Editor’s letter
This issue asks a simple but difficult question: How do we live with intention and find meaning when our time in a place is temporary?
For many of us living in London, life exists in a suspended state. We are no longer passing through as tourists, yet we hesitate to call ourselves locals. We build routines and friendships, fully aware that our presence is transient.
This is the space Interlude occupies. We explore the art of the in-between – the pause between arriving and moving on.
For our debut issue, we turn to the River Thames as our guiding metaphor. The river belongs to no single borough, yet it connects them all, carrying fragments of the past into the future. Just as the water continuously shapes the city it cuts through, temporary residents possess own kind of flow: we arrive, we adapt, we leave our mark, and eventually, we drift forward.
In the following pages, we navigate the harsh realities and quieter beauties of this flow – from how 2026’s immigration and housing policies shape who gets to stay in London, to the unexpected brotherhoods in the stands of Chelsea FC. We explore the city’s obsession with second-hand clothing, and reflect on how life in London reshapes who we are. Finally, we ask what it means to carry the weight of home across the water, in a single suitcase.
Whether you are just trying to integrate into the system, seeking a space to inhabit, or reflecting on the deep traces this city will inevitably leave upon you – welcome to the pause.
Welcome to Interlude.
Joanna Chan
Editor
Meet the team
Joanna Chan: Editor, Production & Visual editor, and Photo Editor
| I’m Joanna, a 25-year-old from Hong Kong. Living in London for four years has opened me up to new experiences and challenges that I never imagined. Through these moments, and the people I’ve met along the way, my life has taken on new layers of meaning. |
Malachi Grant: Sub editor
| I’m Malachi, a 21-year-old from the UK. Living in London all my life has shaped me in countless ways, from the way I speak to how I socialise and interact with others. Being surrounded by so many cultures, perspectives and personalities has made me more adaptable, open-minded and aware of different experiences, ultimately influencing both my identity and everyday behaviour. |
Georg Find: Website Coordinator
| I’m Georg, a 20-year-old German-Hong Konger. The past 3 years living in London exposed me to diverse cultures different to my own, as well as allowed me grow as a person and figure out more about myself. |
JiaYi Wan: Social Media (Visual)
| I’m JiaYi, a 20-year-old international student from China. Life in London has fostered greater independence within me. Discovering that many matters require personal consideration and execution has simultaneously enriched my existence with greater diversity. |
Anson Fung: Social Media (Copy)
| I’m Anson, a 20-year-old student from Hong Kong. Living in London for 3 years has changed the way I spend my time. The fast paced city has made me more conscious of what I do during the day and whether the time I use on the activity is well spent or not. |
Rocio Cerqueiro Canabal: Social Media (Copy)
I’m Ro, a 21-year-old student from Spain. Over the past four years, London has fundamentally sharpened my editorial eye. The city’s juxtaposition of rich heritage and modern chaos taught me to seek out hidden stories. It transformed me into a journalist who deeply values cultural depth, archival memory, and deliberate design.
