Where: Cambridge, England
When: June 27, 2003
With: FSU international program
My first visit to England was while studying abroad in London. I was between sophomore and junior year of college, and this had been my dream since freshmen year when I learned about the international programs available through FSU. I memorized the program pamphlet, and in an odd turn of events for someone who submitted college applications uncomfortably close to the deadlines, I had my application packet ready and submitted the day enrollment began. I got accepted to spend 4 weeks over the summer at FSU's campus in London, and I could not have been more excited.
During my time there, the program had day trips planned every Friday and Saturday, and I signed up for all of them. That is how I came upon visiting one of the oldest colleges in the world, the page 1 entry in The Book, Cambridge University.
Founded around 1209, the University of Cambridge is the fourth-oldest continuously operating university in the world and the second-oldest English speaking university. It was founded when scholars from the University of Oxford had a dispute with the local townspeople and left to form a new university (Oxford therefore being the oldest English speaking university).
Over the years, some of the world's most famous minds have graduated from Cambridge, including Oliver Cromwell (lord protector of England when Charles I lost his head), John Harvard (founder of another university you may have heard of), Christopher Marlowe (nemesis of Shakespeare), Stephen Hawking, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Jane Goodall, to name a few. Several members of the royal family have also attended, including Prince Charles and his grandfather, King George VI.
In short, Cambridge is old and prestigious. The town of Cambridge and the university are completely intertwined having grown together over the years. Large green quads and windy streets are bordered on one side by gothic buildings housing classrooms, dorms and colleges and on the other side by old shops and pubs.
About to pass under a few more bridges. The first in the foreground is the Kitchen Bridge, built in 1709 on the designs of Sir Christopher Wren (the guy who designed St. Pauls' Cathedral). Behind that is the Bridge of Sighs, named after the famous covered bridge in Venice. This was said to be Queen Victoria's favorite place in the town of Cambridge.
When: June 27, 2003
With: FSU international program
My first visit to England was while studying abroad in London. I was between sophomore and junior year of college, and this had been my dream since freshmen year when I learned about the international programs available through FSU. I memorized the program pamphlet, and in an odd turn of events for someone who submitted college applications uncomfortably close to the deadlines, I had my application packet ready and submitted the day enrollment began. I got accepted to spend 4 weeks over the summer at FSU's campus in London, and I could not have been more excited.
During my time there, the program had day trips planned every Friday and Saturday, and I signed up for all of them. That is how I came upon visiting one of the oldest colleges in the world, the page 1 entry in The Book, Cambridge University.
Founded around 1209, the University of Cambridge is the fourth-oldest continuously operating university in the world and the second-oldest English speaking university. It was founded when scholars from the University of Oxford had a dispute with the local townspeople and left to form a new university (Oxford therefore being the oldest English speaking university).
Over the years, some of the world's most famous minds have graduated from Cambridge, including Oliver Cromwell (lord protector of England when Charles I lost his head), John Harvard (founder of another university you may have heard of), Christopher Marlowe (nemesis of Shakespeare), Stephen Hawking, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Jane Goodall, to name a few. Several members of the royal family have also attended, including Prince Charles and his grandfather, King George VI.
In short, Cambridge is old and prestigious. The town of Cambridge and the university are completely intertwined having grown together over the years. Large green quads and windy streets are bordered on one side by gothic buildings housing classrooms, dorms and colleges and on the other side by old shops and pubs.
Oxford and Cambridge both share the unique concept of the "constituent college". A college within these universities serves like a mini-university within the larger one that comes with automatic membership into a fraternity upon acceptance. Each college has its own buildings, faculty, dorms, sports clubs and social outings. Students don't apply to "Cambridge", they apply to one of the 31 colleges which will determine their admittance.
One of the most famous colleges of Cambridge is King's College which was founded in 1441. Its chapel is considered one of the greatest examples of English Gothic architecture.
Most of the colleges at Cambridge have a center court closed off to the rest of campus that is formed by the college's buildings. However Saint Catharine's College, founded in 1473, has a unique open front courtyard.
While most people can't attend the University of Cambridge, the layman way to experience Cambridge is by "punting" on the River Cam. A "punt" is a flat-bottomed boat with square edges that is propelled forward using a long stick pushed along the bottom of the river. It's like England's answer to Venetian gondolas. Here is a punting boat passing under the Mathematical Bridge.
Punting is a super fun way to view the campus and see a different vantage point of all the various buildings.
Coming up on King's College from behind.
About to pass under a few more bridges. The first in the foreground is the Kitchen Bridge, built in 1709 on the designs of Sir Christopher Wren (the guy who designed St. Pauls' Cathedral). Behind that is the Bridge of Sighs, named after the famous covered bridge in Venice. This was said to be Queen Victoria's favorite place in the town of Cambridge.
One of the most impressive colleges from the river was St. John's. Founded in 1511, I guess this makes it a "newer" college (not quite as the "new" colleges are those that were founded in 1800 and on).
I was particularly in love with the ivy running down the sides of the buildings here, making this my favorite college on the block.
While Oxford may be older, I couldn't help but fall in love with Cambridge and deem it my favorite of the two. The waterways, the punting, and the campus were absolutely beautiful. This English university life, even if it was just through FSU, is the place for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment