It is overwhelming to write down our experiences. Thought, why shouldn’t it be on my own current University? But my pen stopped midway, when I glanced through the wonderful portrayals of Cambridge by Ms. Lyla (Cousin2) and Mr. Ray Wells (Ashford). They would be more informative and dependable than mine. So take this as a perspective of an Indian student, who went first time out... that too to Cambridge!
Due to the exorbitant cost of living and education in the United Kingdom, dream of learning at Cambridge would appear as silly and foolish to any middle class student of India. I was no exception.. But thanks to the Nehru Trust, I am enjoying this superior academic environment.
When we reached Cambridge on last October, the climate was cold for an Indian. Later, I learned it was comparatively warm, when I walked through 6-7 inch snow on February. My first impression of Camridge was a big and big WOW!! .. Beautiful palace-like colleges, chapels and green gardens with wooden fences.. and shops showing “ESTD 1670” boards. The biggest building I ever saw turned to be the University Library with a 15 floor tower and books all in its 6 wide floors. Many a time (and still now) I miss my way out.
River Cam turned to be a disappointment. It appears to be an actress of one of the films I recently saw – Slimmer than required and artificially beautified. There are many boats to hire, but I found my first time punting horrible in its busy water stream. I reckon, I didn’t fall in water!
If you visit Cambridge, just walk through its streets - you see wonders. Older than the famous inventions and discoveries of British: like their “discovery” of India. The round church, which I find too attractive due to its small size and shape was built somewhere before AD 1200!
And about the people of Cambridge... Cam is a true miniature of entire human race... Chinese to Americans and Africans to Russians. And different types of Indians – in nature and look… from pucca Desis to westernized Phirangies. And few many Mallus here and there for my great relief. We went to a Pakistani shop and were doubting about the quality of fish. Then a helping sound came from back: “Nalla Mathiya” (It is good sardine – in Malayalam). Such breath-taking surprises should be banned!
And the city is comparatively safer. My friends (both F 23) are ready to issue one or two certificates in this regard. They use to walk back from their labs to rooms (3 km) at 10pm for last 2 years very safely. (Why can’t I go, wait and scare them at 10? Not a bad idea!)
But if you want to enjoy Cambridge fully, learn bit history. (zzzz.. that was my nightmare in school!). We can see many monuments of second world war, reign of different kings.. and certainly details on Who-studied-Where. Each college fellow is proud to say about his “seniors”. We – Fitzwilliam students – have Subhash Chandra Bose, to rescue our pride, where as Trinity and St. Johns boast a long list including Newton to Darwin and Rajiv Gandhi to Amarthya Sen.
In total.. a place which adds years of life within months of living...