From Strangers to True Friends: The Magic of LSE Summer School

Hello everyone! I'd like to share my perspective of meeting new people at LSE Summer School. Besides being an incredibly informative academic experience, it allowed me to forge wonderful and lasting friendships, something I never thought possible in such a short amount of time. When I first arrived in London, I only knew one friend from university who was also attending Summer School, and I and wasn’t sure what to expect. I had doubts about whether I would be able to make new friends, and I wondered how difficult it might be to connect with others. But from the very first day, I realised there was something truly unique in the atmosphere at LSE Summer School: everyone was eager to make friends, meet new people, and expand their social circles. Literally, any situation became a great opportunity to strike up a conversation with a stranger, and before long, I felt right at home. If you decide to take part in this experience, you’ll definitely understand what I’m talking about!

Before I could even process it, I found myself surrounded by so many incredible people from all over the world, each with different cultural backgrounds, yet all sharing the same energy, enthusiasm, and desire to make the most of this adventure together. What makes these friendships even more enriching is the diversity that characterises each person. It's incredibly stimulating to meet people from other countries, allowing you to learn about new cultures, traditions, and different ways of life. These new friendships become such a significant part of the experience that they make it all the more memorable.

Every occasion became an opportunity to spend time together: lunch breaks, Spark events, spontaneous city outings, nights at the club, or even studying. Studying, which can sometimes feel isolating, became enjoyable because we were always together, working side by side. I still remember all the events we experienced as a group, like the unforgettable Boat Party. I had met so many people by then that I didn’t even know who to hang out with first! The atmosphere was so lively, and I had so much fun that time flew by in an instant. Another highlight was watching the Euro’s football matches together at the local pub. Those moments, filled with laughter and excitement, made my time at LSE even more special. Trust me, on campus and around the university, you’ll never feel alone or lost. Instead, you'll feel like you're part of a vibrant and welcoming community, where a strong sense of belonging brings everyone together.

My advice for getting the most out of the experience is to attend your classes and study, but don’t forget the social aspect of Summer School. Embrace everything that the city and the people have to offer. The balance between academic and social life is essential, and London has so much to provide in both areas. Don’t worry if you don’t know anyone at first or if you’re shy. Making new friends will be incredibly easy because everyone else is in the same situation and just as eager to connect and build new relationships. I stayed in an apartment off-campus, so even if you don’t choose to live in LSE accommodation, you’ll still have countless opportunities on campus to meet new people and join in on the fun, through both classes and the social events. Participate in events, don’t hesitate to start a conversation with a fellow student, make use of the WhatsApp groups or the Unibuddy app, and you’ll see that making friends has never been so simple, so exciting, and so rewarding.

The only downside to all of this is saying goodbye to your new friends at the end of the experience. I still remember the Leaving Party—I felt quite emotional thinking that this fantastic journey was coming to an end. However, I was also incredibly grateful for all the wonderful people I had met and the unforgettable memories we created together.

 

This blog was written by one of our 2024 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the Summer School experience at LSE.