This is my college, School of Oriental and African Studies, or SOAS. I registered on 29 Sep and walked around the campus. It is divided into two campuses, about 20 mins' walking distance of each other.
The Russell Square campus is located in Bloomsbury, an area at the corner of the West End known to many tourists for its bustling cultural life and nightlife. The Vernon Square campus in Islington opened in 2001 is close to Kings Cross Station. But it's not so happening over there, and most of the student activities and lectures are carried out at the Russell Square campus, of which the nearest Underground station is Russell Square.
(SOAS Russell Square campus, along Thornhaugh Street)
Most of the tube stations in Central London do not seem to have elevators. It's mainly stairs and lifts. When I reached Russell Square, I decided to take the stairs because there were many people waiting for the lift. Guess how many steps are there on this flight of stairs?
175 steps! My legs were aching at two-thirds of the way up. But it's excellent exercise! Maybe I'll make it my weekly workout routine. Haha.
SOAS is located near Russell Sqaure, which is not far away from Covent Garden, where you can catch lots of West End and Les Miserables, Lion King, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and many others. I hope to catch one or two plays over the next 2 weeks, but this has to wait till I'm more settled with my admin stuff.
SOAS is a very metropolitan school. People from all over Asia, African, Europe and America study here, so I'm very sure I'll have a wonderful time making friends with people of different cultural backgrounds. Thankfully there are not many Singaporeans studying at SOAS. :-)
Many people have asked why I've chosen to do research on China in an English country. I've spent 4 years in Beijing for my undergraduate studies and have experienced quite a bit of China. I enjoyed myself thoroughly but now it's high time I venture on something different. I can still recall that as a primary school kid, I had once entertained the thought of studying abroad in China and England. So I guess my dreams have come true. lol.
(Freshers registering during the orientation week of SOAS)
London is not always gloomy and gray. Before winter arrives, I can still soak in the warmth and light of the autumn sun.
(Bloomsbury district around SOAS)
3 comments:
This is odd. I've always thought England is always gray & gloomy.
Good that you are experiencing a new change in life.
Take care :)
all the best there!!!!!!!
hope you're doing real fine over there!! :)
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