Hi!

My name is Martina, I am a flute player from the Czech Republic. I completed my classical
undergrad at Guildhall a few years ago and am currently pursuing a jazz Master’s there. So
next year will be my 5th in London!
Despite all these years, London still feels new every time I come back – I can never be done
exploring this rich city and all it has to offer. Guildhall community is very welcoming, so even
if you are moving to London for the first time, you will soon make new friends amongst your
classmates. Don’t miss the International Student Orientation events in September.

You might be slightly worried about all the things you may need to do as part of the transition.
You should know that all you really need to do before arriving is secure your funding and a
flight! Perhaps the most daunting task is finding accommodation, particularly if you cannot
stay at Sundial Court. Don’t despair – it is always possible to find a temporary sublet and go
looking for a long-term home in person. Similarly, ordering a UK sim card or setting up a UK
bank account will be very easy once you are here.

You will find that London is an exciting city to explore. I would encourage you to take time off
your study commitments every now and again, so you can discover the wonderful parks and
artsy neighbourhoods, cuisines and music from all around the world, gigs, concerts, shows...
The Barbican is located just steps away from Shoreditch, where you can find many venues
with cool events. London is so culturally diverse, you should really take the opportunity to
experience the things your home town may not offer. Outside of music I am a passionate swing
dancer, so if any of you are interested in going to a swing social or finding classes, give me a
shout!

I would be really happy to chat about any of your concerns or answer your questions. You can
email me at mmihulkova@gmail.com – also feel free to just say hi and introduce yourself
before term starts!

Have a restful summer. Looking forward to meeting you in September!

All the best
Martina