Cambridge long vacation scholarship

It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I feel extremely privileged to have been a part of. It mostly involved independent study, which I used to gather preliminary resources and explore ideas for my dissertation. Because I got in touch with the relevant professors well in advance of my stay, I was even able to meet up with the head of the English Language and Linguistics faculty and some other scholars who provided valuable feedback to improve and broaden the scope of my dissertation. I made effective use of the wealth of resources and facilities that the institution had to offer including the University library, Kings College Library, and my faculty library. I found that studying on campus in such an inspirational environment and being surrounded by likeminded people genuinely enhanced my productiveness and quality of work. My favourite spots included the Kings College Library that has a view of the cathedral and the Botanical Gardens, as well as the outside terrace that overlooks a river with punting passers-by.

 Our organiser at Kings College composed a wonderful itinerary consisting of various tours with professors and other academics that detailed interesting information on the history and architecture of Kings College itself, including the chapel, library, and other colleges. She also devised a list of optional additional activities and sight-seeing recommendations for tourists in Cambridge so that there was always something to do.

This was beneficial to my personal development as most of the applicants were all completely new to one another, thus prompting the enrichment of my social skills, although this wasn’t as daunting as it seems. Living together in the accommodation alongside other students from Queen Mary and with everyone else just next door (from both Queen Mary and other universities) created a shared experience for us all and therefore a bond of understanding, allowing us to make lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories. Together, we explored the city centre and other surrounding areas such as those suggested by our organiser among many others.

I was honoured to attend, and glad to have been a part of. I entered fresh-faced and came away with new contacts that have helped put into perspective my direction in healthcare specialisation. As a medical student, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to arrange one-on-one meetings with several Cambridge academics who worked in my areas of interest. Nonetheless, these meetings could not have been accomplished without the reading from the vast collections at King’s College and Cambridge University Libraries. This allowed me to further develop my questioning with a higher baseline and provided an enlightening experience in examples of real-world applications of Medical Economic theory, especially with regards to recent events. For those who wish to practice a shadowing or meeting event, I recommend making contacts with the desired health professionals ahead of time, but to always keep the door open in case of sudden changes, which could be favourable.

There were also many opportunities provided both by King’s College and independently, to explore the history and culture of this unique university town. Of special note was the guided tour of the King’s College Chapel provided by one of the College’s Fellows who helped to maintain it, providing a unique perspective on not only its history, but also the sometimes-tumultuous history of the town and its place throughout the centuries. Furthermore, the Shakespeare Festival provided by the Colleges were a good opportunity to explore these institutions as well as make new friends.

The staff were pleasant and helpful with any queries that may come up during the stay, as well as the facilities. This included a gym built into a bank vault and punting opportunities, which provide excellent avenues of activity for the restless. 

Due to the independent study nature of the project, I recommend a degree of organised scheduling, and know that most weekends are free-time (unless changed) and as such can be pre-planned ahead of time. This takes away from the stress of organising excursions on the day and frees the mind for focus on your studies. This Scholarship is a MUST for furthering your education.

A month before my arrival at Cambridge, I began listing all the potential topics I might consider for my research. When I arrived, I felt well-prepared, having most of the prerequisite knowledge and a list of resources to consult. I was eager to implement the plans I had been developing for the past month. However, I quickly realised that I had underestimated the depth of basic knowledge I thought I had in Linear Programming. Despite this setback, I was committed to deepening my understanding before proceeding with my initial plan. Unfortunately, no single textbook or article provided a complete picture, so the abundance of resources at the University of Cambridge was crucial. Using multiple resources at the same time helped me identify unfamiliar topics fundamental to Linear Programming and orient myself within a vastness of information I hadn't known existed.

At first, I felt like I was revisiting what I already knew. But soon, I moved to a more abstract understanding of how the Simplex Algorithm operates in an n-dimensional vector space. For the first time, I was able to establish a direct connection between the algorithm and linear algebra. This newfound understanding gave me insights into “how” the algorithm works.

Overall, my summer at Cambridge was highly productive. Several key factors contributed to this outcome. I was incredibly passionate about my research, however, this was no coincidence. Against the backdrop of the university's remarkable academic record; living, studying, and having private access to facilities made me feel as if I truly belonged to St. John's College. The nearby amenities provided the breaks I needed to relax after long study sessions. The mix of a challenging academic environment and accessible outdoor activities created ideal conditions.

For those considering attending the program, there are several recommendations I would like to make. It's important to understand the difference between studying and researching. Studying is about focusing on a specific topic, while researching also involves making connections between related topics and answering both "why" and "how." Even if you think you know a topic well, you might still discover intricacies you were unaware of. Meanwhile, as much as knowing where to begin, it's also crucial to define the limits of your research to avoid becoming lost in the complexity of the subject's history. Consulting multiple resources can give you a broader view as each resource offers a different range and depth of information. Similarly, using e-textbooks can help you be more efficient if you can't find academic guidance, don't be disheartened. While having a mentor can be beneficial, their absence can also make your study program more versatile, allowing you to focus entirely on your interests and aspirations. Lastly, things don’t always go as planned, but being adaptable can turn unexpected challenges into opportunities for growth.