Best food markets in London

By Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, on 1 September 2022

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!

This blog was written by Rachel, Biomedical Engineering

Reflections: My first year on Biomedical Engineering

By Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, on 1 August 2022

My first year at UCL has officially come to an end and I can’t believe how fast these a-little-less-than-ten-months went by!

In the span of a few months, I went from being a wide-eyed 18-year-old to a young adult full of ambition. I have learnt a lot, met so many inspiring people, both teaching staff and students, and grown so much as a person.

MOVING TO LONDON : Making a home away from home

It feels like only yesterday I was in a plane in the direction of London, looking through the porthole and feeling both nervous and excited about this new adventure that was just about to start.

Moving away from my family and the country I had always lived in, adapting to a new city, meeting new people, and having to make a home away from home was not easy at first. At that time, I found the prospect of moving to London by myself and starting this new chapter of my life daunting and overwhelming and I had far too many apprehensions. But this is all part of growing up and as unsettling as that was, things got easier with time.

After my first few weeks at UCL, I had joined a society I really liked, met new friends, discovered my favourite study spaces, made peace with the 9am lectures and started a life-long friendship (although unstable in times of strikes) with the tube!

All these small experiences and achievements familiarised me with this new chapter and made me excited for it.

MY COURSE : Biomedical Engineering

University is undoubtedly very different from high-school and one key point of my first year was obviously my course.

After spending one year studying it, I could not be more reassured that I made the right choice. What I really like about Biomedical Engineering is that it offers an interdisciplinary approach that allows me to apply the knowledge I have acquired in Engineering, Physics and Maths to the medical field or, in other terms, to innovate in the clinical domain. It really is an interesting and exciting course where I am perpetually learning, expanding my horizons, and growing, both as an engineer and as a person.

I think the highlight of this first year were the Scenario Weeks during which we had to work in teams on exciting, hands-on projects which included developing a wearable device and designing a healthcare app.

This makes me very excited about the coming years and I am looking forward to all the exciting projects I will be working on.

SOCIETIES/CLUBS : A door to new experiences, friendships and opportunities

Finally, when it comes to my first year, I think that one last essential part of it were the clubs and/or societies. At the start of the year, after attending an online social event which I really enjoyed, I decided to join the UCL Women’s Engineering Society, and it was probably one of the best decisions I made.

Indeed, by doing so, I got the chance to meet and befriend so many students who have the same interests as me, to attend amazing socials and to become one of UCLWES’s executives which allowed me to further enhance various skills.

Next year, I will be the treasurer of UCLWES and I am really looking forward to this new role and to the great socials and activities that we will be organising.

So my advice to any first year reading this post would be: go to the welcome fair, try out the taster sessions, attend the socials, you never know, you may discover THE society/club that is made for you and make life-long friends.

As this blog post is drawing to an end, so does my reflection on my first year. I know that I will forever be thankful for this first year, and this is why I am both, a little sad at the idea of letting it go and excited about what is coming next!

There will be periods of homesickness and stress, but there will also be periods of joy and excitement. Life, certainly, does not come with a map and these ups and downs are what make it so special and full of lessons! 🙂

This blog was written by Sirine, MEng Biomedical Engineering

Photo credits: All pictures supplied by Sirine

London on a Budget

By Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, on 14 July 2022

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!

This blog was written by Ines, MEng Biomedical Engineering

Photo credit: All pictures supplied by Ines

Reflecting on my time with MPBE

By Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, on 24 June 2022

My best friend and I went on a nostalgic walk around UCL last week, remembering the highs and lows and discussing fond memories we had made over the last four years. As we walked past our favourite meeting spot (Malet Place cafe), sat on the Portico steps in the sunshine, and passed the iconic Jeremy Bentham auto-icon, we realised this was probably our last time on campus together. It was through this walk that I realised how many inspirational people I had met at UCL, both students and staff, and how much I had grown as a person as a result of studying in the Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering Department. If you are starting in September or continuing on to the next year of your degree, I hope that some of these tips will help you make the most of your time in the department and at UCL in general.

