PASSTIMES 2022 Summer Edition

President’s Message

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President’s Message Committee Photos 2-3 4-5

freshers, regardless of the background you are from, A-Levels, DSE or IB, we couldn’t be more excited to have you join us, we welcome everyone with open arms. You must be anxious and excited at the same time, but rest assured we are here to help! We are more than happy to answer any questions, no matter what it is - settling down, academics or whatever you have in mind. Before introducing what activities we have for the coming year, allow me to share with you our vision and goals for the year.

Tube Strikes Romania Missionary Trip 6-7 8-9 14-15 16-25 26-27 28-30 31-35

Past Activities 10-11 12-13

President’s

The rst pillar of ICPASS lies in . The issues we try to address are not only con ned to politics alone, but they also include environmental, ethical, and technological issues… Having enrolled in STEM-related subjects at Imperial does not mean you should turn a blind eye to global a airs. On the contrary, I believe we should, at the very least, try to learn what is happening around the globe and nd ways to contribute to the best of our ability. For instance, our agship eventFamine 24 with World Vision allows us to take action in addressing poverty and hunger. Other inter-university events, such as the co-hosted Joint University Forum on roadblocks throughout the immigration with BN(O), prevent us from growing distant from our community as future leaders. Our PA events aim to give a platform for you to gain a better understanding of public a airs, as well as to apply critical thinking in our everyday life.

Besides the two pillars, we also put emphasis on aiding our members in the career aspect. The mentoring programme held every summer connects students to alumni as mentors, providing networking opportunities and career advice. Many of the recipients gave positive feedback and commented they gained insights into what they should pursue in the future. You are most welcome to participate in it and bene t from it, but be aware of the deadline, which is usually by the end of August. If you missed the deadline, mark your calendars and join us next year!

The second pillar lies in

. In this division, we try to get our hands into volunteering and contribute to the community with our actions, as action speaks louder than words! We sincerely hope you may step up with us for those in need. Without your participation, our e ort will only go so far. Other than our agship event, Famine24, we would also hold year-round events, so we could give back in a consistent manner. Participating in such events will also allow you to broaden your horizons, gain invaluable insights and meet friends from various universities.

We look forward to meeting everyone in person and do take note of our coming

Iris Li

Anson Wong

Louis Tang

Civil Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Medical Biosciences

Secretary Secretary

Treasurer Treasurer

President President

Vice President (SS) Vice President (SS)

Publication Officer Publication Officer

Physics

Social Officer Social Officer

Treasurer Treasurer

(SS) (SS)

Vice President (PA)

Vice President (PA)

If you live in London or the UK, the term tube strike won’t be unfamiliar to you. The strikes made you check the news on transport every day, scrap your weekend plans or even grant you a day o from school. But did you know what are their demands, what are the causes of it and how much bigger the issue is than you rst thought?

During tube strikes, numerous tube lines were a ected. Central and Victoria lines su ered from a 6-month night tube strike. Piccadilly and Waterloo and City lines were suspended multiple times and Jubilee, Central, Victoria and Northern lines had frequent serious delays, Transport for London (TfL) even said on one of the days. The movement not only a ected London but also escalated into a national transport disruption. Commenced on 21 June, a 24-hour National Railway strike was staged, it was the biggest train strike in more than 30 years with thousands of members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union at Network Rail and 13 train operators walking out, . And the nightmare is far from over, more strikes are set to take place in the future, as unions and transport bosses still cannot come to an agreement and more forces are joining the strike such as London Overground and London buses.

Tube Strikes

Tube and rail workers are striking for 4 main demands. Firstly, they demand to , as most rail workers are enduring two or three years of pay freezes whilst Members of Parliament (MPs) have received a rise worth almost worth 6% during the period. Other than that, they believe that they should have a fair pay rise that takes into account the rising cost of living. Secondly, they demand that there must be of rail workers. Downsizing is common during the pandemic, TfL has also announced plans to axe between 500 and 600 station posts to salvage its dire nancial situation. In light of this, rail workers are worried about losing their job in these di cult times. Penultimately, they demand

management are signalling their the Tube and therefore worsening Also, they claim that the action they demand the generous pension scheme in National Union of Rail, Maritime sta are working very unsocial tions and are the heroes for therefore they should not be

There are 2 main factors that cause the issue. First and foremost, the and related restrictions have had signi cant impacts on public transport use. Following the announcement of the initial lockdown in March 2020, public transport use fell by at most 95%, between 30 to 50% of normal use for rail and around 50 to 60% of normal use for buses. This led to TfL’s various reforms to cut funds to sustain its pro tability. Other than that, UK residents are facing . Consumer Prices Index (CPI) were 9.4% higher in June 2022 than a year before. Thus, workers are demanding a pay rise to keep up with the in ation especially when they are enduring multiple years of pay freezes by the TfL.

