Pembroke-King's Programme: Who wouldn't want to go!? Past Review
By Elizabeth H (Social and Cognitive Neuroscience, Harvard University) for
University of Cambridge, Pembroke College: Cambridge - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes, I learned how to motivate myself academically. I learned a lot about Britain and also about the world from a British perspective. I feel that I am much more receptive to different opinions and appreciate them more.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
PKP was an absolutely incredible experience. Cambridge is beautiful as is the campus. The grading system is different than in the states but the teachers will convert your UK score into the American equivalent. The set up of campus is different as well. All the colleges are not just dorms, but actually are their own universities with professors and department. It makes academic much more personalized. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The student activities part of the program could have been a bit more organized. It also would have been helpful to have sign-up sheets online! However, my expectations were exceeded. Everyday brought a new experience both inside and out of the classroom. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing is awesome. Everyone gets a very spacious single with a sink and mirror in the room. There is a cleaning service that makes your bed, changes your sheets, and takes out the trash for you in the morning. The walk to class is not far at all though the main street is very busy with tourists. |
| * Food: |
There are so many great restaurants in Cambridge. The Eagle has delicious fish and chips. Bill's is a wonderful tea and scones place as well as great, fresh meals. Auntie's is another popular tea shop and Tattie's has great breakfasts. There are also late night food carts that have really good fast food! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Hiking in the "Trossachs" or the Scottish mountains. The program took us to Edinburgh where we got to see the city, visit the Scotch distillery, and the Edinburgh castle. There were also lots of art museums. With one of my classes I got to go to Bletchley Park, or the code-breaking center of WWII. I also got to visit British Parliament and meet the Sarjeant at Arms. It was absolutely incredible! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Both the nurse and head of security spoke at orientation. The nurse also pre-scheduled check ins with students who had pre-exisiting conditions. As someone with epilepsy, it made me feel much more at ease knowing that the medical staff knew who I was and discussed my condition and what to do if any problems arose. I really appreciated their discretion and the amount of importance they placed on health. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $50 a week. You are given a stipend for the dining hall, but my friends and I would often go out to eat on the weekends. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure you bugdet enough for travel both around the UK and Europe. Ryan Air has super cheap flights to places all over like Ireland and France. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Adventurous students who value academics, but value new friendships and experiences more. |
