On Tuesday, I had my first "supervision" as they call them here. If you haven't guessed yet, it means that I met with my supervisor for an hour to formally discuss my first essay. This essay is the big kahuna of Michaelmas (fall) term-- 5000 words on the "relationship between biological, cognitive and social factors in development."
Okay, so back to my supervision-- students of the Education Faculty have been told over and over that you "Must Be Prepared!" for every time you meet with a supervisor-- do your reading, know the material, be ready to ask questions...Yeah, well, let's just say, my supervision didn't go as planned. It wasn't completely my fault, I actually had done some reading, it was just the wrong reading-- I apparently was pretty far off the mark in researching-- what I thought was-- my topic. Luckily, my supervisior is a Professor whose primary interest is in Special Education. Anyone who studies Special Education is usually pretty understanding. So, it didn't go as badly as it could have.
In fact, it was going pretty great when my supervisor suddenly said "I think you should write 1000 words based on the readings I just gave you (note-- this is like 9 books of reading!). When do you think you can have that done?" Now, I was going to say...maybe 10 days? Ummm...nope. She decided I had to have it done by the following Tuesday-- less than one week.
Needless to say, I've spent the last few days gathering every book (my current total is 11) on her reading list. Now, a lot of these books are spread out into every one of the Cambridge University Libraries-- every college has its own, every faculty has its own, too, PLUS there's the big UL (University Library).
Each library has its own policy on who can take out the books, how many you can take out, and for how long you can take them out. I have 3 library cards-- one for the Medical Library, one for St. John's Library, and one UL card (which also works at the Social and Political Science Library). The downside of having books spread all over the place is trying to a) find the library and b) trying to find the book inside the library.
The good news is-- the more libraries you belong to, the more books you can check out! The other downside, you have to know when you need to return the books to each library and remember to do it.
I'm proud to say that I have officially checked out too many books-- if I only belonged to one library that is, which I don't...so far I belong to 5! Yay me!
On that note, I really should actually read the books I took out of the library. I'm hopefully going to dinner in 30 minutes and then to a debate at the Union on Iran. Ah...Cambridge...
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Ah...the virtues of Chilean food and more than a healthy bout of procrastination...
Unbelievably, it has been a month since I made my epic trek by plane, bus, and foot from the US to Cambridge. I feel like I've been here for years. I have settled into my small, modest room (although it still has next to nothing on the walls-- who has time for decoration?) and a fairly consistent schedule of sleeping, eating, going to lectures, rowing, and the most time-consuming activity of all...socializing, of course!
Some of you might read that last sentence and think to yourself, hmmmm...wow, sounds like a great life! and then you might say, well, she did mention lectures, but what about actual academic work? Isn't she at the University of Cambridge to get a Master's degree with some of the greatest minds in the world?
Yes, you've identified the one crucial activity that I have managed very nearly to ignore during my first month here- schoolwork. Listen, it's not as bad as it sounds. I have been doing enough to prepare myself for lectures and, believe it or not, I do a lot more work than most people I know here--though there are a few people who spend most of their life in the library (and subsequently no time doing anything really worthwhile).
Here is my problem- I am surrounded by thousands of intelligent students from all over the world. Amongst them, they speak every language imaginable and are (mostly) willing to share their own unique cultures and politics. If you haven't figured it out already, these same students--while being some of the top in their field and incredibly intelligent-- also really like to have fun and they are really proficient at that, too.
If you are truly fortunate, you come upon someone who not only wants to share his or her culture through words, but also through cooking for you! I have a new friend, Daniela, from Chile (it's important that you pronounce that Chee-lay NOT chill-lee) who LOVES to cook. I mean, we'll actually be diligently doing work in a study group when someone mentions being hungry. Daniela immediately responds with "I'll cook for you! Come over to my place and sit with me in the kitchen while I prepare a quick lunch." First of all, when she says 'lunch' she really means 'a 3 course dinner' (Chileans eat their biggest meal in the middle of the day)-- usually including some kind of salad and then a meat dish and rice, followed by dessert. Secondly, a 'quick' lunch translates into between a 1-1.5 hour meal. While she will always excuse her cooking before you take your first bite with a warning that this is the first time she has made this or that, you know it's going to be delicious! And it always is.