Similar movements are seen around Europe or even the world. Multiple European airlines, as well as airport workers, are striking for similar demands. Commenced on 20 June 2022, Scandinavian airline SAS cancelled 173 ights, more than half of its schedule, as a breakdown in pay talks set o a pilot strike. It said the strike would force it to cancel half of SAS’s scheduled ights and a ect about 30,000 passen

Strikes

their intention to downsize vital areas of worsening the working condition of the sta . action would even risk passengers safety. Lastly, , as TfL is reviewing its in a bid to save around £100 million a year. The Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) believed that their unsocial hours in all types of adverse weather and condi keeping the country moving during the pandemic, cutting funds from them.

I am glad to be sharing with you all my missionary trip to Romania, which took place from the 8th to 15th of June to serve Ukrainian refugees that have settled in a local Romanian Church. It is an immense privilege to have joined this 7-day trip organized by the Chinese Overseas Church Mission (COCM), being handed this precious experience to serve the local community through providing good care and shelter for the displaced Ukrainians. It has been truly eye-opening to reach out and learn to relate with them for myself!

The journey started like any other—after a long day of travelling, we arrived in the town of Galati, where we served for the full 7 days. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by the host of grateful volunteers, as they looked back on the hectic times at the beginning of the war, when the huge in ux of Ukrainians ran everyone in the church to the ground. Having got past the worst of times, work was still to be done—the Ukrainians, about 35 of them, were waiting to be helped, so in no time we were all absorbed into the pile of tasks that awaited. The next few days were a host of mopping the oors in the hallway, before giving a good wash to the clothes and beddings that were used. Perhaps it was the rst time ever that doing chores felt so meaningful!

MissionaryRomania MissionaryRomania

It wasn’t long before we started to encounter the gazing stares from our fellow Ukrainians—soon a few kids ditched their reservations and ran up to us in hope of having some fun. The adults followed suit in breaking up the ice, using the few English words they could possibly squeeze out from their vocabulary. We simply returned the gesture as we took our Ukrainian/Russian cheat-sheet out of our pockets, hoping that we pronounced them right. Eventually knowing that this could only take us that far, the solution was to use good-old Google Translate—normally followed by “ah, Da! Da!” to rea rm our understanding of what was conveyed.

MissionaryRomaniaTrip MissionaryRomaniaTrip

by Matthew Tsang by Matthew Tsang

Year Biomedical Engineering Year Biomedical Engineering

As time progressed, we found ourselves spending increasingly more time distracting ourselves from the piles of aid and donations that needed packing into the storage room. What replaced it was moments of frenziness in games with the children, getting on a scooter instead when we no longer felt like running, or simply giving them a hug when we were knackered. (We still got our work done!) It was at that moment when the children—and the adults standing by, no longer looked like displaced refugees stricken by the harsh realities of war. It was beautiful to see their long-absent smiles reappearing on their faces, whether young or old! As we shared the dining table with our fellow Ukrainians, I was particularly touched by how far some of them have come along—to see the inevitable tears trickle down their faces as they described their stories. Each had a di erent story, all traumatic and painful experiences of being forced to leave their home. Mums had to take their children out of the country, who were still sulking the absence of their father, occasionally dodging the missiles that were landing at a mere 20-yards away from where they stood—all too heavy for a mum with 2 kids. The mixed feelings of fear and oppression felt so distant yet so near to us—and it was clear they needed huge courage to be telling us their stories. It was these deep connections with them that felt unique, to have their trust in the rst place, but also to empathize with them while not necessarily having experienced things rst-hand.

Time did y by on this trip, and before we could believe it, our moment to leave had arrived. Goodbyes were emotional ones, not helped by how they decided to surprise us with a lled greeting card fully written in English, custom-made for each team member. We stood till the very last minute permissible before the drivers grew impatient. As we bid our tearful farewells, we headed onto the highway towards home, thinking of the future of these kind people who will be dispersing further away from their homes over the next few weeks, thinking of the fruitful week we spent bringing god’s heavenly peace and joy to them.

Thesocialservice(SS)sideofICPASS focuses on promoting social responsibility, with the vision to raise awarenessofsocialissuesaroundthe world among university students, as wellasto encourageparticipation in volunteeringandcharitableactivities.

Lastyear,weheldavolunteeringevent in Hong Kong during the summer holidays. The event was a Kindness Walk with the non-profit organisation ImpactHK, where students got to distribute food and necessities to homeless people as they walk along the streets. It was a truly meaningful experience, allowing participants to help and offer kindness to a communityofHongKongthatisoften ignoredandforgotten.

