My Exchange at The University of Cambridge – Law
The opportunity to study abroad is amazing enough, but the opportunity to study at the University of Cambridge was, and still remains, an absolutely mind-boggling one.
As soon as I arrived, I was hit with the Hogwarts-esque aesthetics of the city: old, grand buildings everywhere, the prevalence of bikers, cobblestone roads and dinging church bells which echo throughout the city.
I should note that much of your Cambridge experience will depend and vary based on which College you are a member of. Each college has its own ‘personality’ in terms of friendliness, food quality, amenities and more so bear this in mind when reading my experience!
My college was one of the farthest (and ‘youngest’) ones, so be prepared for the fact that whilst the vast majority of colleges are extremely central, allowing a 5-10 minute bike or walk to everything, colleges such as Homerton (where I stayed) were considered rather far away (though still no more than a 20-minute bike away from just about anything). Being at a college like Homerton also means you get to stay away from the tourists who, especially during weekends, certainly clog up the area and can make it quite difficult to bike through the city and nearly impossible to get a table at your favourite cafe. I attended some of the orientation activities with the other ‘freshers’ (who are all 18) but would recommend that you email your college Tutor (pastoral carer) and ask to have access to the postgraduate events and facilities if you are an older student like me (24 when I arrived).
Accommodation varies greatly by college as well, but you will always have a bed, desk, shared kitchen and other basics. I was happy enough with my small room and you get used to a single bed very quickly!
Another important thing to note, in my opinion, is that this particular host university is more of an academic choice – that is, while students often pick exchanges for the experience, fun time abroad, immersive language-learning opportunity or other personal developments, I should stress that Cambridge itself is not a particularly exhilarating or ‘fun’ city, particularly with regards to night life (the population is also quite small). I chose to attend Cambridge because of the exceptional learning environment, which was reflected in my time spent there. That isn’t to say that the exchange is not fun – I still spent much time travelling around (as you would easily and cheaply be able to in Europe) and enjoyed myself, but just be aware that the city itself is rather quiet!
That brings me to my academic experience. Lectures are rather similar to UoA, so don’t be intimidated! I found that the level of difficulty of content was exactly the same if not slightly easier (particularly as their law degrees are only three years long and therefore aimed at students with less experience than you may have). The more challenging aspect, but the most exciting one, are the supervisions. Every second week, you have an opportunity to sit with your supervisor for the paper (often a lecturer themselves, who are usually top experts in their field!) with (typically) 1-3 other students for an hour, test your knowledge and answer questions (much like UoA’s tutorials, but with much greater liberty to steer the supervision in whichever direction you like). Most times, these were spent the intended way – going through the questions and fleshing out your attempted answers. However, there were times where most of the hour was spent having a lively debate with the supervisor and other student(s). I cannot stress enough how much of a privilege that was and would be for you.
You are required to take 5 full papers or 4 full papers + 2 half papers. I took the latter option, and would recommend the variety as half papers are smaller in size and therefore involve more discussion during class time (though this comes at the cost of supervisions). 100% of your grade comes from the end of year exam, but again believe me when I say the University is not much, if at all, more difficult than ours! A common joke I would hear is that it is nearly impossible to fail as long as you write ‘something vaguely legal’ – this means you can focus on getting your desired grade (if you have one) without any doom & gloom worry!
Do, however, be prepared to spend a rather large amount financially. Accomodation alone is quite expensive – at the cheaper end around $350 NZD per week. Additionally, there aren’t any supermarkets close by so you will most likely be shopping from the smaller and more expensive express stores or ‘corner shops’ (somewhat like a dairy but with a fuller range – they have everything you need and are everywhere). Food is not included in your accomodation (though it is available, just a bit expensive so often not worth it if you have the time) and most colleges don’t have ovens or freezers, so be prepared to cook and eat fewer elaborate meals.
There is always something to do or a club or group to join in Cambridge. Make sure to attend the Freshers Fair at the start of the year and join up! It is a great way to make friends and keep yourself busy and happy.
Overall, the experience was truly incredible. I cannot recommend it enough, so please do take the opportunity if it comes your way!
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
Most certainly the supervisions. Having the opportunity to spend an hour speaking with an expert in the field and a few other students was incredible. I looked forward to those each and every week and learned a great deal which truly helped cement my learning from the lectures and readings. There were also bonus revision supervisions which helped answer last-minute questions so that I was supported right up until each exam.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
Punting! An activity that was invented in England, there is no better way to spend a sunny day in Cambridge than floating along the river and taking in the gorgeous city and its architecture. You will pass by and under the most famous buildings and bridges while doing so.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
- Choose your battles! The reading lists for both supervisions and lectures can seem overwhelming, but it is generally accepted as a fact that students will not get through everything. Focus on the topics that interest you the most as this will also help in being able to confidently select which questions you wish to attempt in the exam.
- Get involved! Join clubs (of which there are an almost overwhelming number, so you will find your people), attend formals at other colleges (some people challenge themselves to attend one at every college which they thoroughly enjoyed) and take advantage of the many exciting opportunities to be a part of various committees, organise talks and events and so forth.
- Budget carefully. While this may seem obvious, it is surprising how quickly you can burn through your cushion if you’re trying to constantly be doing something. Food is rather expensive in Cambridge, even if you’re mostly cooking, and travelling during the breaks may leave you with less than intended for the term. Make sure you carefully plan these things out, and I would heavily advise you try to work before leaving to Cambridge so that you are able to spend more freely and without causing yourself too much stress.
How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?
I have worked since I was 16 so had saved up a fair amount. I was also lucky enough to get some funding from 360 International (be sure to apply to other Awards if you are eligible) and to receive student allowance during the exchange. All up I budgeted about $40,000NZD and believe I spent closer to $30,000. During the breaks, I found that I could stay in hostels abroad for cheaper than paying rent at my college accommodation, so I would highly recommend this as a way to help your budget and to use it as an excuse to do some travel. On that note, I also booked the cheapest flights (often around $70NZD) which often meant flying at inconvenient times but is definitely worth it. My biggest tip would be to cook for yourself, from raw ingredients rather than pre-prepared meals, as much as possible. Food, especially if eating out and buying coffee, can eat up a massive portion of your budget. Also, don’t fall for the meal deals! They are great when on the go and in a pinch but really aren’t worth what you’re paying.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
One of the biggest (and cheesiest) things that I left with after the exchange was a newfound appreciation for the opportunities that have led me to where I am now and for education itself. As a seventh-year uni student, I was feeling quite ready to get out into the working world. The exchange further delayed my graduation, as I could have been done about a year earlier otherwise. However, I would not have missed it for anything and have no regrets. It really is a fantastic opportunity and one which I will remember for the rest of my life.
On a more personal note, I also learned a lot about how to be alone. Particularly when travelling during term time, you can feel quite isolated and far away from the comforts of home. I learned to enjoy time alone more, picked up more hobbies and also got surprisingly good at striking up conversations and making friends with complete strangers in hostels or out and about. It may seem a bit nerve wracking but it’s all part of the experience!
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
Although it was my most expensive trip I would highly recommend Iceland. You can drive around the whole thing in about a week, and seeing the aurora borealis was absolutely surreal!
I also visited Copenhagen which is a beautiful but also expensive city.
If you’re looking to budget, you have tons of other options available to you. Some friends did Morocco, for example, whereas I also visited Turkey and Ireland. Find out what you enjoy when travelling and make your way around, it is so cheap once you’re in England and absolutely worth the time, but pack light!