Studying in Europe has been a dream of mine since high school, so when I learned about Caltech’s exchange program, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
When I first arrived at Cambridge, I felt like a first year again. From attending back-to-back welcome week activities to embodying the “say yes to everything” mindset, settling in felt eerily similar to at Caltech. Cambridge is organized into 31 colleges – residential communities that Caltech’s houses are based off of – so it was easy to build community (albeit the colleges are much much bigger). I was placed in St John’s College, which is about the same size as the entire Caltech student population, and I could not have loved it more.
The colleges are set up so that if you meet someone in your college, you will probably run into them again (one of my favorite aspects about both Cambridge and Caltech). This could be in the college library, dining hall, college bar, or at one of the many student-organized events. Each college also has it’s own set of societies in addition to the university-wide clubs. I decided to join the John’s rowing team, and it was one of the best decisions I made while abroad. Although it meant getting up at 7 AM for morning outings, nothing beat watching the sunrise on the water and the camaraderie formed with the rest of my boat.
Academically, Cambridge has a very different rhythm than Caltech. Instead of weekly problem sets, classwork is assigned through supervisions — small group sessions with two or three students and an instructor (typically a grad student). These supervisions happen every two weeks, and they are one of the defining features of the Cambridge experience. Unlike at Caltech, the work isn’t graded – I was given exercises and encouraged to complete as much as I could and bring questions about the rest. While Cambridge students eventually take exams at the end of the year, exchange students are instead evaluated on effort and interest. This more relaxed approach was very refreshing because it felt like I could focus purely on learning without other pressures.
Moving out of the country for three months was about much more than academics, though. Living in a different country pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best possible way. Caltech’s small size is one of it’s greatest strengths, but it is also one of its most limiting factors. From figuring out daily life in a new place to meeting students from around the world, every day brought opportunities for personal growth. I befriended students who were studying subjects like modern and medieval languages or geography, and I found goofy peers to do cartwheels with in the computer science building. If I wanted to find a community for x interest, it was easily found with just a little effort.
The setting itself was magical – meandering down cobblestone streets, passing charming bakeries and sprawling meadows on my way to class, and jogging along the River Cam. These simple moments became cherished experiences I’ll deeply miss. Cambridge’s location was also perfect for exploration, being just 45 minutes from London by train. I loved taking day trips to wander through museums, discover diverse neighborhoods, and embrace the city’s different pace, all while knowing I could return to my cozy Cambridge life by evening.
Ultimately, it was incredibly bittersweet leaving Cambridge a few weeks ago. I look back on my memories extremely fondly, but I also cannot wait for the next chapter.
