The Hidden Gems of London

Are you studying in London already? Or just dreaming about when you join us? Peer Advisor Emily has sourced some unusual and fun activities you can check out while you’re here.

London is full of impressive landmarks. The London Eye, the Shard, and the Houses of Parliament, to name a few. They will surely be at the top of your list of places to see whilst you’re here, as they should be. However, if you’re looking for something else, something a little less predictable, I’ve compiled a list of some of the quirkier places worth visiting. The hidden gems of London, if you will!

  1. Have tea in Java Whiskers Cat Café in Marylebone

What better way to soak up London’s incredible café culture than to enjoy a cuppa alongside some adorable feline friends? Cat fans, step this way. The café offers a relaxed place to catch up with friends, study or unwind amongst the company of free-roaming cats. The Java Whiskers Café is also the only cat café in Europe with a kitten lounge if you need further persuasion. Be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment, as they operate under a limited guest-per-hour system to preserve the relaxed atmosphere. As a massive cat fan, I visited Java Whiskers last year and absolutely loved it! They offer a delicious afternoon tea for a reasonable price if you want the ultimate cat café experience!

  1. Behind-the-scenes tour of London’s tube line

Ever wondered what things look like behind the scenes of London’s substantial underground tube system? Look no further! The London Transport Museum offers a range of exclusive behind-the-scenes tours for members of the public. Tour locations include Moorgate Station, Shepherds Bush, and Charing Cross. Concession prices are also available for students, so take advantage and see London from a different perspective.

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Preparing to Apply: Choosing your locations

We’ve asked Emily, one of our Peer Advisors, to reflect on her time researching and preparing an application for Study Abroad, and to share some advice.

Once you decide you want to study abroad, one of the first things you’ll do is research your preferred locations. This is an important and exciting task since it gives you the chance to research and plan your semester or year abroad as if it were really happening. This way, if your application is successful, most of your planning is already done for you. The application form will ask you to list your top 4 location preferences, with reasons why. This article will give some guidance on how to choose your locations, how to research, and how to write a strong application.

When it comes to choosing a location there are a few things to consider. First and foremost, you need to check where your department allows you to go as this differs depending on what you are studying at King’s.* Don’t be disheartened if your course does not offer your dream location. There will still be a range of places to choose from and you may end up going to a different and exciting location that you may have never considered otherwise.

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Meet Your Peer Advisors: Emilie

We’ve asked our 2022-23 Peer Advisors to say hello and share more about studying in London and abroad. Expect to hear more from them throughout the year!

Photo of Emilie in Berlin, in front of the Brandenburg Gate, blue skies above
Emilie in front of the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

Hello!

My name is Emilie, I’m one of the new Global Mobility Peer Advisers. I am a third-year student in International Relations at King’s. I’m half-French, half-Russian and grew up in Marseille in the south of France.

I spent my first year in London, my second year abroad in Hong Kong and last summer as an exchange student in Berlin. I absolutely LOVED it and would definitely recommend going abroad during your studies.  I had an amazing time, discovering new cities, meeting new friends and living life!

On exchange in Hong Kong

It is quite a challenging experience, taking us out of our comfort zone and throwing us into the unknown, but we end up learning so much more and come back with beautiful memories. There are a lot of ups and downs and many worries when it comes to moving to a whole new different country, and it is completely normal, so if you need any help or piece of advice, feel free to contact me!

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Meet Your Peer Advisors: Raza

We’ve asked our 2022-23 Peer Advisors to say hello and share more about studying in London and abroad. Expect to hear more from them throughout the year!

Selfie of Raza in a red top

Hello, my name’s Raza, and I am one of your Global Mobility Peer Advisors for the 2022/23 academic year! A little bit about me: I’m in my third year studying BA Social Sciences and for my study abroad experience I completed a semester at the National University of Singapore!

Prior to this experience I had never really travelled before, so I was excited but also a bit nervous. But I am so glad I went as I had the most fantastic time. From studying in a completely different academic environment to making new friends from all over the world, I have grown so much as a person and made the best memories along the way.

Photo of Raza on a rope bridge on a tropical beach, while on exchange in Singapore.
On exchange in Singapore.

Whether you’re an incoming or outgoing exchange student, as I have done the exchange process, I can understand how you’re feeling! Whilst it may feel scary, we are here to help in any way we can. I can’t wait for you to have the best time!

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Meet Your Peer Advisors: Conor

We’ve asked our 2022-23 Peer Advisors to say hello and share more about studying in London and abroad. Expect to hear more from them throughout the year!

Conor (tallest, in the middle) with his class, at The Hague

Hi! I’m Conor, one of your Global Mobility Peer Advisors here at King’s College London. I am currently a second year Law LLB student.

Over the course of summer 2022, I studied European Politics and Economics for two weeks at Utrecht University in the Netherlands as part of the King’s Global Summer Exchange Programme. I chose this course because the European Union is something that has always interested me, and this course allowed me to build upon the knowledge I had already acquired as part of my European Law module. The opportunity to study abroad was an absolutely fantastic one. Not only was I able to study a topic which fascinated me, I also met so many new people and made lifelong friends. Additionally, I had the chance to experience a different culture as well and have taken a love of cycling (of which they do quite a lot in Utrecht!) home with me.

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