It has certainly been an eventful academic year – one which has flown by far too quickly! Yet in the hustle and bustle of student life, perhaps now is as good a time as ever to take a step back and reflect on the year that has very much characterised the stepping-stone into adulthood.

As with anything, the transition from school to university is a uniquely personal experience. But what seems to ring true for us all is the fact that there will always be some things that feel smooth-sailing, and other things that feel like an entirely new world. Oftentimes we get hung up on the unfamiliar; navigating new lives and new homes and new people without any real indication of where to go. Yet at the very crux of the student experience lies the awkwardly-endearing friendships we form along the way; friendships which make that transition just that much easier.

Studying Medical Physics at UCL has been an incredibly fun rollercoaster of emotions. From ice cream breaks during lab sessions (in the middle of winter…) to the existential crises during exam season, my first year of this course has certainly been one to remember. Yet what has become abundantly clear over the past twelve months is that I feel content knowing that choosing to study Medical Physics here at UCL was indeed the right choice.

That’s not to say that it has been a walk in the park. The course content and academia is inevitably challenging – but it is by no means unattainable. Studying a subject as multi-faceted as this truly is remarkable; combining the wonders of Physics with Medicine, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering, this degree offers the flexibility for each student to select modules across these disciplines, allowing us to tailor our education in the way that fits us best.

Perhaps my favourite part of this year has been embarking on a research journey as part of the MPBE Summer Studentship programme. To have had the opportunity to learn about and contribute towards paediatric brain tumour radiotherapy research at such an early stage of my academic career reflects the abundance of opportunities available to us as students here within the MPBE Department – and may just be why so many students end up going on to do their PhD within the department that has always been so warm and welcoming.

This past year has been one of growth and laughter. And it has also been a year of setbacks and unfamiliarity. The good and the bad accompany one another; they both exist, simultaneously. Yet if quantum entanglement has taught us one thing, it is that it takes knowing one to know the other. We must know the bad before we can know the good, and vice versa. And I am beyond excited to continue this journey here at UCL – knowing that despite the challenges that are yet to come, there is always so much to celebrate throughout it all.

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This blog was written by Saarah, Medical Physics

From freshly made sourdough pizza to soufflé pancakes to sushi and Korean Food, UCL’s got it all. UCL is located in the heart of London, so there are tons of restaurants nearby, and there is definitely something for everyone.

Here’s the ultimate guide to my favourite restaurants around UCL.

Hare and Tortoise

Hare and Tortoise is a Japanese restaurant where it has a plethora amount of Japanese cuisine to choose from. They also have other dishes such as Pad Thai and Lo Mein. The price is pretty reasonable, and it’s really close to campus!

What to order:

My go-to order is their Yaki Udon and a side of California sushi rolls.

Location: Brunswick Square, London

Seoul Bakery

This cozy small restaurant has everything from tteokbokki to kimchi fried rice, however my favourite is their gimbap. A lot of Korean restaurants here in London don’t have gimbap on their menu sadly, so I was surprised and elated that they have gimbap here.

What to order:

Beef bulgogi gimbap or just gimbap (this is not a recommendation, it is mandatory)

Location: 14 Great Russell St, London

Franco Manca

A fresh sourdough pizza restaurant, and the best thing about Franco Manca is that majority of their pizzas are under 10 pounds! Their menu has a large variety of options and they have lots of vegetarian and vegan choices as well! It is located next to Russell Square Station which can be very convenient for commuters:)

What to order:

Any of their pizzas<3

Location: 4 Bernard Street, Russell Square/ 98 Tottenham Court Road

Fuwa Fuwa

I rarely repeat restaurants as there are so many food places around London to explore, but I have been to Fuwa Fuwa 5 times (yes, it is THAT good). Their pancakes are extra fluffy and light, and their menu has a wide variety of different pancakes to choose from. The minimalistic interior adds a unique touch to the dessert place and the size of the shop is huge. Besides, you order by scanning the QR code which is super convenient and Covid friendly!

What to order:

Any of their pancakes! They are all amazing:)

Location: Brunswick Square, London

Busaba

Craving for some Thai Food? Busaba is the best place for you. The best thing about Busaba is that it offers a 25% student discount (the perks of being a student lol). The restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere, and serves as a great restaurant to catch-up with friends.

What to order:

My personal favourite is their Khao red pork belly rice with a plate of fish cakes alongside it.

Location: 22 Store Street, Bloomsbury

Not sure where to satisfy your cravings? Or have you just finished a long day of lectures and just want some good food to finish off the day? Stop by any of these restaurants and I promise that you won’t be disappointed^_^

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This blog was written by Rachel, Biomedical Engineering

What I love about food markets is that it displays food cultures from all around the world. Food markets in London especially are so colourful, the atmosphere is vibrant and it has a variety of selection of foods to try from. It doesn’t matter if you are going for a big meal or just a little snack, there is something for everyone. Here are the best food markets in London, read on to see what all of these markets have to offer!

