How to Explore Your New City as an Intern in London

London is one of the worldwide hubs for a multitude of industries. Which makes it a desirable prospect for any intern that wants to begin their career here! So sit back and relax as we guide you on the best way to enjoy and explore London as an intern.

Today, London is one of the largest economic areas in Europe. And with the reverberations of Brexit finally coming to an end, it’s a fantastic place to embark on a career. This is in part due to the wide range of opportunities on offer as well as being one of the most multicultural cities in the world.

It remains on many people’s top cultural and travel destinations. And for good reason! It has a rich, fascinating and a times dark history and no shortage of cultural destinations to explore. From museums, art galleries, and theatres to cultural events, historic houses and architecture. 

It’s chock-full of attractions too. With places of interest on every street corner. From Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to the Southbank and the London Eye. As well as numerous royal attractions including Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London and Kensington Gardens to name a few.

At first, it’s easy to be overwhelmed as you explore London as a new intern. Precisely because there’s so much to do and see! And 19th century architecture flirts with the contemporary in this city that brims with marvels of past and present.

So let’s take you on a journey and show you how to explore this famous city as an intern.

Don’t worry, London has left its smoggy roots behind so breathing is the easy part. However, it’s the vastness of this city which will take your breath away! 

As your plane touches down at Heathrow, Gatwick or London City Airport you’ll be amazed at the size of London and its extended boroughs. 

If you’re a Beyond Academy intern, we can reduce the stress of travel and pick you up directly from the airport. We’ll take you straight to your new London home. So you can make the most of your trip without grappling with getting your bearings during jet lag. Or navigating the Tube straight away!

Those who are travelling without the assistance of Beyond Academy will marvel at King’s Cross Station. Which puts a spell on both new and old visitors. Most of Heathrow’s guests make time to catch a train straight to platform 9 ¾ where J. K. Rowling’s wizards set off for Hogwarts. 

As you wait for the next train to appear, nip in the Fortnum and Mason Tea salon for a luxurious breakfast. Or go easy on your budget – it’s your first day – and find one of King’s Cross’s 50+ areas to grab a coffee! The King’s Cross district boasts multiple coffee houses and restaurants suitable for any budget. 

In fact, the local area is well worth checking out. You’ll be tempted to catch a later train and instead explore the halls of the British Library and Gagosian Art Gallery. Both are situated next to the station exits.  

Once you’ve soaked up some London culture – or post-flight coffee – it’s time to navigate the London Underground. Despite its complicated appearance, it’s relatively easy to find your way. In fact, as you explore London as an intern, you’ll soon work out where to go and which platform to wait on.

Plus, there are always plenty of staff around to help you if you get lost or need help topping up your Oyster Card. Alternatively, you can use any contactless bank card to get around. Which makes it super convenient and easy. You’ll be travelling like an honorary Londoner in no time!

With so much choice on offer, you’ll soon discover something delicious as you explore London. In fact, we think food is the best way to explore London as a new intern. Because it’s such a melting pot of culture, you’ll find food from all over the globe. For those of you travelling from further afield, it’s likely that as soon as jet lag subsides, you’ll be ravenous!

Though you may not always photograph your meals, one can’t help it when you stroll through one of London’s famous food markets.  

For instance, there’s Borough Market. Which accommodates pastry chefs, pizza and panini experts, merchants of specialist coffee beans. As well as all the fresh produce you can find under the market’s dome (and probably the sun). 

It would take months to sample every item of this place’s menu. Keep in mind there’s also Sicillian Bello Gnocco, Korean Koritto, and French Duck Burgers. As well as various other global cuisines that await you at the Maltby and Southbank Centre markets! 

But if you want to start your internship with some English cuisine. Then keep an eye out for the traditional fish and chip shops with long queues or unassuming cafes that offer Full English Breakfasts. And don’t forget to sample one of London’s curryhouses; after all, Chicken Tikka Masala is the national dish!

Impress friends and relatives when you return home with your knowledge of British art, history and culture. Don’t miss out on many of London’s cultural attractions, many of which are free.  As you explore London as a new intern, these cultural attractions will be your friend. You’ll learn so much more about the city, which in turn, will help you to understand the work culture too.