Social Services

TheannualICPASSflagshipe alsosuccessfullyheldon20 the Royal School of Mines. eventinwhichparticipantsf aroundtheUK experience2 raise awareness about fami in developing countries an World Vision. During participated in many act Monopoly, a game where pa upinasimulatedsocietyand “working” different jobs at On the second day, parti gamesonthethemeofpove event allowed participan understanding of social m socialempathy.

KindnessWalk

Famine24

This year, we plan to hold a volunteering activity with Food Angel on 5 September 2022 in Hong Kong. Food Angel is a food rescue and food assistanceprogramlaunchedin2011byBoCharity Foundationwiththemissionof"WasteNot,Hunger Not, With Love". The program rescues edible surplus food from different sectors of the food industry that would otherwise be disposed of as waste. Participants could help prepare food ingredients and meal boxes for underprivileged communities in Hong Kong. It is a great opportunity to help those in need and give back to our society, as well as to get to know other fellow students in the PASS community! Stay tuned for more updates that would be posted on the ICPASS Instagramsoon!

MealPrepVolunteering

event–Famine24,was Novemberlastyearat Famine 24 is a charity frommanyuniversities 24hoursoffasting to ine and poverty issues nd to raise funds for the fast, students tivities such as Life articipants try to move dearnmoneythrough various game booths. ticipants played miniertyanddisability.This nts to foster their mobility and cultivate

By Muse Or By

By Iris Li

Survival Guide:

SouthKensington SouthKensington

The South Kensington campus is the main campus at Imperial where most undergraduate and postgraduate teaching as well as student activities take place.

It is home to the where you can study or do group projects, the for you to seek help when needed, the sports centre with a state-of-the-art gym and swimming pool, catering outlets with cuisines around the world to satisfy your cravings, and of course the Beit Quad with where you can relax and unwind after a long day.

White City White City

You can’t talk about the South Ken campus without mentioning , which stands proudly at the heart of the campus and in the wheel of history. Built in 1887 and standing 287 ft tall, it is visible across Central London and makes a great scenic spot. (Don’t forget its sick lighting in the evening!)

The White City and Hammersmith campuses are just a 10-minute walk away from White City station and Westeld London.

The newly developed and still renovating White City Campus is home to a range of research and innovation facilities such as the , , and the where some of you could have lab sessions or do your projects in. Also containing accommodation for postgrads and the School of Public Health, the White City campus would be the centrepiece for most postgrads!

Hammersmith Hammersmith

As for the Hammersmith campus, it is one of the medical campuses aside from Charing Cross, St. Mary’s and etc. It is also where undergraduate and postgraduate biomedical research takes place. Although the campus has , you could also walk over to West eld for more choices of food and shopping during lecture breaks!

Similar to Hong Kong, London has a comprehensive transport network operated by Transport for London (TfL). There are a variety of modes of transport to travel between destinations, and most places in central London are walk able.

Survival Guide: Transportation

However, the transportation costs in London are much higher than those in Hong Kong, and the London trains are not as clean as in the latter. The tubes and buses are not as frequent either and delays often occur. To worsen the situation, have been disrupting Londoners’ schedule since November 2021. In light of this, students are advised to plan their journey ahead and reserve more time in case of delays.

In terms of payment, most transport modes are , in other words only Oyster cards, contactless payment or a valid ticket are accepted. Although pay-as-you-go is the most convenient choice to shuttle between accommodation and campus, applying for an for travel is also a popular option among students as discounts apply. See the Tips section for more details.

Tube/Underground Tube/Underground

London has one of the most comprehensive and historical underground railway systems. Started in 1863, the London underground has extended from the capital to nearby Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex. Now, there are 11 tube lines serving 272 stations in the transit system. London underground was operated under TfL along with London Overground, DLR and trams.

The whole underground map is divided into multiple where di erent fares apply. Travelling between any stations within the same zone costs the same price; while travelling to farther zones charges more. You might be interested to look at the latest underground map on the TfL website.

Elizabeth Line Elizabeth Line

The Elizabeth line (or the purple line to most rail enthusiasts) is a crossrail (not a tube line) that traverses London from the west to the east. It links the existing TfL rails, one running from Reading to Paddington and the other from Liverpool Street to Shen eld, with a new section running through nine stations in central London. Originally planned to open in 2018, the opening of this massive system has been delayed to 24 May 2022, when the central part of the railway nally opened. The crossrail is named the Elizabeth Line as the opening date is a week before the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The opening in May, however, is not a full service. One has to change at Paddington and Liverpool Street to take the other parts of the Elizabeth line. The good news is that the integration of these three sections will happen by later this year.

The Elizabeth line is regarded as a new transport system according to TfL. It is not viewed as an underground line for the following reasons. In terms of service, the central section of the Elizabeth line will stop at all stations but the service of east and west branches behave like a railway – trains may not call at all intermediate stops. Moreover, services in the central part run every 5 minutes every day except on Sundays, which is more regular and e cient than any other tube line. In addition, running on the Elizabeth line are 9-car trains (with a total length of 205 m) compared to the 6-car or 8-car underground trains. These trains are spacious and can carry up to 1,500 passengers each. Finally, the fares of the Elizabeth line are generally higher than usual underground rides.

