This is such a friendly and collaborative university and environment
for research and study
Cambridge is... a really unique place
especially coming from the United States
The College system is supportive and it allows you to be a really independent
student and academic and researcher
I chose Cambridge because
of the really unique way it kind of merges
just excellence in research
and this amazing academic environment
with an amazing opportunity
for things outside of academics
for personal growth facilitated through the College
Making connections with people from every discipline imaginable
and from so many different countries
I think that's just such a fantastic reason to choose Cambridge
I also think that Cambridge is a really inspiring place to be
You're surrounded by incredible academics
incredibly intelligent students
and really forward thinkers
and it really motivates you to be
the best researcher or student
that you can be
As a physicist
Cambridge is kind of–
such a big part of physics
and it was an amazing opportunity to be part of that story of physics
You know, instead of feeling any imposter syndrome
I felt like, you know
I have multiple communities at Cambridge
that feel more like a family than anything competitive
I was very fortunate to find a scholarship opportunity
that was available and open to international students
and that was interested in funding
a particular opportunity within play, education and medicine
and it was right at the intersection of what I wanted to do
And once those things were identified and there was a mutual interest expressed
I knew I had to come here
A lot of students in other countries
and definitely like the US, which is my home
don't realize there are so many funding opportunities
meant specifically to foster exchange
between our home countries and the UK
Even during the pandemic
I feel like I am able to experience
a lot of the academic excellence and enthusiasm offered by Cambridge
Their organisation and their ability to support students
I think make it one of the best places to do research
even during this really uncertain time
I think Cambridge is an incredibly supportive community
even coming in as an adult
I think always entering into a university system
and getting re-acclimated to academia
you need support in areas you may never have recognized that you needed it before
So the college system offers you pastoral support
and life support when things come up
and when you need it. And the faculty really allows you to be supported in terms of your studies
supervision and the academic board around you which is really really critical as you're
studying and working so hard
One of the reasons I'm so happy at Cambridge is that
my College feels like a second home to me
I think coming from the US especially–
coming to Cambridge is just an amazing experience
Because you're not just a researcher
you're immersed in this amazing culture of Cambridge
and the amazing traditions here
You know, going to formal halls with my friends at different Colleges
Cycling every day gives me so much joy
to be around these beautiful gorgeous buildings
I think when you're looking online
and you're looking at images
kind of stereotypical images of Cambridge
you see some of the more well-known Colleges
and some of the more well-known areas
Going around and seeing places where Isaac Newton was
and places where historical figures have studied
has been awe-inspiring
and it's something that you don't necessarily grasp from pictures.
to walk around and be in those spaces and be in small cobblestone walkways...
It's really kind of magical to be here
This has been probably the best year of my life
and I think it might be the best of yours too