I think you are beginning to see my problem. I meet some friends with the intention to work (peer pressure seems to be the only antidote to getting nothing done), which turns after a couple of hours into the cooking and eating of a huge meal, and then afterwards, I am full and sleepy-- which again, makes it very difficult to sit down and read page after page about qualitative research methods or the endless theories of child development.
If this weren't enough of a setback, when you go to dinner with friends at the "Buttery" (dining hall), you invariably run into at least 10 people who you know (to varying degrees) and who want to socialize with you during dinner. At least one person within this group of people will say at the end of at least a 30-45 minute dinner-- let's go to the College bar for a drink (or in my case, hot chocolate). There you might plan an impromptu poker game, trip to the movies at St. John's 'cinema', walk to watch a debate at the Union, grabbing a beer at a local pub, or just a gathering at someone's house for another glass (or in most cases, glasses!) of wine and sitting in the common room talking about politics or TV shows or music-- you get the point.
If I'm not actually physically hanging out with others, the culture here dictates that you maintain your Facebook site-- searching for new acquaintances, stating your current whereabouts and general emotional state, updating your mobile number, and generally making yourself available for being invited to even more social events.
It's not my fault, you see, that I can't get anything productive done. Everything, particularly eating, is a social affair.
Having said all of this, I see the potential for academic work to pile up and major stress to set in. So, I must go and try to get something done before I meet my Chilean friend for a study session (and invariably a super yummy meal) and then have rowing practice.
Goodbye for now. I hope you are all well and fitting in some good food and quality time with friends.
Some of you might read that last sentence and think to yourself, hmmmm...wow, sounds like a great life! and then you might say, well, she did mention lectures, but what about actual academic work? Isn't she at the University of Cambridge to get a Master's degree with some of the greatest minds in the world?
Yes, you've identified the one crucial activity that I have managed very nearly to ignore during my first month here- schoolwork. Listen, it's not as bad as it sounds. I have been doing enough to prepare myself for lectures and, believe it or not, I do a lot more work than most people I know here--though there are a few people who spend most of their life in the library (and subsequently no time doing anything really worthwhile).
Here is my problem- I am surrounded by thousands of intelligent students from all over the world. Amongst them, they speak every language imaginable and are (mostly) willing to share their own unique cultures and politics. If you haven't figured it out already, these same students--while being some of the top in their field and incredibly intelligent-- also really like to have fun and they are really proficient at that, too.
If you are truly fortunate, you come upon someone who not only wants to share his or her culture through words, but also through cooking for you! I have a new friend, Daniela, from Chile (it's important that you pronounce that Chee-lay NOT chill-lee) who LOVES to cook. I mean, we'll actually be diligently doing work in a study group when someone mentions being hungry. Daniela immediately responds with "I'll cook for you! Come over to my place and sit with me in the kitchen while I prepare a quick lunch." First of all, when she says 'lunch' she really means 'a 3 course dinner' (Chileans eat their biggest meal in the middle of the day)-- usually including some kind of salad and then a meat dish and rice, followed by dessert. Secondly, a 'quick' lunch translates into between a 1-1.5 hour meal. While she will always excuse her cooking before you take your first bite with a warning that this is the first time she has made this or that, you know it's going to be delicious! And it always is.
I think you are beginning to see my problem. I meet some friends with the intention to work (peer pressure seems to be the only antidote to getting nothing done), which turns after a couple of hours into the cooking and eating of a huge meal, and then afterwards, I am full and sleepy-- which again, makes it very difficult to sit down and read page after page about qualitative research methods or the endless theories of child development.
If this weren't enough of a setback, when you go to dinner with friends at the "Buttery" (dining hall), you invariably run into at least 10 people who you know (to varying degrees) and who want to socialize with you during dinner. At least one person within this group of people will say at the end of at least a 30-45 minute dinner-- let's go to the College bar for a drink (or in my case, hot chocolate). There you might plan an impromptu poker game, trip to the movies at St. John's 'cinema', walk to watch a debate at the Union, grabbing a beer at a local pub, or just a gathering at someone's house for another glass (or in most cases, glasses!) of wine and sitting in the common room talking about politics or TV shows or music-- you get the point.
If I'm not actually physically hanging out with others, the culture here dictates that you maintain your Facebook site-- searching for new acquaintances, stating your current whereabouts and general emotional state, updating your mobile number, and generally making yourself available for being invited to even more social events.