Currently, all newly built stations in London have step-free access, and so do all the stations on the Elizabeth line. After the full service of this magical line, it would be a blessing to both Londoners and tourists commuting between central London and her surroundings, especially the Heathrow airport.

Bus Bus

Similar to in Hong Kong, buses in London are run by multiple corpora tions (19 to be exact). They are totally cash-free, and each bus ride costs the same price . Some buses operate 24 hours a day and night buses are available for some bus routes. During tube strikes, buses run as usual.

apply to pay-as-you-go on buses, where commuters get unlimited journeys for the cost of one (i.e. £1.65) when they were made within an hour of touching in. If you are a bus lover, challenge yourself to travel from central London to the Heathrow airport at daytime with only £1.65!

Cycling Cycling

Cycling is also an option to travel around the magni cent city. You don’t need to purchase a bike; Santander cycles are available everywhere in London. Just go to any docking station terminals and follow the instructions on the touch screen to hire a bike. After you arrive at your destination, nd a docking station nearby to return it.

Riding a bicycle enables you to get around central London with the highest exibility and at one of the lowest costs. For you can rent a Santander cycle for up to 30 minutes (within a 24 hour period). Each additional 30 minutes in your journey charges £2. A yearly membership of £67.50 for students is also o ered for regu lar users.

Heathrow Halls Heathrow Halls Halls Campus Halls Campus

Piccadilly Line to Gloucester Road station (have elevators, just a couple of stairs)

Heathrow express / Elizabeth Line to Paddington Station

Elizabeth line to Acton Main Line station

Piccadilly Line to Green Park station & Jubilee Line to Waterloo station

Useful apps

TfL Go TfL Go

Introduced by TfL, this travel app is built around the famous London tube map. Routes of various modes (tube, bus and cycle) and options (such as step-free mode, least walking) are provided to suit your needs.

From Eastside/ Southside/Beit

From Wilson House

From North Acton (WW/KP)

From Xenia

Normally In case of tube strike

On foot On foot

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Check which part of the train (front, middle or back) is the most convenient to your journey as the way out to the exits and for interchange can be at the two ends of the platform. You can check this in Citymapper.

An app designed for commuters in di erent major cities around the world, including Hong Kong and London. Using the app in London, you can nd travel options by tube, rail and bus to destinations with respective times and fares. Latest information such as tra c news and tube strikes are also available, assisting you to journey on trips with the least time and the best experience.

Don’t get on the wrong train - Some underground lines branch to di erent stations. When waiting for an underground train, do look at the display to check where the incoming train terminates. You may reduce the risk of getting on the wrong train. In case you do and get lost in the complicated transit system, approach the sta at the station. See it, say it, sorted.

Survival Guide: Food + Groceries

Grocery Shopping Grocery Shopping

are three major supermarkets Imperial students go to! Asda provides a cheaper and wider collection of groceries. There is one Asda superstore 10-minute walk away from the of Kemp Porter and Woodward! It’s just easy peasy for you to get cheap groceries and master your culinary skills in the beautiful panoramic kitchen in North Acton! If you don’t want to walk, there is also a Tesco Express and a Sainsbury Local right next to North Acton Station, smaller ranges of food but you don’t have to take the walk!

No worries for students, there is also a large Sainsbury store 10 walk from the accommodation, next to Gloucester Road Tube Station! There is also an right below Eastside halls, groceries there are a bit pricey, but it’s a good deal if you don’t have the time to do grocery shopping.

Eating is no doubt a huge part of your uni life. :) You can’t survive without cooking and buying groceries by yourselves. If it’s your rst time leaving your family and living alone, especially in London, here’s a simple go-to guide for your grocery shopping and cooking routines!

Useful apps

Tesco Grocery Glubcard Tesco Grocery Glubcard

Save money by getting discounts with Clubcard prices at Tesco. Points can also be earned and turned into vouchers.

Nectar Nectar

Collect and spent points at shops like Sainsbury’s, Argos, Ebay and Esso. Get updated on o ers and deals quickly.

Food and Restaurants Food and Restaurants

Many Fast food options like locate next to accommodation sites, so you don’t need to worry if you can’t think of something to cook or eat.

However, there are also tons of good restaurants around South Kensington you de nitely have to try! From bubble tea stores like , Lebanese and Italian cuisine, to cafes or Japanese restaurants like , there is de nitely something that you would like.

If you want some Chinese food but don’t feel like cooking, just walk across Hyde Park to Queensway or take the tube to Chinatown and you can nd tens and hundreds of Chinese and Asian restaurants. 飲茶, hot pot, Korean barbecue or even 茶餐廳, you name it.

