I announce that I am now a member of Pembroke College, for life. That's according to the Master at least.
There is no point talking about undergraduate studies in Cambridge without mentioning my college. Most people I guess would end up feeling much more attached to their colleges than the university itself. The strength of the education is amplified here. The forging of bonds can take place easily here within the small community. Knowledge are passed down in the unique fashion of supervision. Of course what everyone makes out of these varies greatly, but the platform is there for everyone.
The architecture in Pembroke is breathtaking. It doesn't have the grandeur of King's or the enormity of St John's. But the layout makes me feel like home, as compared to living in a vast castle, which would be intimidating. Gardens are neat, and the lawn on the courts on so neatly maintained that not even a stray leaf can be found. The bright colours of green and red are especially soothing to see in autumn. The age of the college also give rises the other “abnormality”.Most of the staircases would crack and crick when I walk on them, and there are portraits of Masters hanging on the walls in the Hall. And I get to hear jokes about C and rumours of other colleges.
The culture here is strange. I bet J K Rowling borrowed heavily from Oxbridge when writing Harry Potter. Gown must be worn during matriculation, and everyone has to pen their names on this giant book that looks like it's centuries old. The pen was also of old style. I was so lucky to write my name in both English and Chinese. And the matriculation photograph looks almost like graduation photograph in some sense, as we were all wearing gowns as well. The formal hall is also very unique, with bells ringing to signal the entrance of the Master, and followed by some words in Latin, before anything is served. In the middle of the meal the same thing would happen again if he wants to leave or make a speech. People may call those “quirks”. But to me, these people are just purely jealous.
Description is incomplete without pictures. Please go the Facebook and see the pictures I have taken. They are not great, but will give a rough idea of what a college is like.
3 comments:
strongly disagree with the staircase creaking thing, my staircase is covered with black rubber!!! it does not creak, but it does not look nice at all. there are some identical portrait around the college. in library you can find some portraits which also appear in the hall. they are probably quite cheap.
which staircase you at? but you know those staircases such as D or E really creak. oh i have never noticed the portraits in the library, but it still give the atmosphere even though they may be cheap.
i live in G5. you should pop in sometimes. yeh i agree with you that the portrait does give the atmosphere. i think it would be interesting to count how many identical portraits are there. i am going to do it as a break activity tomorrow evening.
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