Old Spitalfields Market

Located near Liverpool Street Station, Old Spitalfields market is not just a food market, but it also sells other things like art, tote bags, candles, music boxes and loads more!

With the new Elizabeth line, it is only 2 stops from Tottenham Court Road, one of the closest stations from UCL. Old Spitalfields Market is only a 6 minute walk from Liverpool Street Station. Old Spitalfields market is one of my favourite markets as it is new, modern and very clean! I got a meat-filled Jian Bing from Pleasant Lady and a dessert from Humble Crumble. It was incredible and certainly worth a visit again.

Bloomsbury Farmers market

Located just opposite UCL campus, it is a popular spot for UCL students to grab a quick lunch in between lectures. However, it only opens every Thursday from 9am-2pm, which is a bummer! I visited this market numerous times, trying different foods from different food stalls. My favourite food stall would have to be Cakehole, where it sells all things cakes! I love a little sweet treat after a morning of labs and workshops, so Cakehole is the best place to go😊 They are handmade cakes full of fresh ingredients, and I would say their cacao brownies are the best!

Borough market

Ah Borough Market, the classic of all classics. Borough Market was the first food market I visited when I first came to London. Fun fact, one of the scenes in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was filmed at Borough Market! There is a vast food selection at the market, from smoothies to doughnuts to pasta. My personal favourite is the Hainanese chicken rice at Mei Mei. The flavours in the rice and the chicken were perfect and full of depth, transporting me to Singapore.

Camden market

Around half an hour walk from UCL, Camden Market offers a wide variety of food selections. My favourite roasted meat food stall, Three Uncles is located in the heart of Camden Market. It has the authenticity of Hong Kong taste, just the smell when you walk past the food stall will make your mouth water and the taste is irresistible. Camden Market don’t just offer food, there are lots of vintage shops as well, where you can easily spend an afternoon there. If you want to take a little stroll along the river, Regents Canal is just right around the corner from Camden Market. It is like a little escape from the city centre, and you can go to Primrose Hill to watch the sunset! Primrose Hill has one of the most spectacular views of the London Skyline. Two birds in one stone whoohoo I already created an itinerary for a weekend😊

Mercato Mayfair

Mercato Mayfair is one of the most prettiest markets I have ever been to. Well to be fair, it is more of a food hall than a food market. Nonetheless, they have an amazing variety of mouth-watering foods. Prior to being a food hall, it was a church (St. Mark’s Church, Mayfair). After 2 years of renovation, it transformed into a stunning food hall. Mercato Mayfair is made up of several floors where you can find dishes from all over the world. I had a handmade Rigatoni Bolognese pasta from Pasta Lovers, one of the food stalls on the ground floor. It was amazing and I highly recommend it😊 While enjoying a delicious meal, you can admire the beautiful architecture surrounding. The original stained glass windows are preserved, which makes it such an incredible place.

And the best thing about food markets? You don’t have to pay service charge😉. Whether you are looking for a quick treat/snack, homemade ingredients, or a huge meal, London food markets are the way to go!

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This blog was written by Rachel, Biomedical Engineering

London has incredible things to offer, but it becomes tricky to enjoy it when you are a student. Indeed, London prices can be discouraging, but it shouldn’t stop you from discovering what the city has to offer. Allow me then to give you an introduction to the best activities in London when you’re on a budget.

• Sky Garden

London is big, but sometimes we forget just how far the city expands. What better way to get a panoramic view of London than from one of the skyscrapers in the City? The Sky Garden is a in-doors garden on the top floor of the Walkie Talkie shaped building in the City. It allows you to have a 360-degree view of London and tickets are free (we love free entry)! Suggestion: book at sunset to have an unobstructed view of London’s golden hour.

• Hampstead Heath

When a glimpse of sun appears, Londoners throw themselves to the parks of the capital. I know you’ve heard all about Hyde Park and Regent’s Park, however, the most underrated park of the numerous ones in London is North-London’s Hampstead Heath. If you want a quiet undisturbed afternoon and lush green hills with views to the city, this is the place to go. In the summer you can even swim in the ponds for less than £5! Perfect for dog lovers since it is filled with locals walking their dogs.

• South Bank

The walk towards South Bank never disappoints, regardless of what part of London you live. Putting aside sightseeing during the journey, South Bank and Waterloo always have fun thing to do. Book stalls, food markets, performances, skateparks … all while walking along the Thames towards landmarks like the London Eye and the Big Ben. Most of the options for food are affordable but I would recommend the Waterloo food market on Sundays. You can find all kinds of delicious food!

• Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is a new personal discovery and I regret not having gone sooner! This beautiful botanical garden is accessible to students for £9 (with student ID) and features rose fields, a tropical green house, a palace and individual gardens with a vast variety of magnificent plants, trees and flowers. Located next to Richmond and at the edge of the Thames, it is the perfect place for a picnic during summer.

To finish off, a piece of advice: always check for student discounts. In my experience 80% of the time there is a deduction in the entry price for activities. And go enjoy London!

 

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This blog was written by Ines, MEng Biomedical Engineering

Photo credit: All pictures supplied by Ines