Generally, London o ers a wide range of grocery stores! From cheaper options like Aldi and Asda to Tesco and Sainsbury which are essentially everywhere in London, to more expensive options like o ering high-quality food and groceries, there are no worries in nding the groceries you need in London! There is even an in Hammersmith if you want some meatballs! :)

Everyone would get a little bit homesick when you get here in London alone, that’s normal! It’s time to buy some Chinese ingredients to cook some authentic

Recommended Restaurants

Kensington (Italian) (Malaysian) (Malaysian)

Element (Chinese, Karoake included)

Barbeque (Slightly expensive quality meat)

(Chinese-style dessert)

Supermarkets Tier list

Asian food to cure your homesickness.

God Tier:

Departmental store supermarkets such as Harrods Food Hall should be avoided for daily groceries shopping. However, they do provide products of top-notch quality.

C Tier:

C for cheapest. What a steal!

is located right beside Woodward buildings. Besides, there are a bunch of Asian markets located in Chinatown at Leicester Square station, for example and

. Fancy some Japanese food? Go to or at West eld London. Although the groceries are kind of expensive, it is denitely worth the price tasting something from home.

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Try to keep your grocery shopping under budget by keeping track of your expenses! Going to the supermarket costs you a lot unexpectedly!

Try more di erent food and cuisines! Let your foodie mind out to explore the yums in London!

Cook more! It’s okay that you don’t cook perfectly every time, but you will improve! Cooking saves you money and also, the kitchen is de nitely a good place for you to make friends! :)

Survival Guide: Banking + Finances

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To get extra discounts on travel fares, consider . You can buy a Railcard 16-25 for only £30 for 1 year or £70 for 3 years. Apply online and get 1/3 o train travel in Britain. What’s more, at any tube station and you can save 1/3 of the fares in o -peak travel.

Try to for cheaper fares! (Weekdays 06:30-09:30 & 16:00-19:00)

Larger supermarket chains like Tesco and Sainsbury’s have smaller convenience stores (Tesco Express/Sainsbury Local). Do remember to to get discounted prices.

Setting up a Premier/Joint account with your parents with HSBC in HK (Recommended!)

As the largest international bank in UK, HSBC has di erent regulations when setting up these accounts. Since they may change from time to time, it would be wise to call them up to check for requirements and conditions. Premier account holders will automatically have worldwide Premier status.

You won’t have to worry about setting up an account in London and you will be able to use your debit card upon arrival.

You won’t have to bring a large amount of your allowance (cash) when entering London

The overall application procedure would take up to a month or two. Plan ahead to get everything settled before you leave.

Opening Steps

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£60-120/month £2.50/journey within Zone 1

Opening a Bank Account (UK)

A rough estimate of an average student’s spending (excluding rents and essential initial costs) runs from depending on lifestyle.

Common banks used by students: HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, Starling, Revolut, Monzo, Lloyds etc.

Required documents: Passport, Course Con rmation letter, Proof of Visa or BRP

It may take a while for your BRP to be delivered to you. In the meantime, make sure you have su cient cash or a multi-currency debit card.

Check if the bank o ers walk-in services or by appointment only. Book an appointment with the nearest branch to your campus or accommodation promptly after your arrival. HSBC allows walk-in account opening services. 1 1 2 2 3 3

On the day of appointment, remember to get the email address of the bank sta who processed your application, in case you need to liaise with him/her subsequently.

No need to deposit a minimum sum in the bank

Local banks may have better interest rate than HSBC

Simpler procedures comparing to Hong Kong are 18 or over

The wait for the earliest appointment date ranges between a few days to a month

live in the UK for the past 3 years have proof you’ve been accepted onto a qualifying course (e.g. your 16-digit UCAS code) don’t have another student account in other banks

Survival Guide: Academics + Wellbeing

Study Tips Study Tips

The transition from high school to university can be daunting and on top of that, some of you are going abroad and learning to be independent for the rst time. As coming Imperial students, you are probably skilled at studying for your speci c subjects already. Therefore, the following are a few general tips applicable to all courses to hopefully ease your adaption to the challenging academic life at Imperial.

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Realize the importance of collaborating with coursemates

Another di erence between high school and university is that the latter has a stronger emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. Projects, lab work, and seminars may be a large part of your module assessment so it is helpful to make sure you can work well and contribute in a team. The exchange of ideas is also encouraged for some individual assignments.

(Disclaimer: Please be careful not to plagiarise and please don’t do this in assessments which collaboration is banned e.g. online exams :O )

More often than we hope, we may realize course materials our departments provide are insu cient or incomplete. Collaborating with coursemates once again comes in handy when nding resources. Taking my department, physics, as an example, examination solutions are only provided every 3 years. Physics students have then created a shared google drive for exchanging answers for those years without o cial solutions. Some courses like Chemical Engineering, Maths, and Physics also have student-created Wikis to share notes, ashcards, and resources for you to make use of.

