Photo courtesy of Laura Galea
Michael Warrender, a 3rd year Bachelor of Arts/International Studies student from the University of Adelaide, talks to us about his experience doing the Cambridge History Summer School program. Read on to find out more...
Hi Michael! Could you please introduce yourself? I am Michael Warrender a now 3rd year Bachelor of Arts/International studies student at Adelaide University.
Why did you choose this AIM Overseas course? I chose this course largely because it provided me with the opportunity to study at Cambridge University, something which I have always wanted to do. I also selected this course because it seemed academically excellent. The topics on offer were of interest to me.
Did you have any fears/concerns before doing the program? And if so, were you able to overcome these fears?
This trip was so well organised by AIM Overseas that I had no real fears or concerns before doing this program. This is even considering that I had not been overseas for several years and had never left the country on my own before.
Tell me about a typical day at Cambridge.
A typical day at Cambridge involved a smorgasbord breakfast at one’s college. This was followed by the morning plenary lecture, which this year focused on the theme of war and peace. After this came a short break before another lesson, this time of one of the electives. Lunch succeeded the class and there was the opportunity to eat wherever one wanted. The final elective lesson then took place. This was the end of the academic day.
Apart from dinner, which was supplied by the college, students then had the evening to themselves. Occasionally there were evening lectures or social activities. Otherwise, one could explore the city at one’s leisure.
If the choice of completing an essay was taken, some evenings/lunch breaks had to be set aside for research and writing.
What was the highlight of the program for you?
The highlight was definitely the opportunity to study at such a prestigious location. Cambridge is a place where one can easily get lost. For several hours in my case! To be treated like a Cambridge student was excellent.
Also, meeting people from all over the world made this experience worthwhile.
Do you have any insider tips for someone who's going on this course?
If one plans to do the essays, pace oneself. It sounds obvious, but doing a bit each day is far more profitable than losing a whole day that could be spent seeing the sites.
There are so many pubs that it is difficult to recommend. The college bars are great as they are designed for students and are rather cheap.
The food provided by the colleges was not brilliant but not that bad. The only meal one has to worry about each day, therefore, is lunch. There are plenty of places to get some cheap food.
Hire a bike! It makes it so much easier to see the whole of Cambridge.
The weekends are a good time to go to London. It is only a 40-50 minute train trip from Cambridge. However, the station can be crowded.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Shields
How has this program impacted you? I now know that I can participate actively at a different university of a very high standard.
I also have the experience of travelling and studying by myself.
What would you say to somebody who’s thinking of doing the program?
Go for it! It is an excellent experience!
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us, Michael!
Photo courtesy of Daniel Shields
This program runs every year in the July uni holidays. To find out more about this program or to apply, please go to our website: www.aimoverseas.com.au or email us on info@aimoverseas.com.au
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