ASA: Academic Study Associates 2008 Programs

ASA in Cambridge Student Life

Your summer home will be historic Corpus Christi College, one of the 31 colleges that make up Cambridge University. Corpus Christi College is one of the ancient colleges of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1352 by the Guilds of Corpus Christi, it bears the distinction of being the only College in Oxford or Cambridge founded by their citizens. The College recently celebrated 650 years of commitment to teaching and research, carried out on the site of its original foundation in the heart of mediaeval Cambridge and within easy reach of the many facilities and sights of the city.

At Corpus Christi you will have your own bedroom, fully outfitted with a bed, wardrobe, desk and chair; these are the same rooms used by Cambridge undergraduates during the academic year. Corpus Christi “bedders” tidy bedrooms daily and supply and replace linens and towels weekly. A team of “porters” staff the lodge at the gated entrance to Corpus Christi 24-hours a day and monitor the entrance, sign in visitors, assist with lost keys, answer questions, and provide first-aid response. Living on each floor are Resident Advisors (RAs)—university students who have experience in residence life counseling and studying abroad. Your RAs are there not only to ensure your health and safety, but also to act as community guides and friends, helping you adjust to a new culture and new situations and to get the most out of your stay in Cambridge.

Most classes are conveniently held in Corpus Christi or its adjacent college buildings. In addition, there is an auditorium as well as a computer lab for checking email. The architecture of the college provides a beautiful and unique environment in which to live and learn. Corpus’ Old Court is regarded as the best surviving medieval court in Cambridge and is home to a beautiful chapel. The college also features the famous Parker Library. The long-nosed Matthew “Nosey” Parker was Master at Corpus Christi College in 1544 before becoming the Archbishop of Canterbury. His legacy is the library and its collection of rare books and manuscripts. Breakfast and dinner are eaten in Corpus’ traditional oak-paneled dining room. Lunch is not provided to encourage students to explore Cambridge’s restaurants, sandwich shops, and coffeehouses or enjoy a picnic by the river.

Your summer in Cambridge is also a cultural experience, and ASA staff will help you discover all the city has to offer, from festivals, concerts, and exhibitions to cafés, shops, and the spectacle of daily life. Take in the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Scott Polar Research Institute, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology as well as film festivals, plays and historic walking tours. Experience the pleasures and perils of punting on the River Cam, wander Market Square and its many shops, pick up lunch at Peppercorns and hang out amongst the plane trees on Jesus Green. Soon you’ll enjoy familiarity with one of the world’s most historic and charming cities.