London Cultural Activities

Take advantage of the unique flavor London has to offer. CEA offers a variety of local cultural activities to match your interests. Whether you enjoy music concerts, clubs, sports, cooking classes, language exchanges or something entirely different, our resident staff can help you get involved in the local culture. Here are just some examples.

Walking Tour

This is a journey that will take students back to a very different London from what they see before them today. Hidden gems await as students learn about how London has grown and evolved over the centuries. The tours are tailored specifically to each group; students will have the chance to retrace the steps of Shakespeare, discover “Secret London”, or maybe even follow the route of some of London's most notorious characters. Walking has never been so interesting. These tours are a real eye-opener and will leave students wanting to find out more about their adoptive home. The places visited along the tour and the new knowledge gained will enable students to impress their guests when they come and visit.

The Globe Theater

The new Shakespeare's Globe is an international education and entertainment resource which aims to express and utilize Shakespeare's work through the playhouse and various workshops. The original Globe was built in around 1599, but was closed along with all theaters under England’s Puritan administration in 1642. The project to rebuild Shakespeare’s Globe was initiated by the American actor, director and producer Sam Wanamaker. The new Globe was opened by Her Majesty the Queen in June 1997.

Museum or Gallery Tour

Jump at the chance to see the Rosetta stone, Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh, the Mummies and a giant dinosaur skeleton all within a few miles. A guided tour will point out highlights of London’s collections and open your imagination to the history and art of much of the world.

Cricket/Football/Polo/Rugby (Seasonal)

Sports may not be “everyone’s cup of tea”, but they do play (excuse the pun) a vital role in British culture. People come together from all walks of life to watch rugby or a cricket match. Sporting events are a great tradition in the UK, and are seen by academics as a way of commentating on the culture of a country. A Saturday afternoon spent cheering for one’s favorite team is part of English life; CEA students will have the opportunity to not only visit a sports stadium but also to learn about the details of the game.

University Specific Opportunities

Goldsmiths College, University of London
University of Westminster
Foundation for International Education

Goldsmiths College, University of London

Sports

Goldsmiths offers students the opportunity to get involved with a wide variety of sports club such as rugby and football. Regular classes are also offered in aerobics and aikido. Facilities include Loring Sports Ground in Sidcup which is used for football, cricket & rugby; Lockwood Building recreation hall for indoor sports and Club Pulse fitness centre & gym. Nearby are tennis courts track & field facilities and a swimming pool and leisure complex.

Clubs & Societies

There is a variety of clubs and societies with which students are able to get involved. This is a great way to meet other international students as well as British students with similar interests.

Recitals & Performances

Students at Goldsmiths regularly put on lunchtime recitals on campus and evening performances in the community which are open to all students.

Degree Shows

As a university for the creative arts, Goldsmiths offers a wide range of shows between June and August which display students’ final degree works in media such as fine art, textiles and design. Some pieces may be for sale.

Student Media

The award-winning Smiths Magazine and Wired radio station are always looking for student contributors. Getting involved with these organizations is a great way to build resumes and meet British students.

Volunteer Opportunities and Community Service

Students can get involved with volunteering and a range of community service activities such as New Deals for Communities.

Department of Professional and Community Education (PACE)

PACE offers a wide range of evening courses, at reasonable prices in areas such as Cultural and Social Studies (including creative writing, journalism, literature, sociology), Languages (including English as a Foreign Language), and Performing Arts (including courses in guitar, jazz and popular music, percussion, piano/keyboard, saxophone, and world music).

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University of Westminster

Clubs & Societies

• Afro & Caribbean Society
• Animal Rights Society
• Christian Union
• Comparative Ideologies
• Drama Society
• Drum & Bass Society
• Electronic Dance Music Society
• Fashion Society
• Fight Against Aids Society
• Film Society
• Gaming Society
• Hindu Society
• Indie Culture Society
• Integrated Medicine Society
• International Law Society
• International Human Rights Society
• International Student Society
• Islamic Society
• Japanese Society
• Korean Society
• Live Music Society
• Mothers Society
• Muslim Women's Cultural Society
• Sikh Society
• Socialist Worker Student Society
• Soul Train Society
• Tamil Society
• The Law & Debating Society
• UNICEF
• Uzbekistan Awareness Society
• Wesminster Volunteers Society

Athletic Union

They also have the Athletic Union which has a range of sports clubs.

Volunteer & Job Opportunities

Students who are interested in volunteering and getting involved with the local community can contact our Community Volunteering Unit which is part of the Careers and Student Employment office based at the Marylebone Campus. They can help students find suitable volunteer placements, and the CaSE office can provide help and advice regarding part-time jobs, resumes and interviews.

Student Newspaper

The Student magazine 'Smoke' is always looking for contributors.

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Foundation for International Education (FIE)

Membership of Imperial College Union:

A great way to meet local students, membership of nearby Imperial College’s union gives access to numerous clubs and societies e.g. sports clubs, arts and academic societies and allows FIE students to participate in a variety of activities such as concerts and pub quiz nights. FIE students can also use the Imperial College student cafes, restaurants and bars.

International Student House

This exciting membership with the International Student House (ISH) provides students with another opportunity to engage in student activities in London.  There is something for everyone at ISH, from sports, music, and travel clubs to karaoke. Various ISH events are posted on the dedicated notice board in Foundation House and students are given ISH’s ‘Blend’ magazine in their welcome packs on arrival to ensure they don’t miss out on everything ISH has to offer during their program in London.

Volunteer Opportunities

FIE assists students who would like to contribute to their host society through volunteering in the wider community. Examples of volunteer opportunities have included clerical work, stewards at charity races and a variety of other activities.

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