A Challenging, but Rewarding, Experience at Cambridge Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/12/2014 to 06/20/2014 with

University of Cambridge, Pembroke College: Cambridge - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I would only recommend this program to students who really understand the demands that will be asked of them. My courses were very thought-provoking and enjoyable, but they did consume the majority of my time abroad. Luckily, Cambridge has a very long spring break (4-5 weeks), when I was able to travel and have more of a traditional study abroad experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

A semester at Pembroke is incredibly rigorous, but can be exceptionally rewarding. The best thing about the academic system is that students study material in one-on-one supervisions with professors. However, because the supervisions make up so much of your experience abroad, it is important that you choose topics you are passionate about and that you want to devote all of your time to.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

While I did not have healthcare issues while at Pembroke and cannot speak from personal experience, a few of my friends were disappointed by the treatment they received.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Academics
  • Travel Break
* What could be improved?
  • Communication from International Programme Office
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it is necessary to be very proactive about the academics.