Go to department events

The MPBE department puts on many events throughout the year to both welcome newcomers and showcase different areas of the department. In October, we went on a guided boat tour along the Thames, which was hosted by the department. It was a fun day out, seeing the sights, and meeting students from different years who we hadn’t met before. It was a good way to share your experiences with students who were just starting their degree and for new students to meet older students who they could ask for advice.

Don’t be afraid of meeting new people

The MPBE department has a wide range of research groups concentrating on topics from MRI to proton therapy. If you are interested in a topic, do not be afraid to approach new people in the department to discuss it. Completing a research project in my final year at UCL was one of my favourite parts of my four years here. Working with many different people in the department and across UCL, I was able to apply my knowledge and passion for radiation to an experiment. This project helped me realise what I wanted to do with my future career, and I couldn’t have finished it without the help of the people I met in the department.

It’s OK to find things difficult

Starting university is very daunting. Everybody already seems to know what they are doing, where to go and how to do this week’s problem sheet. I found some modules very difficult (looking at you labs!). I remember crying during one of the lab sessions because I didn’t understand something, but then the lab supervisor came over to offer guidance and support, and my classmates asked if I wanted a hug. Don’t be afraid of asking for help when things are difficult!

Here are some pictures from my time studying at UCL:

1st year Medical Physics doing secret Santa (2018)

Some photos taken during the boat trip to Greenwich (2021)

Some photos taken during the boat trip to Greenwich (2021)

Rehabilitation Robotics lab session selfie (with EMG electrodes placed on arm to convert electrical signals to a motor to simulate hand opening and closing) (2022)

Celebration of end of exams with some Medical Physics friends in my year (2022)

Me and my friend took some photos around UCL during our ‘last trip around UCL’. This is me on the Portico steps.

I have loved my four years doing Medical Physics at UCL and am sad to see it come to an end. I’ll always remember the memories made and know that I can count on the friends I’ve met along the way. Thank you MPBE!

This blog was written by Pip, fourth year MSci Medical Physics (graduating summer 2022)

Photo credits: Pip

What to consider when attending university open days

By Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, on 3 May 2022

Everyone has their own concerns about university and what not. One big question that every student asks themselves is “How should I approach university open days?”. Firstly, it’s crucial to understand that open days are made for students and students are the center of attention. Obviously, students who attend these open days need to see whether this university is what they are looking for. But how can you do that?

1. Make a list (whether it be a physical list or a note in your mind) of what you are looking for in a university. Some people want very academic universities that have very intense learning programmes, while others want a university that has a good academic approach, but that gives them the freedom to socialise more. Some people want big universities, other smaller ones.
2. When preparing for a university open day it is a good idea to make a list of questions to ask. Take a note of the answers and see whether they match what you are looking for.

So, as you see there is nothing to worry about when going to an open day, and worst comes to worst you do not like the university and you do not apply there. But at least you had a good day vising the university!

As to university applications, not to get philosophical or anything, but it is a good idea to pick based on your priorities and university is the best for you. It is very common to go for universities that have big names as there’s a perception that graduating from a big-name university automatically means you are successful. Of course, graduating from top universities plays a part in building a good network with people, but who said you cannot do that by graduating somewhere else?

Now, I can’t say what is best for you, it took me a lot of thinking and reflection to find out what is the best for me, and I am still learning. Trust me when I say, your mental wellbeing is very important. People seem to forget that when it comes to choosing a university. Yes, work hard and challenge yourself with a high-ranking university if you can, but remember a university is nothing more than a place, it is your adaptation to it that makes the difference. To ease off the anxiety that comes with the idea of university, there seems to be this idea that some universities are unreachable and impossible to get in, but the bigger picture is that those students studying there are just like you, yes you reading this. University is so much more than learning. It is about making friends and gaining experience while getting a taste of freedom and responsibility that comes with being a young adult.

Shake off the fears that come with the idea of university and remember all the universities are made for students and they are achievable with the right amount of dedication! Good luck!

This blog was written by Elio, MEng Biomedical Engineering

Photo credit: James Tye | UCL Welcome 2021

Day in the life of a MEng Biomedical Engineering student

By Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, on 25 April 2022

When I applied to university, I could picture myself doing the big things. Going to interesting lectures and doing exciting projects, exploring all that London has to offer during day and night; and making a lot of friends. But what I didn’t pause to think about, which I reckon is the case for most prospective students, is what my routine would look like. So, what would a normal day in the life of a 19-year-old Biomedical Engineering student look like?

