SOAS - Student View

It's in Russell Square not far from Holborn. London is an extremely bustling and energetic city; it's easily comparable to a typical Moroccan street market and the variety and complexity of choices and opportunities is amazing. Within a mile you will find something for every taste.

In food terms, for example, you will find Asian, African, Italian. Arabic, Chinese and Japanese in small, cosy corner cafes and restaurants. And you are not far from the British Museum, shopping areas like Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road, and the underground world of Goths and alternative music in Camden Town.

Majority of students live in one of the many nearby halls of residences. 'Living' is perhaps the most educational part of getting a degree, particularly in London. You can live in an intercollegiate hall of residence with people from all over London University, or in ones only for SOAS students. SOAS halls are self-catered and all rooms have an ensuite bathroom; they are vibrant and intense places to live. In catered intercollegiate halls you live in corridors and eat dinner and breakfast communally. Besides all this you can rent private accommodation. which means you will have to deal with landlords and broken washing machines yourself. Prices nearby are very competitive.

Social life is extraordinary. The SOAS Bar is both a miseducation and an education - it is second to the library as a resource for information, political debate, colour and passionate conversation. The effects hold you back from lectures and reading but the SOAS Bar is indisputably the social centre of the galaxy; the heart of SOAS entertainments is open mike nights - full of spontaneity, vibrancy and surprise - ranging from music, dance and poetry to story telling.

Guest musicians come from obscure corners of the globe to perform. The mixed aged crowd is positively anti-ageist and enriching and host the best Arabic parties in London (featuring live acts from throughout the Middle East). Very active, very political SU: occupations, demonstrations and walk-outs against the war on Iraq.