How to survive in London and enjoy it

Starting my internship with SBBC, I arrived in London for the first time in my life. And I have to admit, it truly was love at first sight. As I had no friends or relatives who would arrange things for me in this vibrant megalopolis of 7.5 million people, it was an exciting and learning experience. I love exploring new places and meeting new people, so this was the adventure just for me! Here are some hints and observations which may be of help if you are a “newcomer” just like me...

Accommodation

Trying to find a room in London from my home in Bratislava, Slovakia, turned out to be more demanding than I thought. After comming across all kinds of frauds trying to make you send them money without even giving you the chance to see the room, I decided to book a room in a hostel for the first few days of my London stay. Whether looking for a room or a job, http://www.gumtree.com/ is a good source recommended and used by most of the local people. As you are dealing with people mostly just via emails, make sure you (and your money) are on the safe side. From my own experience, I recommend you never to send any money via Western Union or Money Gram prior to viewing the room. Even if many advertisers require that and can find the most trustworthy sounding or bizarre excuses to make you do it. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is :).

People

Sprawled along the banks of the river Thames, London has been attracting people from all around the world for centuries and continues to do so today while still remaining very „British“. It seems it takes some effort to find „the real“ original English people in London. But every time you stop on the corner of the street hopelessly looking into a map trying to figure out your way, you can be sure that some of them stops by to ask if you needed any help. I experienced this many times in different situations, English people being always helpful, stopping by even if they seemed to be in quite a rush and doing their best to help you out.

At the same time, it's fascinating to explore the different parts of the city where the various cultures and nations mixing in London's melting pot left their colourful footprints. Wandering around, you can literally taste and smell the whole world – starting with well know China Town, passing numerous Thai and Indian restaurants, Arabic shops, and ending up tasting some unidentifiable African fruit on the outdoor market.

Making new friends if you really don't know anybody in this huge anonymous place doesn't have to be that impossible as it seems at the beginning. Just do what you like doing and be open. As I recently foud a great passion in bouldering and climbing and London offers some of the best indoor climbing facilities in the UK, instead of a tour around all local pubs I made my bouldering-tour and met some really cool friendly people there!

Culture

Whether it’s the art, history, fashion, music, food, nightlife or mixture of everything mentioned that attracts you, there's hardy a better place than London. London really lives up to its title of “global capital of culture”. It's there everywhere and for everyone, you are completely surrounded by it. There's so much history and culture here I could spend my whole life exploring it. And the good news for visitors, and students especially, is that many museums, concerts and galleries are free of charge. I keep saying myself I have plenty of time left during my 3-month internship with SBBC to explore everything I like but time in London is always running somewhat faster... One thing remains certain: whatever you do and wherever you stay, you’ll not be bored for a second.

Shopping

Dangerously easy and simply great:) I discovered that the best way for me to walk along the Oxford Street and other sought-after shopping locations is without my card, and with strictly limited cash in my pocket and soon before closing time. I found that some of the small shop keepers are still keen on price negotiation and bargaining, which adds even more fun to shopping;).

Traffic

If you arrive from continental Europe, after few days and several dangerous moments when you almost jump under an approaching car looking the opposite direction, you'll definitely get used to the left side driving. Actually, you have to, it can be a question of life and death ;). Fortunately enough, I found London drivers quite considerate and patient. Whichever mean of transport you use, Oystercard may be a good and economical idea. You can buy a weekly or monthly one or charge it and “pay-as-you-go”.

Few days after my arrival, while talking to a new friend in a subway, while changing the trains I absentmindedly left my purse with my bank card, ID card and almost all the cash in the carriage. What could have been a fatal error and the worst London nightmare turned out to be another nice experience with the British people. An elderly man hardly able to walk literally ran out of the carriage telling me that I've forgotten my purse in there. The train driver waited patiently and I was saved from experiencing London with no money and no identity :D...

London peculiarities

I was lucky enough to experience a very rare white element in London...snow! And not the usual London snow, which melts before it even touches the ground. The REAL snow, lots of which we have each winter in Slovakia and which London hasn't experienced for 18 years. While in other countries used to this white cover life goes in it's usual track with or without snow. Not so in London. Travel disruption, underground and most of the buses out of service, many shops and small businesses remaining closed for the whole day because of so many people unable to come to work. Thin white layer on the roads and the dynamic giant city has turned upside down for a few days. Out of 10 people living in my house, only 1 person managed to get to work. The rest of us at least had a chance to take part in building a giant snowman in the street, occasionally organising a massive snowball attack on local children. But this experience definitely brought thoughts of what London transportation will look like during the Olympics being held here in 2012.

Gita Hulmanova

SBBC Intern january - april 2009