I didn’t intend for this blog to be as photo-heavy as I feel like it’s becoming, but unfortunately I can’t think of anything else to share with you today! I’ve already missed the last two Sundays due to a stressful trip to Dublin and a recovery-from-said-trip weekend back in Cambridge.

Speaking of Cambridge, you might be wondering “why is Cassie even there right now?” Great wonder! I’m here thanks to a little study-abroad adventure called the Pembroke-King’s Programme (PKP) at the University of Cambridge. I’ve been here since the end of June and figured now is the time to show you why my parents are going to have such a hard time getting me back to the States!

This week, I thought I’d spend my Sunday wandering around and taking pictures of my favorite spots in the two UniOfCam colleges I’ve been studying at. Enjoy!

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Pembroke College

This is my resident college, the one I live and eat in (although technically I live outside of the college walls, around the corner). It was founded in 1347 and is by leaps and bounds my preferred college. On one of my first nights here, I was curious about Pembroke alumni so I googled “famous people who went to Pembroke College.” Imagine my pleasant surprise when I discovered that Roger Williams, the founder of my beautiful hometown state of Rhode Island, attended Pembroke! I don’t want to call it fate, or destiny, or anything but I mean… that’s a sign.

Pembroke is so cozy and comfortable and peaceful and overall it just has this feeling to it. I can’t really describe it, so take a look and see if you catch it too.

That tiny wooden door on the left leads in to the cafeteria, and the giant red brick building on the right is the Dining Hall where Pembroke College members eat. It’s also the building where the best Formal Halls in the entire University are held (might be a little biased… but I have a lot of fun at Pembroke Formals).

PemBar, JP, the Cafe, whatever you want to call it – I’ve spent quite a few afternoons and evenings here. There are giant leather couches that will actually swallow you whole if you start dozing while working on homework. Or if you have one too many ciders at karaoke night.

The New Library – my absolute favorite spot in the entire University. The building is beautiful inside and out. I usually tuck myself into the Classic Literature corner with all the Austens and Brontës because it can’t get more inspirational than that. If I ever become a novelist, I hope I get to come back and be it here.

Pembroke’s campus is filled with quaint little flower-lined paths and crevices. The Scotswoman in me totally lost it over this 6’+ tall thistle plant I stumbled across on my first day. Thankfully, a few purple-topped buds still remained for me to snap a picture of this morning.

This is the opposite side of the Dining Hall. More flowers, more beauty, more immaculate grass you’re not allowed to touch.

King’s College

Founded in 1441 (yes, also before America was even DISCOVERED…), King’s is probably one of the most iconic Cambridge colleges. I can’t say I’ve spent a lot of time here, but I can say that my breathing still hitches every time I walk through the gate. The campus features colossally overwhelming architecture and wide, expansive lawns. Not to mention it borders the River Cam, where you can sit on the banks gossiping with friends and laughing at tourists as they attempt to punt.

This is the front gate that you have to approach in order to get in to the college. Usually it’s a battle through 15 different hoards of school groups and international tours, but the fight is well worth it once you see inside.

I’m willing to venture that King’s Chapel is way up there on the list of popular locations in Cambridge, if not #1. The building is ginormous and stretches half the length of the college. I had the privilege of seeing Evensong performed in the Chapel during my first week.

The ceiling of King’s Chapel makes you just want to splay out on the floor and get lost in admiring it for a few hours. Can’t tell you all the intricacies of the architectural style but can tell you that it’s totally rad in here. A completely mesmerizing place of worship.

… unless you’re at Formal Hall! Got to stand on this grass a few weeks ago when I took a break from the Pembroke formals to attend a King’s one. I personally wasn’t as impressed, but that might be because the Pembroke drinks are on the grass right in front of the New Library…

This is apparently Gibbs’ building but I’ve come to think of it as the scary place where all the Fellows hang out. This is the view you get when you’re standing on the bank of the river, looking through towards the Front Court. That statue in the doorway is actually a fountain on the Front Court, and the tiny dark doorway behind that is the front gate where you enter the college.

My preferred spot to sit and people watch on the banks of the River Cam. Those are King’s College punts moored on the other side. Note: they’re a lot harder to maneuver than you might think.

If I turn around in that exact preferred spot next to the river above, this is what waits behind me. That’s the iconic face of the Chapel on the right.

I can’t say I’ve spent any time at all in the King’s library, aside from the welcome tour, but look how pretty it is! The library is elevated and runs along that top row of windows, which all face the quiet enclosed courtyard I was standing in to take this picture.

Cambridge UK King's College Pembroke College