Great Travel and Cultural Experience, Mediocre College Experience Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The University of Cambridge Pembroke College Spring Semester Programme reduced the number of papers (courses) that the visiting students take across both terms. The university system works on a trimester term system and the spring allows visiting students to experience two terms. Normally, full-year Cambridge students take 3-4 papers for the full year across the three terms. However, this programme only allowed us to take one paper per term. While condensed, it was not enough course-work and the Pembroke international office would not allow the option to take on another paper. But, it also really depends on the supervisor you get for the term as they could either be extremely rigorous with essays/p-sets every week or chill with a few assignments here and there.

On-site administration of your program

I don't know what they really do. I don't see them often. I would say that their first-week orientation was really nice and very detailed. However, I would say that they are kind of stingy. The 2 field trips they hosted (and suggested we try the local afternoon teas there) did not cover food.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was great, especially in the Bateman Appartments! The housekeepers were very nice and cleaned the rooms once a week, the kitchen twice a week, and the bathrooms every-day.

Food was great. Pembroke College had some of the best food among all the colleges in Cambridge!!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It's really what you make of it. I made great friends amongst the other visiting student.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A but it seemed accessible... except on Sundays.

VERY SAFE

Cambridge was a great city - lots of restaurants, clubs, activities, and people etc. Social life with the local students is really what you make of it. Initially, it's a bit difficult because lectures are optional and in big lecture halls, where not a lot of interaction happens. However, once you start talking to people and do enough digging on facebook for clubs, its much easier to socialize with the local students. It's a beautiful town full of character and it's really easy to get to London Center and Stansted Airport. One point: the academics weren't as rigorous as Wellesley (granted it is a study abroad but you'd expect Cambridge - a world-class university - to be rigorous... especially with the 3.8 GPA requirement... which you don't need to be successful here)

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

In general, the UK is expensive. The food at the college dining hall was relatively well priced.

Select all that apply

• Hostel

Select all that apply

• Americans

Select all that apply

• Local Students

• Formal Halls!
• Traveling!

• Pembroke College's Study Abroad Office Field Trips
• Academics