Cambridge

I have arrived and settled into Cambridge and I love it! I didn't get the classes that I had wanted or hoped for - I ended up with British Political Thought which so far has been a lecture on British history, Origins of Modern Science which so far has been an over view of Aristotle and Plato and is taking the perspective of purely historical, and Democracy and Dictatorships in the Third World (I think this was my third choice for my C group but it is interesting though not the literature class I had wanted). The second term starts at the end of July and I think I got a better selection of courses for that one - fewer people stay on for the second term. We have plenary lectures in the morning after A course lecture and evening lectures that all students in the summer programs are invited to which include a diverse breadth of the topics. The topics for the plenary lecture this morning and the evening seminar were about how the University of Cambridge works - the college system, some of the history and how it has become so prominent in the world. 

I am so excited to be here. You can feel how proud the faculty are of their university and rightly. The town is beautiful with all the old architecture, and cute little shops. I am staying in Newnham College in Sidgwick. My room overlooks this lovely little garden with a fountain and besides the weather Cambridge is just the most perfect place! The food is wonderful - full English breakfast and dinner was a lot of quality choices as well. None of the book stores have the required reading books which seems (I'm sorry to say) typical of professors everywhere. I'm afraid even a few I've had at UM request out-of-print textbooks written by their best friends or photocopied versions of a book that has yet to be published properly. Oh well... I'm going to the bookstore this afternoon to pick of a few of the supplementary reading - more common things like Hobbs and Locke (for British Political Thought) and Plato and Aristotle (for origins of modern science). The professors seems apathetic about whether we must complete the readings as long as we attend class and are attentive they are fine. The classes are lecture heavy and less participatory than the classes I've taken in the USA and even a bit less than Westminster, likely because of the time constraints. 

Classes are held every day which is a huge change. It's more like high school and I'm glad for the four hour block in the afternoon after C course before dinner and the evening seminars to unwind, read, study and socialize. It does feel more productive though and I wonder how much more we would be able to cover in University if we had class every day like high school. Probably not practical for scheduling though. Cambridge definitely FEELS more academic than Westminster, it's more like Michigan actually. I like being back in a rigorous environment, even though high standards are not burdening my learning (i.e. my degree isn't riding on my performance). Having the rigorous environment but no actual grades is ridiculously enjoyable. I feel like I am just soaking up knowledge and integrating in more readily into my world view and making it relevant - rather than worrying about which facts I need to memorize for the examination or what will be required for the essay. While perhaps not practical for regular school, it's perfect for the summer program and just the last few days I've been here - I've vowed to myself more than once that I simply must come back. Later in life I will come back - to London, to Cambridge. There are adults in the program as well doing continuing learning and I hope that I can come back and continue learning and studying through out my life. 

I alternatively never want to leave and cannot wait to get back to the States. More accurately I want to transport Cambridge across the pond and go to grad school. I am anxious to start my own studies listening to the faculty discussing so passionately their own work. I am also anxious to move into my own place! I'm getting excited about that for sure! For example the wifi here is only in the Buttery (which at the moment is pretty cold) and the showers are on a timer and you have to push the button ever minute and a half to keep it going. On the flip side the food is great and prepared for me and they give us fresh towels every day, sheets once a week and coffee and tea to make in the room with milk and sugar (it's like an academic hotel). Anyway I am off to explore - I am going to look for this science museum the plenary lecturer spoke of the Whipple I think it's called.