I find myself really missing Cambridge. Anyone who is my friend on Facebook could easily attest to that. My cover photo is the famous panorama of King's College along the river. My profile picture was taken at a May Week garden party and is pretty Cambridge-esque, complete with garden party dress and umbrella. I've posted statuses about missing Cambridge and shared links related to the city/school. And one of the first things I did once in DC was to join the Cambridge alumni society (although, regardless of my missing Cambridge, it was an great decision).
Yes, Cambridge is gorgeous. Yes, I made amazing friends there. Yes, I discovered new things about myself and grew into the person I am today. But I was only there a year, should it really mean so much to me? It seems natural to be nostalgic for my first time living in England (first time even seeing Europe). But it's more than that.
For me, my Cambridge year was exactly what I needed at the exactly right moment in my life. It was a time of exploration and coming out of my shell. It was a time of making friends, opening up, and enjoying life. Cambridge and, more specifically, my college of choice, provided me with a welcoming, safe, and fun environment to grow and learn. I was in a new country, on my own, paying rent for the first time, functioning with no one to hold my hand, and yet, I felt completely at home.
My college, Clare Hall, is the smallest Cambridge college. It was tiny, grad only, and informal. I quickly knew everyone there, making it easy for me to attend college events and parties (something that would normally make me anxious became a pleasure--I even danced!). The environment made me unafraid to be myself, intelligence, awkwardness, and all. I was accepted for me and fit in immediately. On top of it all, the house I was living in was perfect. And I do not say that lightly. I have had not-so-great living situations in the past, so the idea of sharing a house and kitchen with 14 or so other people was daunting. But, somehow, all of us got along amazingly. We had house dinners and parties, chatted in the kitchen, and genuinely cared about each other.
Taken on its own, it's no surprise that I loved my year at Cambridge. But, it held an added significance for me. I absolutely needed a year like that, a year where one of my primary complaints was getting up at 6 am to go rowing on the Cam. There were difficulties, of course. For example, the adjustment to a British Master's program was not easy coming from a tiny American undergrad. But all-in-all, it was an easy year emotionally. And the problems that I did have were quickly soothed by wonderful housemates and friends. After the emotionally draining year (I won't get into the reasons) that I had had previously, only this ideal year abroad could have helped me truly begin to heal.
After leaving Cambridge, rather reluctantly I must add (staying a whole two months after my dissertation was finished), I made a(nother) huge life change. I up and moved to DC for the post-grad job search. These past few months have been filled with uncertainty and difficulties. I have struggled and been disappointed. But I have also been interning and working to make a life for myself--friends, social activities, an apartment. I am proud of myself for staying active, keeping my spirits high, and moving forward. I am becoming a stronger person for it.
So, what does my current situation have to do with returning to Cambridge? Well, it's natural that I would want to return to the safety and comfort that my year at Cambridge provided me when my current situation is so stressful. But, while the first time around Cambridge provided the healing and revitalization that I absolutely needed, returning now would instead be like running away from my problems.
Going back to Cambridge won't bring back my "Cambridge year" and all that it was for me. It won't make my new struggles disappear. I need to stay in DC for a while and figure things out here. I am confident that I can. Once I have, then I can visit Cambridge. I can go there a stronger, more self-confident individual. I will be able to appreciate Cambridge for what it was for me in the past while enjoying it for what it still is, without trying to go back to a time and feeling that can not, and should not, be replicated.
With all that said, however, I can not promise that my Facebook will become less Cambridge-focused any time soon. Sorry, but, above reasoning aside, I still really do miss Cambridge. ;)
Yes, Cambridge is gorgeous. Yes, I made amazing friends there. Yes, I discovered new things about myself and grew into the person I am today. But I was only there a year, should it really mean so much to me? It seems natural to be nostalgic for my first time living in England (first time even seeing Europe). But it's more than that.
For me, my Cambridge year was exactly what I needed at the exactly right moment in my life. It was a time of exploration and coming out of my shell. It was a time of making friends, opening up, and enjoying life. Cambridge and, more specifically, my college of choice, provided me with a welcoming, safe, and fun environment to grow and learn. I was in a new country, on my own, paying rent for the first time, functioning with no one to hold my hand, and yet, I felt completely at home.
My college, Clare Hall, is the smallest Cambridge college. It was tiny, grad only, and informal. I quickly knew everyone there, making it easy for me to attend college events and parties (something that would normally make me anxious became a pleasure--I even danced!). The environment made me unafraid to be myself, intelligence, awkwardness, and all. I was accepted for me and fit in immediately. On top of it all, the house I was living in was perfect. And I do not say that lightly. I have had not-so-great living situations in the past, so the idea of sharing a house and kitchen with 14 or so other people was daunting. But, somehow, all of us got along amazingly. We had house dinners and parties, chatted in the kitchen, and genuinely cared about each other.
Leslie Barnett House, Clare Hall |
Rowing doesn't stop for snow! |
So, what does my current situation have to do with returning to Cambridge? Well, it's natural that I would want to return to the safety and comfort that my year at Cambridge provided me when my current situation is so stressful. But, while the first time around Cambridge provided the healing and revitalization that I absolutely needed, returning now would instead be like running away from my problems.
Going back to Cambridge won't bring back my "Cambridge year" and all that it was for me. It won't make my new struggles disappear. I need to stay in DC for a while and figure things out here. I am confident that I can. Once I have, then I can visit Cambridge. I can go there a stronger, more self-confident individual. I will be able to appreciate Cambridge for what it was for me in the past while enjoying it for what it still is, without trying to go back to a time and feeling that can not, and should not, be replicated.
With all that said, however, I can not promise that my Facebook will become less Cambridge-focused any time soon. Sorry, but, above reasoning aside, I still really do miss Cambridge. ;)