What's it like to study in London as an international student?

Sponsored by the University of Roehampton  

With 18 of its universities featuring in the most recent QS World University Rankings, it’s hardly surprising that London is currently the world’s best student city, according to the QS Best Student Cities ranking. 

Among these is the University of Roehampton, which has a parkland campus in south-west London. If you’re looking to make the most of London life, the university is ideally based. It is nearby Putney and Clapham Junction, and in easy distance of Notting Hill, Wimbledon and Chiswick.  

Ohio student Curtis Shannon Jr, who attends university in North Carolina, joined the University of Roehampton’s summer school in 2022 to study the psychology of murder, a module exploring the relationship between psychology and criminology and the psychological motivation behind murder: one of the 16 summer short courses offered by the university.”

Nina Russel is from California and came to the University of Roehampton in 2021 for a semester abroad as part of her sociology degree. 

TopUniversities spoke to these two US students about what it’s really like to study abroad in London.  

Why did you decide to study at Roehampton? 

Curtis: I decided to study at the University of Roehampton because I had never been to London before and I never thought I would have the opportunity to experience it. 

Nina: I have always wanted to travel to London, so when the opportunity came up to study abroad at the University of Roehampton I jumped at the chance. When I was looking at Roehampton online, I was enamoured by the pictures of the stunning campus – and it felt even more magical in real life. 

How did you find student life at the University of Roehampton?  

Curtis: I found the student life at the University of Roehampton to be very community-based. It felt like the university cared about its students and provided everything a student could need. 

Nina: I adored student life at the University of Roehampton. My friends and I looked forward to taking part in karaoke nights at the pub, morning coffee meetings at the Hive, and ‘motives on the quad’ on the Southlands lawn. My favourite part of the community was meeting so many people from different backgrounds. It was fun to do activities with everyone on campus. 

What were your initial impressions of London? Have these thoughts changed at all? 

Curtis: My initial impression of London when I first moved was that the city was amazing. The transportation was efficient, and the culture was better than I imagined. Since studying in London, my thoughts on the city have not changed at all. If anything, I like it even more. 

Nina: My initial thoughts of London were of how beautiful it is. Among other things, the seasons made it beautiful. I was captivated by the architecture and autumn leaves and London’s history.  

While I still feel that way, during my time in London, I began to love the city for its pace and way of life. Contrasting the busy pace of where I am from, London’s mid-afternoon breaks and long commutes on the buses with the same people each morning captured my heart. I have never felt anything like it. 

How easy is it to meet new people while studying in London?  

Curtis: I feel like it was fairly easy to meet people in London especially if you already have a social personality. My experience has made me want to move back to London to continue my career. 

Nina: It was easy once a conversation had been started. In California, it’s normal for people to make eye contact as you are walking past one another or on the train. In London, I initially found it odd that people didn’t do that. At first it made me nervous because I didn’t know if it meant people didn’t want to be friends.  

However, I quickly discovered that as soon as a conversation had been started it was easy to make friends. In fact, the people I met in London were some of the sweetest, most hospitable and funny people I have ever met. 

What are some of your favorite things to do in London outside of lectures, particularly around Roehampton? 

Curtis: Some of my favourite things to do in London include sightseeing, boat riding, trying different foods, shopping in the mini districts, riding on the public transportation and taking the escalators up and down the underground. 

Nina: Oh gosh, I loved doing so many things! I think one of my favourite things to do was to go to all of the art museums in the area. The National Gallery had to be my very favourite. I loved going to all of the markets and seeing all of the stands. Notting Hill was lovely.  

Around Roehampton, my favourite thing to do was to go to Putney. My friends and I became obsessed with Putney High Street and would always go to get Kokoro, Foodilic or Spoons and take a walk along the water. 

How have you found the food in London? 

Curtis: The food in London is definitely something that you have to adjust to. With so many options there are many different cuisines to try and you’ll certainly find something that you enjoy. 

Nina: I deeply enjoyed eating authentic food from other cultures that aren’t always represented as much in California. For example, the Indian, Asian, Persian, Thai, and Greek food in London were all so delicious. Traditional English food was not my favourite but it was fun to try.  

The ‘Tortilla: California’s Authentic Burrito’ restaurant made my friends and I cry laughing. Unfortunately, we wouldn’t say that that was the most authentic Mexican food we’ve ever had! 

What would you say sets London apart from other student cities? 

Curtis: What sets London apart from other student cities is that it feels relatively safe and provides excellent transportation links which help students get around. 

Nina: I think London is different to other cities because of its combination of bustling city and quiet countryside. Especially with the location of the University of Roehampton, the versatility of being able to spend a day and night in the city and spend the next day roaming in Richmond Park with the deer was so nice.  

Is London a good place to start your career?  

Curtis: London would be a good place to start my career because of its rich culture and its history. My time in London has had a long-lasting impact on me. 

Nina: Although I didn’t get to work in London when I studied there, I am actually looking at moving back there to start my career next year. I just can’t stay away!