Develop the skill to self-study

Stay humble and seek help when needed

As coming Imperial students, we may be used to being at the top of the class back in high school. If you do unfortunately get lost or overwhelmed with schoolwork at IC, it is time to put our pride away, stay humble, and ask coursemates, lecturers, or support services for help. Over time you may nd it goes a long way by learning from them and asking for guidance, instead of trying to handle everything on your own when things are getting too much.

Microsoft Teams Microsoft Teams

Communication system used within Imperial College. Some courses hold online lectures and meetings here.

Outlook Outlook

Email system used within Imperial College. Important announcements within your department and faculty are usually announced here.

Academic/Wellbeing Reps

These student representatives are elected by each degree cohort. If you have any feedback towards your department, feel free to discuss it with them and they will pass it along to departmental sta .

Hall Seniors/Wardens

As Year 1 students who live in halls of accommodation, you can talk to hall seniors, who are undergraduate students with previous experience of living in a hall of residence about life at Imperial. Apart from that, hall wardens are Imperial sta who have overall responsibility for the safety and welfare of residents. They can o er you support and advice when it is needed.

Blackboard Blackboard

It shows all your module information, including assessment rubric, reading lists; and course materials, like links to Panopto lecture videos, notes and PowerPoints. It is also where you submit your assignments and view your grades.

Celcat Celcat

It is where you check your schedule: the times and venues for your lectures, labs, tutorials etc.

Personal Tutor

Each student is assigned a personal tutor, which is an academic within your department. They are here to care for your personal, academic, and professional wellbeing. You can schedule meetings with them for any struggles you are having and they will o er you support or signpost you to one of the College’s specialist services.

Wellbeing Support Wellbeing Support

Following the above, where should you seek support if things go south? Support can be found directly within your academic department, your accommodation, or within Imperial.

Student Counselling/ Mental Health Advice Service

The service provides counselling for Imperial students for any personal issues that may a ect their wellbeing. They also o er some Life Skills workshops and online support groups. The service is free and con dential except under exceptional circumstances.

My best bits

Let’s see what Hong Kong students

Samuel Tsang

Year 2 Physics with Theoretical Physics

The interferometry laboratory was one of the best and worst times at Imperial. Armed with a made-in-Imperial motor with submicrometer accuracy, the programmer of the instrument decided to put in a trigger that stops the motor upon the slightest shaking or built-up voltage (kudos to lab technicians for designing and constructing the experiment, despite the annoying trigger). We went through a lot of pain to reach the “null point”, but the gorgeous rainbow ball resulting from the perfect interference of light beams was definitely worth the hard work!

Allis Lai

Year 1 Medicine

One of my most unforgettable memories from Year One would be volunteering with Teddy Bear Hospital every Wednesday afternoon. We visit a different primary school each week and teach year 1-2 students things like the food pyramid, the importance of exercise, and what happens in doctor's appointments to reduce white coat anxiety. You get to meet new people every time, and it is very rewarding to see the kids learn from these sessions. 10/10 recommend if you like working with kids!

Christy Wong

Year 4 Electrical and Electronic Engineering

My participation in the Call for Code Challenge is definitely an experience I would never forget. It started with a Learning a Language Project in Year 3. We collaborated with IBM on building an adventure-based educational game that teaches Italian in a fun and easy way through simulating a visit to Venice in our virtual reconstruction of the town. Not only does our game address the social problems within the education system but also the increasing carbon footprint from travelling to the world’s most iconic travel destinations.

at Imperial

students say about their Imperial life!

Vera Shek

Year 3 Aeronautical Engineering

Though not technically within Imperial, my time in the Cantonese Youth Fellowship (CYF) has made up a huge part of my memories of life at Imperial. Based in Hammersmith, many of its members are from Imperial, but at CYF I also got to meet other like-minded Christians from universities across London. It was very comforting to be surrounded by a familiar language while settling into life in London, as well as have a welcoming support system who share my faith. During weekly gatherings gatherings we enjoy games and homey meals, but in addition to the fun we also share faithrelated discussions that help us reflect on Christianity and the world around us. Regardless of how you view the Christian faith, you will surely find a home in the community and enjoy a breath away from schoolwork (and STEM) over the weekends – and if you’re a Christian, CYF is a great place to keep you growing in your faith and enjoy fellowship!