Aside from the Crown Jewels housed in the Tower of London, and a few others, many of the venues of great cultural significance are free. From museums and galleries to historical places of note. 

The British Museum opened doors for all curious minds free of charge back in the 1700s. As a result, it’s the oldest public museum in the world. And it houses artefacts from all corners of the globe. 

London’s policy on easy access to venues of intellectual enlightenment will allow you to absorb as much as possible. Regardless of your budget, head to the Victoria & Albert Museum, then onto the nearby Natural History Museum. Then peruse the Royal Academy of Arts with ease. 

Though some people do find London to be an expensive city, it does boast many free attractions, galleries, museums and parks. Perhaps it’s proof that the best things in life are free after all? 

When people compile bucket lists of things to see in London, chances are you’ll find:

– Buckingham Palace
– Tower Bridge
– The Houses of Parliament
– Westminster Abbey

But if you want to discover the real London, seek refuge from the iconic landmarks and uncover some great experiences.

If you know where to look, there’s some great street art to be found. Especially in the Shoreditch area. Get to know the London streets via graffiti and street art on a Graffiti Art Tour. 

Or go it alone and find iconic work from worldwide artists such as the UK’s most well known, Banksy. As well as France’s Invader or Spain’s Borondo. Stop at various cafes and restaurants along the way for refreshments – there’s certainly no shortage of them in this city!

Contrary to popular belief, London can be quite sunny. The moment the sun illuminates London’s grayscale streets, a new London appears. Take advantage of any brighter and drier days at one of London’s many roof-top bars or restaurants. 

If the weather is less than ideal, why not head to Cafe in the Crypt. Located in Trafalgar Square, with its poignant galleries and Corinthian arcade columns. 

Its exterior – a church known as St Martin-in-the-Fields – has been featured in the works of Orwell (Nineteen Eighty-four), Charles Dickens (David Copperfield), and Neal Stephenson (Quicksilver). 

Accessible only by a lift that displays one button which takes you down to ‘The Crypt’, this Cafe defines the literal and metaphorical meaning of ‘underground’. 

For the past 30 years it has not only lured visitors with brick-vaulted ceilings and tombstones lining its floor. But affordable meals and a calm ambiance are the shining features of this serene spiritual corner. 

After enjoying the atmosphere, soak up the nearby culture of Trafalgar Square. 

As you continue to enjoy and explore London as an intern on your days off, you’ll discover hidden gems everywhere. The more you immerse yourself in all London has to offer, the better your overall internship experience.

For theatre lovers, there’s Soho and Covent Garden. Which are areas that boast hundreds of performances and events. As well as nightclubs, casinos, gig venues, cinemas and plenty to keep you entertained. 

Be sure to experience pub culture. You don’t need to drink alcohol. But pubs are social hubs for Londoners and are a great place to meet new people and learn some local slang! 

But it’s not just pubs. Because nightlife is everywhere in London. Even museums sometimes host nighttime tours. And you won’t need to worry about getting back home. Because buses and tube services run well into the early morning hours. 

At night, the city comes alive and feels like a new place. For instance, you could take advantage of a bus tour unlike any other. 

Ghost Bus Tours visit London’s most haunted places! But don’t get the chills just yet. 

Because it’s a comedy show on wheels. It showcases a nightly tour of London where your conductor avails you with the mystery cases and unsolved crimes that shroud London’s most popular landmarks.

As with all big cities, your schedule is likely to be full to the brim. As you’ll be eager to see and do everything! 

But this means that time will undoubtedly go quickly. City life is fast-paced and weeks quickly turn to months. So make sure you plan what you want to see and do in advance. Your first day will be over in a flash!

As your first day in London ends, each day that follows will reveal more. However, you may need some guidance to help you successfully navigate London.

Of course, Beyond Academy can help. If you want to experience London culture with an internship in this capital city, then Beyond Academy’s Community Team will support you. And of course, there’ll also be Community trips and biweekly dinners with other interns. 

Beyond Academy can guide you from start to end. From the resume and application process to helping you get settled. And we can even provide visa support. 

So find out more about our internship program in London or get in touch with us now and become an honorary Londoner!