It's not my fault, you see, that I can't get anything productive done. Everything, particularly eating, is a social affair.
Having said all of this, I see the potential for academic work to pile up and major stress to set in. So, I must go and try to get something done before I meet my Chilean friend for a study session (and invariably a super yummy meal) and then have rowing practice.
Goodbye for now. I hope you are all well and fitting in some good food and quality time with friends.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
A few pictures of Cambridge...
This is the entrance to St. John's college, which we all know to be the most superior college in the University of Cambridge (see previous posts).Colleges here aren't the same as what we consider colleges to be in the United States. Here they house undergraduates, fellows, tutors, the college bar (yes, the college has a bar that serves alcohol), the cafeteria ("the Buttery"), fitness center, our pigeonholes (AKA-mailboxes), health center, Hall (where we eat formal dinners in our robes-- like in Harry Potter, I know you're thinking it), the library, social room, and all kinds of offices for most administrative issues you need to take care of. In essence, a mini-community center of sorts.
There are over 30 of these colleges within the University of Cambridge and they are all scattered throughout Cambridge proper. And yes, more than a few of them look like castles. :)
I walk through St. John's every day, so I am fortunate to consistently be passing by buildings hundreds of years old, in addition to the many new graduate students I've met over the last few weeks. You've probably heard of the Bridge of Sighs (which made an appearance in the Harry Potter movies).
Please see the following album of pictures that I took during my first few days in Cambridge.
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| Cambridge Fall 2007 |
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
My first cycling experience in Cambridge...
I am very proud and RELIEVED to report that I successfully cycled to my Department this morning without any collisions with buses, cars, other cyclists, or pedestrians. It really was quite the feat for me!
I do, however, think that my gears (I only have 3) might be stuck. Luckily it's the lowest one (well, whichever one is the hardest to pedal with) and there are not many hills to pedal up. We'll see.
Anyway, I have my induction for my MPhil programme in 10 minutes. It supposedly lasts 6.5 hours. Ah yes, my academic obligations begin. So, I will have to cycle home in the dark. Wish me luck!
PS- I promise to put pictures up as soon as I get my computer charged up again-- hopefully tomorrow!
I do, however, think that my gears (I only have 3) might be stuck. Luckily it's the lowest one (well, whichever one is the hardest to pedal with) and there are not many hills to pedal up. We'll see.
Anyway, I have my induction for my MPhil programme in 10 minutes. It supposedly lasts 6.5 hours. Ah yes, my academic obligations begin. So, I will have to cycle home in the dark. Wish me luck!
PS- I promise to put pictures up as soon as I get my computer charged up again-- hopefully tomorrow!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
My first Cambridge bike...
I just bought my new bike-- you know, my latest (and nearly only)form of transportation in Cambridge. Aside from the standard questions that you ask other new students (called "Freshers") you meet here such as-- "What course are you studying?" and "Where do you live?"-- the next logical question is "Did you get a cycle (bike) yet?" I'm proud to say that my bike is what I consider to be a traditional Cambridge bike-- old style with a wicker basket. Sadly, it is harder to ride than mountain bikes that we are accustomed to in Seattle especially when you put something in the basket-- the weight in the front completely throws me off!
Oddly enough, I feel that procuring my bike today has been more exciting than buying my first car in Seattle. Truly one of my many rites of passages in which I will take part as I become official member of Cambridge University.
PS- St. John's College is the greatest college in the whole of the University!!!-- I am told that I must embody this belief. I've heard that Johnians are known an elitist bunch.
Oddly enough, I feel that procuring my bike today has been more exciting than buying my first car in Seattle. Truly one of my many rites of passages in which I will take part as I become official member of Cambridge University.
PS- St. John's College is the greatest college in the whole of the University!!!-- I am told that I must embody this belief. I've heard that Johnians are known an elitist bunch.
Monday, September 24, 2007
By the way...
For those of you in Seattle who've been having bad weather, well...for the next 10 days in Cambridge it is supposed to rain and be cloudy with temperatures in the 50s and low 60s.
The day has arrived...
I'm FINALLY off to Cambridge today! In a couple of hours, I'll be on my way to the airport and by tomorrow at 6:20 am (England time-- 1:20 am East Coast time), arrive at London Heathrow to catch the bus to Cambridge. It is very exciting!
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