on site; the library has communal areas where you can talk, or silent floors where it really is embarrassing to sneeze (guilty!). You can always book a computer, a room for group studies or take a book home with you for a loan up to seven days. The best thing is that the library is open 24/7 during examination periods, and throughout the day you can get yourself a much-needed dose of coffee from the Costa Coffee downstairs.

4. City University takes care of their students.
If you face anxiety at any point during your exams, you can always turn to Academic Learning Support. They can provide you with group workshops and one-to-one academic skills tutorials. The university also creates stress relief events. This year we had therapy dogs for stress relief come to the university for a day, which was the best puppy paradise I could ever imagine. A few days afterwards, another event was held at Northampton Square…a farm! We had sheep, bunnies, hamsters and ponies. We could feed, pet, hug and play with them.

5. Do not think of studying as a chore, but as an improvement in yourself and an investment in your future.
Make sure you enjoy this year, make friends and explore the amazing university and city you are in! Every student in your course is going through exactly what you are. Find help and support in each other, and make sure you are motivated to learn not just because of grades, but because you are curious for more knowledge. After all, this might probably be concerning your job in the future!

Top 8 places in London for an international student on a budget

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Michelle Sarkisyan
School of Arts and Social Sciences, Undergraduate , , , , .

Whenever I ask somebody for a piece of advice about what student-friendly things I can do in London, it is always kind of all museums and galleries. I love culture and art as much as the next person, honestly, I do. But if I had to go to free museums and portrait galleries every time I needed to distract myself from my assignments, I would have poked my eyes out. So I have made this list of five “on a budget” places you can go whenever you find some free time from your studies. 

Number one: The London Eye… is, in my opinion, incredibly overrated. I know it’s a favourite with tourists and it’s just one of the most iconic images of London. But, to be honest, it can be quite expensive for a ticket and around the 10-minute mark it can get quite boring, as you are looking at the same view all the way around. Instead, if you would like to do something different, you can go to The Shard. Although there is an admission fee, there is no time limit on your stay, you can purchase drinks and snacks and, most importantly, enjoy the breathtaking view from Level 72 whilst walking amongst the clouds!

The Shard (image: Michelle Sarkisyan)

Number two: London is home to many fictional and non-fictional characters. If you are a nerd like me, you will enjoy the following places:

    1. Probably one of the most well-known fictional characters is Harry Potter. I would really like to suggest the ‘Harry Potter: Warner Brothers Studio Tour’, however, the ticket price is not necessarily budget-friendly! A “muggle” substitute is the Harry Potter Shop at King’s Cross Station, where you can see Platform 9 3/4 and pretend to push a trolley through the wall.
    2. Shakespeare’s Globe has been reconstructed – this is not the original. However, it is beautiful! You don’t have to go inside, just take a picture and then visit the pub next door, or walk down South Bank to the Tate Modern and swing on the fun group swings.
    3. Sherlock Holmes. You can visit his house-museum at 221B Baker Street, take pictures in his Victorian apartment and enjoy a waxwork exhibition of his most popular adventures. The gift shop is free to go in and explore all the unusual objects and souvenirs that are available for purchase.

“COME IN WE’RE very OPEN minded” (image: Michelle Sarkisyan)

Number three: The markets! There are so many in London! My favourite is Camden Market. It is located relatively close to City and it is the collective name of several large markets selling crafts, clothes,  jewellery and food from all over the world, as well as a huge variety of weird and wonderful things. The Borough of Camden itself is a lively base in London for the alternative crowd. The non-conformists who you will meet there are as interesting as the market itself.

Number four: Walk, walk, walk! London has so many hidden gems that you cannot discover just from riding on a double-decker bus. One of my favourite areas is the South Bank, right beside the River Thames. It’s a tree-lined riverside walkway with many restaurants, pubs and iconic landmarks like Big Ben and St. Paul’s Cathedral. You can enjoy street performers, frequent fairs at the Southbank Centre, and incredible photo opportunities.

Number five: Travel! London can give you so much more than the usual tourist destinations. Hop on a bus or the tube and explore! I will share with you two of my favourite places I have discovered from my journeys.

    1. God’s Own Junkyard. Take the N56 bus from the bus stop outside City Bar, and for an hours’ time and £1.50 less in your bank account, you will be in one of the most incredible places I have ever been. It is bright, vintage and free. It has good music, food, neon signs and such a lovely staff.
    2. Junkyard Golf Club. This time, take the N205 bus and 30 minutes later you will arrive at these crazy 9-hole golf courses. The ambience is more than incredible – UV lights, loud music, food, and weird cocktails!

Contact us

+44 (0)20 7040 5060

Make an enquiry

Find us

City, University of London

Northampton Square

London EC1V 0HB

United Kingdom

Map showing location Campus & maps
Back to top

Terms & conditions Jobs Legal Charity information Press Accessibility Glossary Cookies Support City Store

Guardian University Guide 2017

City, University of London is an independent member institution of the University of London. Established by Royal Charter in 1836, the University of London consists of 18 independent member institutions with outstanding global reputations and several prestigious central academic bodies and activities.

© 2016 City, University of London

Skip to toolbar