Walking through the streets of Cambridge, gothic spires pierce the gray sky and stone parapets rise all around you. You may trip on a cobblestone as you cross the River Cam on its winding journey through town, watching flat-bottomed punts drift by with a trail of swans following. Every few feet, the quaint, colorful storefronts are punctuated by the imposing brick gate of one of the many Cambridge Colleges. Flash your student ID to enter Jesus College, pushing heavily against the wooden gate. Beyond is a hidden world of expansive lawns, rambling flower gardens, and welcoming three-sided courts where medieval academic towers meet the picturesque.
To any reader of Harry Potter, attending Jesus College fulfills the long-held Hogwartian dream. Take, for instance, Formal Hall, held almost every evening in the College dining hall. Students arrive wearing the traditional academic gown, with long sleeves that billow behind just as Snape’s robes sway dramatically as he struts down a dimly lit corridor. The Hall is decorated with solemn portraits, long tables, dark wood paneling, and flowers cut fresh from the gardens. Before dinner is served, everyone stands as the porter rings the gong and a prayer is recited in Latin. Such decorum remains throughout the evening as servers present three courses, each plated artfully and tasting delicious.
Formal Hall not only provided fantasy-fulfillment, but also the precious opportunity to bond with my fellow Pomona students studying abroad. However, I spent most of my time at Cambridge alone, whether that meant enjoying exciting solo adventures to London or feeling lonely in my room while it drizzled depressingly outside. I thrive best with a heavily structured schedule, which, despite its many other strengths, Pomona’s Cambridge Program significantly lacked. As such, I had to create structure for myself, which I did primarily by joining groups that aligned with my extracurricular interests.
For example, I joined the Jesus College Art Club, meeting once a week to draw or paint together. I also joined the Jesus College Football Team with fellow Pomona student Anya, and went on to score a goal in our victorious championship match of the College Cuppers Tournament. I joined the Cambridge University Symphony Chorus as a soprano, singing a concert in Ely Cathedral with a full symphony.
One of my most rewarding experiences was joining the Cambridge University Associated Football Club, the oldest soccer club still in existence today. I played in the annual Varsity match against Oxford in a stadium full of raucous English football fans, chanting and waving signs. My teammates were welcoming and friendly, encouraging me to attend social events and participate in team traditions. Through these groups, I was able to ensure I had consistent social interactions while integrating myself into the Cambridge undergraduate community.
While this may seem like I had a very busy schedule, I still found myself with an overwhelming amount of unstructured time compared to my life at Pomona. Attending Choral Evensong became a reliable way to add structure to my week and help me wind down from a lonely or stressful day.
After dinner, the College Choir sings Evensong in the Anglican tradition of polyphonic choral music, performing psalms and hymns interspersed with readings and a short sermon. Each Cambridge College has a College Chapel with its own respective choir, which wears white surplices over red cassocks. Not only was I able to listen to some of the best choirs in the world, but I did so in some of the most celebrated examples of medieval gothic architecture in Britain. From the fan-vault ceiling and jewel-box stained glass of King’s College Chapel to the intimate, grotto-like Jesus College Chapel (completed in the 13th century), attending Evensong allowed me access to incredible architectural spaces. I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect more deeply with my Christian faith, meditate on the tradition of English choral music, and wonder at the gothic achievement of carved stone vaulting and colorful windows.
One of my most cherished memories was attending “Compline by Candlelight” at Jesus College. Held late at night, this 20-minute choral service consists of choristers singing evening blessings for peace in Anglican chant, or plainsong. The dark Chapel is lit only by flickering candles, which line the aisle and stalls. I remember closing my eyes, feeling the warmth of the dancing flame as the choristers’ voices floated eerily upward in unison. Moments like these were magically peaceful.
Afterwards, attendees were invited to sip port and cocoa in the Dean’s room. I still remember that hot chocolate as the best I have ever tasted! Against the deep chill of outside, it was comforting and warm, just like the friends I enjoyed it with.