Social aspects

Each Cambridge College is a separate institution with its own structure, culture, and philosophy. Colleges provide personal and academic support for students and allocate housing. The Semester Abroad Scheme is administered by Pembroke College and all Semester Abroad students will matriculate as Pembroke College members. Students will live in one of the Cambridge Colleges or in University housing in the city.

Semester Abroad students are Cambridge students and consequently there are plenty of extracurricular activities they can get involved in. Whether students are interested in sports, music, acting, politics or journalism, there will be a student club, or Society as they are called in Cambridge, they can join. In addition students attend College dinners known as ‘Formal Halls’. These are three-course candlelit meals enjoyed in beautiful dining halls with fellow students and faculty, a Cambridge tradition dating back hundreds of years.

Colleges are hubs of social activity. Each college has a bar and a Junior Common Room (JCR) which is the focus of undergraduate life. Pembroke’s JCR is actually called the Junior Parlour (JP) and its website gives a flavour of what College life has to offer.

At the University level too there will be more opportunities to explore extracurricular interests. The Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU) represents Cambridge students at the University level, and provides central services, support and entertainment for all students. University societies involve students from all the Colleges and there is a huge variety of societies.

In addition to the opportunities available to students at the College and University levels, the International Programmes Department at Pembroke organises further activities for Semester Abroad students. The semester begins with a welcome buffet and orientation and ends with a Garden Party or farewell lunch. Other outings are also arranged, and in previous years students have enjoyed trips to Ely and the coast.