Samuel Lam

Year 4 Mathematics with a Year Abroad

As the webmaster of the Mathematics Society (MathSoc) in 2021-22, I am glad to witness the current development of the Imperial Wiki Project. Starting as a subject wiki within the Chemical Engineering department, the collegewide initiative aims to create and enhance student-led projects. With their assistance, MathSoc has developed the MathWiki, a central repository of resources made by students students and staff in response to the current curriculum changes. Students can now access updated resources and a bespoke online editor for future expansion. As I get involved in its development, I am deeply impressed by the enthusiasm of developers within the department and staff from the Imperial Wiki Project in improving students' learning experience.

As the Imperial Wiki Project transitions to a student society, they are kicking off even more exciting projects, including training for essential research skills and numerous research symposiums. So why not visit their website (https://imperialwiki.com) and the subject wikis they have developed?

The Mockingbird The Mockingbird

The Mockingbird is an a cappella group consisting of students across London universities. A cappella, meaning unaccompanied voices, is the way we harmonise – no pianos, no orchestras, just human voices. We believe every person’s voice is unique and together we can bring out a polyphony of genres of music.

Although most of our members have roots in Hong Kong, we sing in Cantonese, English, Mandarin and more! You can see us performing at different university occasions as well as in our amazing Annual Concert! Not only can you perform your favourite songs, but you can also obtain a community of singing enthusiasts.

If you are not afraid of singing in front of a large crowd, or you have talents in beatboxing and arranging songs, don’t miss the chance to join us! Applications will be opening soon and auditions will be held in October. Discover the art of a cappella and ignite your passion in singing!

Follow our Instagram (@themockingbird_london) and visit our website (https://www.mockingbirdmosing.com/) for more details!

Annual Concert

MahJong Society MahJong Society

Mahjong Society is one of the biggest Imperial societies. It has an astonishing growth in members from merely 39 in 2021 to 461 in 2022. We mainly play the Canton/Hong Kong style of Mahjong during our socials on Friday evenings. Japanese Riichi Mahjong has recently been introduced to our society with growing popularity. Our members range from complete beginners to competitive experts who participate in inter-university tournaments.

Last year, we even organized a joint-university competition alongside the Mahjong societies of LSE, QM, SOAS and UCL where the top players from each university put their skills to the test and battle for the grand prize of £200!

Wing Chun Society Wing Chun Society

If you want to find a society to do some casual exercise regularlyandmaybemeetsomenewfriends,theImperial CollegeWingChunSocietyisaperfectfitforyou!Beinga self-defencemartialart thatemergedintheGuangdong province and is greatly popularised by Bruce Lee and films like Ip Man, many students from Hong Kong have heard of Wing Chun before. If you are interested to find out more, it’s definitely worth it to give Wing Chun a try duringourregularsessionsoncampus.

Even if you’re a complete beginner, there’s nothing to worry about. Since Wing Chun focuses on speed and skill rather than size or strength, it is ideal for people of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels. Our instructor, Sifu Nick Martin from the UKWCKFA, has over 20 years of experience and an excellent teaching style. His company, Stay Safe Global, teaches self-defence to corporations aroundtheworld.

Whether you want to improve your fitness, boost your confidence, or just want to join a friendly society with a great community spirit, give Wing Chun a try during our regular sessions on campus. Come and find us at the Freshers'Fairtofindoutmore!

TRAVEL Recommendations

By Steven Chen

If you want a vacation to relax but are in the middle of the semester, Brighton is the perfect place to visit. Located in the South of England, it just takes an hour by train to reach there. It is the ideal place to go for a day trip on the weekend. My friends and I went to Brighton for 2 days, but I reckon that a day trip is enoughformostpeople.

Brighton Palace Pier

Brighton Palace Pier is a 1722ft long dock at the Brighton beach. It is like a small theme park with rollercoasters and arcades. You could buy a wristband which grants you unlimited access to all rides, but for us, we were not that extreme so we just bought individual tickets for each ride. For newcomers, I recommend saving Waltzers for your last ride. It has a circular seat which fits 4 people and it orbits the centre via a circular track while spinning your 4-seated cart. It made us so dizzy we almost vomited.Afterthat,wecouldnotdoanotherride.

Regency Restaurant

It is the perfect place to have dinner if you like eating seafood. Located just along Brighton beach, you could have a nice meal while enjoying the views of the shoreline. I highly recommend having the £55.95 Cold Shellfish Platter which has oysters, lobsters, shrimps and more. It is a fantastic deal if 4 peoplearesharingit.

CK Bistro 棋哥

My friends from Brighton recommended me this restaurant. They got quite authentic Hong Kong cuisines. If you feel a bit homesick for Hong Kong food,itistheperfectplacetogoforlunch.

By Lavender Foo

For the Beatles and football fans out there, Liverpool is the perfect place to visit. Located in Northwest England, this maritimecityonlytakesaround2hourstoreachbytrainfrom London. On a bright sunny day during Easter, I decided to ditch exam revision for a day and embarked on a one-day journeytoseewhatLiverpoolisallabout.

