Travel, Food, and Entertainment around LSE

Hello! I am Donglin and I am currently a final year student at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. My major is International Affairs and International Relations. At LSE Summer School, I took the course IR115: Culture and Globalisation, taught by the Department of Anthropology. I lived off campus, in Vauxhall.

LSE Summer School is a brilliant experience for any international student. This is because you not only have the opportunity to learn something that interests you outside of your undergraduate course, but also the opportunity to explore a new city, and meet new people. I want to share my tips and experience to help other international students navigate London, and have the best time at LSE Summer School.

Travel 

I am originally from China, but lived in Nottinghamshire for an academic year before coming to LSE, so I only had to take the train down to London. Trains are a great way to get across the UK when you are at Summer School, especially from London as there are so many options. During the summer, I took the train to visit Oxford and Cambridge, which are not too far away from London, with my friends on weekends. It is convenient to use apps such as Trainline or Train Pal for discounts, or you can purchase tickets at the station on the day.

For travelling around London or to your accommodation, buses and the Tube are your go-to. You can purchase an Oyster card, which you can top up with travel money, or use a contactless card or Apple Pay – both are convenient ways to pay for public transport. For those who live south of the Thames River or near Vauxhall, bus 87, terminating at Wandsworth, will take you directly to Aldwych/Drury Lane near LSE’s campus. Along the journey, you can enjoy views of the Thames River and iconic sites like Big Ben, Westminster and the London Eye. If you choose to travel by Tube, the nearest stations to campus are Holborn and Temple. Grab a coffee on your way to campus, having experienced a proper London commute!

Food

Food is perhaps the biggest concern for many international students. This is not something to worry about in London, which is a highly globalised city. Here, as long as you are willing to explore, you can enjoy an incredibly diverse range of cuisine.

The campus has many canteens and cafes, so you can quickly enjoy a sandwich or coffee between class breaks. If you're looking for a budget friendly option, there are also plenty of shops for meal deals nearby, such as Co-op and Tesco. The restaurants I ate at most often were within a 5-10 min walk from LSE, which were Pho and an Italian fast-food restaurant called Guido’s – they were both delicious! There are a number of restaurants within walking distance of campus. If you have time, there are many more options less than a 20 minute walk away e.g. Flat Iron is a good choice.

Entertainment

If this is your first time in London and you only plan to attend one session, I think it's important to take advantage of the three weeks to explore London’s entertainment.

If you love art and history, then London is your place. The nearest art gallery is The Courtauld Gallery, located on the opposite side of Drury Lane. It features works by Monet and Van Gogh. The British Museum is within a 15-minute walk from LSE, where you can admire the world's precious treasures and collections representing Chinese, ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek culture, etc. Admission is free, but sometimes booking in advance can save you the hassle of waiting in line. Keep an eye on the ticketed exhibitions happening in the museums, as they are usually worth seeing. The V&A Museum is also very interesting, and the museum itself is beautiful. The National Gallery is just off Trafalgar Square - make sure you give yourself enough time to fully explore everything on offer. The Tate museums are all unique and very interesting to look around. Additionally, if you are interested in musicals, then London has everything you could want. You can enjoy extraordinary shows such as Hamilton, Les Misérables, and The Phantom of the Opera. If you attend Summer School in June, you may also catch West End Live, a free festival in Trafalgar Square in which numerous musical casts perform songs from their shows.

Plus, don’t miss out on iconic places like Brick Lane, known for its vintage market and graffiti. Also, I’d recommend visits to the Greenwich Observatory and Tower of London.

 

This interview was written by one of our 2024 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.