Early mornings

Even if I don’t have class, waking up later than 8am is dangerous game for me since I get tempted to stay working in my bed the days I don’t have class. However, I try to still wake up in order to be on campus around 9am to ensure a somewhat productive day.

Morning Light Through my Window

Firing up my brain

I’ve found that waking up and leave immediately does not work for me, so I give myself half an hour to drink my coffee and be in my phone. That way, my brain is already fully awake by the time I sit in class or library.

Out the door

Since I don’t live within walking distance to campus (technically I do but I’m lazy in the mornings) I take the bus. However, my laziness makes my bank account scream since TFL is so expensive now. I normally get to campus 10 minutes early and go grab a coffee at the student centre cafe, since it’s nicer than Pret. Pro tip: if you hand them your reusable cup to use, you get your drink for cheaper!

View of St Pancras from the bus

Prime Focus Time

If I don’t have any classes that day, I’ll go settle into my study space in one of the libraries in campus (science library or student centre preferably), and follow my weekly schedule to keep up to date with content and assignments. This period of the day is crucial since I get the more done in the morning.

Lunch Break

Since the sun is coming out again and it’s getting warmer, I meet my friends for lunch in Gordon Square. Sometimes when you’re in campus it feels like you don’t get enough air since you’re always indoors, so I like to take a breather during lunch. Plus, every opportunity to tan must be seized.

UCL Wilkins Building

Terminating Daily Tasks and Me-Time

After finishing my tasks for the day an afternoon lectures, I head home at around 5pm. When I get home I go to the gym, or at least I try to a couple times a week. I found that working late in the evening does not work well for me, so I give myself a couple hours before watching the last lectures or finishing up anything that was not done on campus.

Sunset sky on my way back home

Finally, I aim to be in bed by 11:30 pm since getting anything less than 8 hours of sleep makes me a zombie the next day. We can’t forget to go out and have fun a couple times a week. At the end of the day, we need to enjoy time with friends to keep our lifestyle balanced and avoid burning out!

This blog was written by Ines, MEng Biomedical Engineering

Photo credit: All pictures supplied by Ines

It’s important to switch off when studying!

By Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, on 21 April 2022

That time of year is coming again, the exam season!

Most of you are probably stressed; trying to revise as much as you can and be as prepared as possible so that you score some good grades. However, sometimes your mental wellbeing gets left behind and you get anxious for no apparent reason, or you feel empty even though you are preparing and not procrastinating. This phenomenon also happened to me, and I had to find various activities to get back on track and have a healthy mind. This increased my efficiency in learning, and I managed to do very well in my exams scoring a first in everything. So here are some tips to switch off from the revision period:

Go for a walk. I know, I know, too simple! But who said it does not work? Sometimes something as simple as going for a walk and breathing some fresh air outside can help you completely switch off from studying and help you relax. If you have been studying for a long period without a break 4-5 hours, it is also good as you get some movement and get that blood circulation right. You can plug in your headphones and listen to some music too, but I would not recommend it as your brain won’t be fully switched off. Just walk around and think for a good 10-15 minutes and when you come back you will be much more efficient and have energy to keep on going without being mentally drained

Take time off. Some of you may be saying, but it the exam season why should I take time off? Well, its not what you want it’s what you need. Your body will get physically tired after studying 7 days a week, 4-5 hours per day and it will come to a point where you will not want to do revision at all. Taking a day off lets you rest and reset to be ready to go back at revising again.

On a day off, I recommend doing some kind of sports activity, but honestly anything which makes you happy works.

Taking a day off is not wasted time. Time you enjoy wasting is not actually wasted, but make sure to keep in check so that you don’t take too many days off. If you are not the type of person who plays sports or goes to the gym, then staying inside is also fine. You can spend time on youtube or you can play video games however do not spend too much time on electronics as this does not give you time to actually rest.

I hope this has helped even a tiny bit and good luck with your exams 🙂

This blog was written by Elio, MEng Biomedical Engineering

Photo credit: Jeswin Thomas | Unsplash