What exactly can encapsulate how a year in Cambridge has been like? What choice of words, what photos, what specific memories would suffice to capture the whirlwind of emotions, the myriad of new experiences? Nothing really seems to come close, but here’s a shot at it.

Cook-outs – One of the first few things that you’ll start missing when overseas would definitely be the food; your humble hokkein mee, chye tao kueh, rojak, laksa… you name it, we’ll crave it. The fact that the only photos that Singaporeans seem capable of posting on Facebook are that of food certainly doesn’t make things easier. So what does one do then? LEARN HOW TO COOK. This was no mean feat for me especially, as someone who didn’t know how to cook an omelette without charring. The learning curve may be steep but you’ll be surprised at how fast you’ll learn and also how high your tolerance for substandard food becomes when you’ve misjudged the time to let your noodles boil and the amount of salt to add for the 912695th time. Not to worry also, CUMSA is overrun by excellent individuals who are so well-rounded that they can not only finish all their supervision work, attend formals every night and generally save the world, but they can cook. So when you’re tired of eating over-salted soggy noodles, all you need to do is wrangle an invitation to dinner. Oh the delicacies that they can whip up, but more importantly the glorious company and bonds forged over dinner. Food really is one of the ties that bind Singaporeans together and served together with a generous helping of laughter and Singlish chatter, it does wonders to lift one’s spirit.

Arghhhhhh! – To be fair, I ran out of brain juice and just could not find a suitable word. But I think this sense of exasperation does describe the main emotion felt when ploughing through example papers and coursework. But know that there is always light at the end of the tunnel and somehow, with much determination and help from your fellow passengers in the same boat, the example papers can be conquered.

Market Square – To me, this is one of the most iconic places in Cambridge; the lively atmosphere during weekends with buskers around and the many trinkets to look at, sweet treats from the candy store and who can forget the Belgium waffles with the cute owner! Many lazy weekends after church were spent just browsing through books and knick-knacks on sale, or just window shopping with a cone from Benet’s in hand.

Bosom buddies – The rigor of Cambridge definitely demands a lot and it would have been dreadfully mundane without the support of friends both old and new. People who would sit on the grass with you and make daisy chains, plan a Japanese-themed birthday dinner to celebrate your first birthday away from home, leave anonymous chocolates in your pidge to make you smile, lounge on the grass like hobos and pluck mouldy grapes, grate countless potatoes to make rosti, clamber over a mountain of luggages to find your shipping boxes and generally colour your life with such brilliance. Bosom buddies; the world could do with more of them. 

River Cam / Punting – Synonymous with lazy summer days, dubious legend promising firsts and the ever-present threat of contracting a deadly disease from the murky waters, punting was somewhat like a passage of rites. From the very first time you wield the rod in an attempt to move forward and find yourself zig-zagging across the width of the river, much to the exasperation of other seasoned punters, to the bridge-jumping attempts on the way down to Grantchester for some tea and scones, every punting trip is a special memory and a real luxury (seeing as how the weather scarcely allows for it sometimes!)

International friends – Being overseas definitely gives you the chance to make friends from all walks of life, and cliché as it sounds, there’s so much to learn about the various cultures and diversity of opinions in Cambridge. Well-worth it to strike a day of studying off your list and just lounge in someone’s room, talking about issues that you’ve always had a strong opinion on and hearing how others may feel differently for it.

Department – Days of rushing lab reports till the wee hours and walking back slowly up the hill, talking about everything and yet nothing in particular. You’ll soon know your department like the back of your hand and every little corner becomes a keeper of cherished memories; where you had your first lecture, first supervision, tea-break table to hide away from the stress of school for awhile… This place has literally become your second home!

Golden House/ Lan Hong – Every engineer’s favourite lunch spot! Piping hot roasted duck, salt and pepper prawns… a treat especially during the bitter winter days where cold sandwiches just aren’t going to cut it. The über friendly shop owners are definitely a welcoming sight! Who knows, when you get to know them well enough they might just upgrade your portion! ;)

Europe – With Europe in the backyard of UK, travelling is often a luxury taken for granted. You could pop over to France for the weekend and be back in time for lectures on Monday – complete with Ladurée macaroons for tea to make you the envy of the entire lunchroom. Or you could join Jailbreak and backpack around Europe (or even further) for charity!

In short, an exchange in Cambridge has definitely been a most eye-opening and enriching experience that I’m grateful for. And much love and thanks goes out to everyone and CUMSA for making it a home away from home. 