London

ForeignStudents.com's David describes his trip to watch concert pianist Lang Lang at the Royal Albert Hall last night: 

"Last night I was lucky enough to be treated (for my birthday) to a performance by the world famous concert pianist Lang Lang, at the Royal Albert Hall.

Considered the ‘hottest artist on the classical music planet' by the New York Times, the gifted 29-year-old Chinese Lang Lang (below) performed his Beethoven Piano Concerto with phenomenal technique, coupled with the magic of the Royal Albert Hall. A visit to the Hall, which was built in 1871, is an experience I highly recommend to all students, whether studying in London or elsewhere in the UK.

The Royal Albert Hall is situated in South Kensington and is surrounded not only by museums but all sorts of institutions of learning. So, for those students who are fortunate enough to be studying nearby, make sure you book a ticket for one of the many concerts or shows coming up.

I left the Seychelles feeling like a big fish in a small pond, and now I feel like a small fish in the sea. Studying abroad has made me independent, open minded but most of all, looking at the competition out there, more hard working than ever.

As exams approach, I think of the end when I can hopefully call myself a law graduate. The usual reaction to the title can be depicted with a picture of a lawyer turning a man upside down and shaking him to empty his pockets of every penny. Nonetheless, the majority seem impressed.

I'm often asked legal advice from friends. For example, a short anecdote of a friend who gives me an urgent call for legal advice: "If I were to take my Xbox to university and sat down playing, could I be criminally liable for anything?". And so I answered, "yes, extracting electricity unlawfully". I certainly should have taken insurance before giving out legal advice as a first year, but giving free legal advice becomes the norm as a law student.

Where do you think the best city to study is? Are certain places a student's paradise and others a student's hell? Well, a new survey hoping to answer those questions has placed London as the second best city in the world for students. Only Paris beat the UK capital after cities were judged on affordability, quality of life and the number and reputation of their universities.

Higher Education organisation QS carried out the survey predominantly with international students in mind, with hundreds of thousands currently considering where to study. Over 500 cities were considered, with anywhere with a population of over 250,000 and at least two universities qualifying.

The sheer number of London's top quality universities (think Imperial, UCL, King's, SOAS) gave it the edge over Paris, but the city was let down by being far more expensive than the French capital. Whilst international students in London will expect to pay up to £20,000 each year in tuition fees, that figure drops to just £1,000 at Paris universities. Ben Sowter, the lead researcher, explained:

Tributes are being paid to the life and work of Charles Dickens on the 200th anniversary of the birth of the celebrated British author.

Today the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will lay wreaths paying tribute to a British icon who captured a nation through his gripping literature.

Dickens' novels characterise 19th century industrial Britain, with close attention to the inner workings of Victorian society and city life. Up until the present day, his books are read by audiences from around the world.

Born into a modest family on February 7th 1812, Charles was noted to have a passion for reading and a photographic memory, later in 1814, his family moved to London where he had ample opportunity to brush shoulders with everyday folk whose lives would become echoed within his novels.

The true extent of his success as a literary figure can be observed by the way in which his novels have become household names; Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, A Tale of Two Cities, David Copperfield and Great Expectations to name a few!

On December 31st, billions of people across the world celebrated the end of 2011 and the start of 2012, with fireworks, balloons and even grape eating.

In the UK, thousands of street parties were held up and down the country. The biggest by far was held in London where 250,000 people gathered along the River Thames to watch a massive firework display at the London Eye. Triggered by the Big Ben bell striking midnight, the 11 minute display had an amazing 12,000 fireworks. It had an Olympic theme, and mayor Boris Johnson enthused: "Our New Year fireworks were a brilliant start to a spectacular year. This is just the beginning - as the eyes of the world turn to London for the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, also saw tens of thousands of revellers turn out for the city's historic and world famous Hogmanay street party. As 5.5 tonnes of fireworks lit up the night sky, more than 20 music acts performed to the crowds over seven stages.