The Cavern Club

As soon as I got off the train, I headed off to the Cavern Club, the underground club that served as the birthplace for the Beatles. Many legendary musicians like Elton John and The Rolling Stones have also set foot here. Upon descending the stairs, the live cover of “Here Comes the Sun” immediately caught my ear. The relaxing blue lights and friendly atmosphere gave the club a chill and jazzy vibe. You could have a glimpse at the history and old photographs oftheBeatleswhileenjoyingthevibrantmusic.

The Beatles Story

I then wandered along the coast to the famous museum – The Beatles Story. With just £14, I got a 2-hour guided audio tour of the full history of the Beatles. Despite being just a casual listener of the band, it was really eye-opening to see how the 4 members transformed from ordinary teenagers to worldfamous music icons. Apart from that, the museum houses recreations of Abbey Road Studios and the Cavern Club, and original musical instruments used by the band, like John Lennon’spianoandRingoStarr’sdrumkit.

Liverpool Cathedral

ThenextandfinalspotofthedayisLiverpoolCathedral,whichis actuallythelargestcathedralintheUKandisfreetoenter.After admiring the stylish stained glass and Gothic architecture, I didn’t miss the chance to try out a traditional Liverpool dish, Scouse, at a restaurant inside the cathedral. It’s made of beef stew complemented with potatoes, carrots, and bread. However, itwasabitblandformytaste.

I wish I could’ve stayed in Liverpool longer to visit Liverpool FC’s stadium, Anfield. Nevertheless, Liverpool is one of the cities in Britain worth exploring whether or notyou’readiehardBeatlesorfootballfan.

Manchester

163 miles away

By Louis Tang

Manchester is the second largest city by urban area in the UnitedKingdom.Thiscityenjoysaproudphilanthropictradition.

The John Rylands library

Perhaps the city’s greatest was in couture islands whose gift to the city was the John Rylands library, dedicated to Manchester’s largest textile magnate in the ten years it took to create the neo-gothic masterpiece.

The Museum of Science and Industry

At the world’s oldest surviving railway station, you will find the Museum of Science and Industry. In the museum’s power Hall, feel the heat and steam that powered the shafts and wheels which once made Manchester the Empire’s engine room from textile loos to locally produced aircraft. Most fascinating of them all, inside of the Air and Space Gallery lies a Fly260 flight simulator which allows the visitors to ‘fly’ with 360 degrees of rotation in two separate axes of motion. It gets your adrenaline flowing by performing your own aerobaticdisplaysandbarrelrolls.

Castlefield Urban Heritage Park

Castlefield Urban Heritage Park is a peaceful retreat from the busy and bustling city streets. This place also consists of a well-known pub known as the wharf that offers a variety of beers and some local scrumptious food. Offering creative British and modern cuisine, Mana is Manchester’s only Michelin-starred restaurant. Spanish restaurantElGatoNegrohasaMichelinBibGourmand.

By Steven Chen

Just finished a semester and want to reward yourself, or want to travel with your special someone? Being called the City of Romance,Parisisafantasticplacetovisitforanice4-7days Europe trip. I went there for 7 days at the end of the summer termwithmygirlfriendandoverallitwasagreattrip.

Sacré-Cœur

Located at the top of a hill in Central Paris, Sacré-Cœur is a famous Catholic church there. Entry is free and you don’t have to book anything. You can reach there by taking a cable car to the top of the hill (Don't take the stairs to the top like me). You can have an amazing view of the whole of Central Paris and in thesummerthereareusuallystreetlivemusicperformers.

Paris Disneyland

Two words, INFINITE HAPPINESS. You have probably been to Hong Kong Disneyland before, but don’t let that stop you from visiting the Paris counterpart. There are some special rides you definitely need to visit, for example, the Tower of Terror, you don’t want to miss it. I was there when it is the 30th Anniversary of Paris Disneyland, therefore they got a special spectacular drone light choreography after the night firework show. They even put a mickey mouse/ 30 symbol beside the castle. Just make sure you download their app to monitor the queue time of each ride and don’t hesitatetobuyfastpassesifthequeueistoolong.

Food Recommendations

Pedra Alta

Go there if you are a seafood lover. Each platter is served with a pot of risotto and a huge pile of small fries so you only have to order a platter to be full.

Cataplana de la Mer (Small)

les Cocottes

Micheline star chef restaurant, welcoming staff and good food.

Lobster ravioli ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Slow-Braised Beef ⭐⭐⭐

Black squid sauce risotto ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Buy 7 days travel card if you are staying there for 7 days or more.

If you are using VOXI you can just buy an extra Europe roaming package.

Buy Museum Pass only if you are sure that you are gonna visit all of the museums. Buy every ticket from Klook or other similar websites to get the cheapest price.