A mere meeting of strangers at the airport, mingling around wondering what is in store for them in the following two weeks of their lives in the small town of Cambridge, and the small but elegant campus of Girton college. They had absolutely no idea that the fortnight they were going to spend together would be a beautiful memory that would stay etched in their minds.

That was what happened to a group of eighteen from Hwa Chong Institution (College Section), who were fortunate enough to be the select few to participate in this prestigious Reach Cambridge Summer School. What was initially thought to be just another academic programme, turned out to be a wonderful experience for all of us. Spending time away from school back in Singapore, we studied subjects that ranged from physics to biotechnology, philosophy to economics.

Our lessons in Cambridge University were conducted in the lecture-tutorial system, similar to the one we are so familiar with in junior college. However, it was a refreshing experience too, in a sense that tutorial is in such a laid back atmosphere, and can be conducted in places ranging from the classic classroom to the open spaces of the park in the college grounds. The unique teaching methods adopted by the professors there allowed for more intellectual investigation of various topics were something that we can never get in the classroom confinements of Singapore. We were also taken aback from the standard we were exposed to, although there was mental preparation for a rigorous time; curriculum varied from nuclear magnetic resonance to cancer genetics. However, we managed to comprehend them through discussions amongst ourselves and with the tutor assigned to us. Practical were conducted in world-class laboratories and departments to find out more about plant viruses and protein domain interactions, to find out how science can affect our lives directly.

Efforts were also put in to let us learn beyond the syllabus. Scientists from different fields were invited to give evening lectures to keep our mind enriched about current advancements of space exploration and aerial photography. We were given insights of a space rocket launch to Mars that took place 5 days into our programme.

What was more important, and heavily emphasized throughout the course, was the experience outside the classroom. We participated in activities such as astronomical observations, botanical garden visits to know more about the science in the heavens and around us on Earth. Scavenger hunts were also organized to let us know more about the place we spent a lovely two weeks in. Visits to London science museum was also another eye-opener. It introduced us to a wide array of amazing exhibits ranging from mathematics to biomedical science and aeronautics to space travel.

We also learnt about the culture of UK and the history of England from the unique gothic architecture which is an everyday scene when we walk around the college campus and in the town centre. Everyday after lecture, we would pile on to the bus that would bring us to the town centre, which never failed to intrigue us with its myriad of mysteries. River Cam, famous for its world renowned punts which brought us along the length of Cambridge, is the place we discovered more about the rivalry that existed between colleges, and the history of the numerous bridges that cross the river at near regular intervals.

The friendships which were forged in these two weeks together are, of course, the most valuable assets we managed to get out of the trip. The high walls that separated us from each other at the boarding of the plane crumbled after the second night, where we interacted with each other in a sentimental single-room d17. We soon became close friends who shared their own life stories every night together while playing cards, who huddled together freezing in the cold, looking at shooting stars while singing songs. We became sport partners, playing football and basketball against the tutors and other JCs.

This mere meeting at the airport was by no means coincidental. It has allowed a group of strangers to learn more about themselves, about others. Now, this group of students is no longer a group of strangers. It is now a group of close-knit friends, all of whom hope to keep this treasured friendship throughout their lives, along with the beautiful memories of the two weeks together etched in their minds…

haha in toilet desperately drying the glitter glue =S

and finally its done! yay! hahaha so nice rite? rite?

and finally

GET WELL SOON, YONG LIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

i remember when i first arrived at the airport and i could barely recognise anyone. in the airport and airplane i remember everything so foreign! then in the plane alycia tian yuan chang chao tong and i were at the back looking at the nice scenery ! haha chao tong was sick and i remember i didnt know him at all then MUAHAH (and of course i didnt know what was going to happen to him and ____ __ LOL)

ANYWAY LOOK AT THIS THE TWO GAYS muahahaha

anyway thanks everyone for making it such a great trip and i will always treasure the memories and we must always meet up okay yay!