Student
Services
Christmas in London
Christmas can be a very exciting and busy time but it can also be
lonely and isolating, depending on your circumstances. If you are
an international student unable to return home for the holidays
you may feel lost in the Capital or want some ideas of what to do in
order to take some time out during the break. Other students may
be very accustomed to life in London but find that they are alone this
Christmas and want some options.
This guide is a summary of what is going on in London, alternative
options for Christmas day and where to find more information or
support if you need help during the holidays.
We wish you a happy and safe Christmas and look forward to
supporting you through your studies in 2016. Please note King’s
Student Services are open until 3pm 23rd December
Address: Student Services, Floor –1, Macadam Building, Strand Campus
Tel: 020 7848 7017/7018/7019
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.kcl.ac.uk/studentservices
Experience a traditional British Christmas party!
Each year International Students House holds a traditional British
Christmas party with all the trimmings on Christmas Day, including
Christmas Dinner, party games and a walk in Regents Park. You will
need to book in advance and pay a small fee to attend this event.
For more information, visit www.ish.org.uk
Spend Christmas in the Highlands!
Our friends at Haggis Adventures run a choice of trips to the Scottish
Highlands ranging from 3-5 days which include tours, parties and a
proper Christmas dinner. If you’re looking to go away for New Year you
can join in traditional Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh on one of
their tailor-made tours. For more information, visit
www.haggisadventures.com
Christmas in London…
There are all sorts of events in London before, during and after
Christmas including concerts, carol services, markets, Hyde Park’s
Winter Wonderland, and funfairs, many of which are free! Or why not
go ice skating, or go to the pantomime? Time Out is another great place to find out what’s going on when
throughout the holiday season www.timeout.com/london/christmas
KCLSU’s ‘Unlocking London programme’ includes some fabulous
events. For more details, visit www.kclsu.org
… or in Europe?
There are Christmas markets, special activities and festivals all over
Europe between November and January, many of which are accessible by
the Eurostar (including the Christmas Markets in Lille and Brussels) or
less than a 2-hour flight away. For more information, visit www.ish.org.
uk
If you’re an overseas student, make sure you read our pages on travelling
outside the UK and obtain a confirmation of study letter from The
Compass before you go: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/services/
student-advice-support/how/immigration/travel.aspx
Carol Services
There are carol services and carol concerts all over London during the
Christmas period, as well as carol services in the beautiful chapels on
our Guy’s and Strand campuses and carol sing-alongs with mince pies!
See our Chaplaincy webpages for details or join the Facebook page:
https://facebook.com/kclchaplaincy
If you’re living on or near the Guy’s campus, you might want to go to
Midnight Mass (11.30pm, Christmas Eve) or to the Christmas Day Mass
at 11am at Southwark Cathedral. For more information, visit
http://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/
Are you estranged from your family?
Some people who are not spending Christmas with their family,
celebrate with a group of friends or their friend’s family. If you don’t feel
this is for you, perhaps you would like to volunteer with other people
who are also spending Christmas in a different way. Should you decide
to stay on your own, make sure you tell a friend or a person you are
close to, in case you need them. For more information, visit:
http://standalone.org.uk/guides/festive-guide/
Volunteer!
There are lots of opportunities to volunteer over Christmas which can
be really rewarding. This might involve working with homeless people,
older people or at special events. Have a look at TimeBank’s website for
more details: http://timebank.org.uk/christmas-volunteering
Go on a London walk...
...and explore a new part of London with a group or follow a self-guided
walk. For ideas, check out www.walks.com or
http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/london-tours/
Living in a Residence?
Check with your RLA or Warden who else is staying in your residence
over the holidays. Some students choose to club together and make a
communal Christmas meal rather than go out, this can be a lot of fun
and much cheaper and an opportunity to make new friends.
If you require help and support while the university is closed please
refer to our website for a full list of alternative services
www.kcl.ac.uk/studentservices
Key telephone contacts are listed below if you do not have access to the
internet:
Money Advice
Turn 2 Us 0808 802 2000
National Debtline 0808 808 4000
Housing Advice
Shelter 0808 800 4444
Consumer Advice
Citizen’s Advice Consumer helpline: 03454 04 05 06
Counselling and Support
The Samaritans Freephone 116 123
King’s Chaplaincy Service contact university switchboard for duty
chaplain 020 7836 5454
If you prefer Social Media why not #joinin with Comedian Sarah
Millican’s Twitter conversation which gets people who are otherwise
alone talking over Christmas, full details and history are here:
http://standardissuemagazine.com/lifestyle/lonely-christmas/
Similarly, If you would like to share your ideas or reach out to fellow
students we have a number of Facebook Groups you can use:
https://www.facebook.com/kingsinternationalstudentsupport/
https://www.facebook.com/kingsmoneyadvice/
https://www.facebook.com/KCLPrivateHousing/
https://www.facebook.com/BeActiveprogramme