going abroad to Cambridge, England for four weeks this summer... what to expect?

Question

I'm going to a summer program at Cambridge and I've no idea what to expect. Is it completely different from the usa?

Answer 1

During the summer, there are lots of foreign students. A lot of them are there to study English. There will also be lots of tourists. The colleges are wonderful, very old and beautiful, and you can go punting (boating) on the Cam River, which runs by the colleges (punting means pushing the boat along with a long pole that reaches the bottom of the river). Cambridge is only an hour from London by train, so you'll be able to go into London for the day to go sightseeing there. Try to get out in the English countryside -- it's very pretty. There are bus tours available that will make travel easier, although the train service is also very good compared to this country.

Answer 2

Yeah, I'd say it's quite different from what I've heard, although I've never actually been to America. Cambridge is primarily a University town, so there will be lots of students there; although if you are going during the summer, there won't be many, if any there, therefore, it might be quite empty. It is also a fairly (I use posh for the lack of a better word) area, and is quite different from the majority of England, let alone America; it is well known for its annual boat race with Oxford and there's a lot of rivalry between the two...erm, I can't really tell you anything else...

Have fun, it's supposed to be a great city...it's really historical too!

Answer 3

As an American, Cambridge is a great place to visit because it looks exactly like we expect England to look.....and yes, I say "we" because I'm American also....I just happen to live in England now.

When I pictured what it would be like here it was always just how I find it in places like Cambridge, Oxford, York, Bath etc etc.

It will be busy with plenty of tourists so you won't exactly stand out as a foreigner....it's far more cosmopolitan than most parts of the UK or the US but mixed with that old world charm almost like it's from a Harry Potter film.

I guess it all depends on where you're from in the US but I don't myself think it gets all that cold here, but then I'm a Cheesehead so I wouldn't. It's a damp cold when it is cold and it gets into your bones so I suggest you wear layers.....but in summer you should be just fine.
It does rain a fair bit I admit, but that makes the place nice and green so you can't have it both ways.
Again, in summer you should be fairly safe even here.

The hardest thing I've learnt to cope with here is the traffic....congestion is a big issue on this small island and the roads are narrower than I was used to in the US.
It's kind of disconcerting to find yourself on a small country lane with a 60mph speed limit that's being ignored by locals who know it better than you do.....but you close your eyes and get used to it.
Driving in Cambridge is interesting...as it is in most large towns or cities here. But to be fair....the place wasn't built for cars exactly.

And of course they drive on the left here.

But if you aren't planning to drive then don't worry about it.....towns like Cambridge have good bus services from what I've seen due to the resident student population.

Just have fun and enjoy.

Answer 4

Cambridge is the real England. Very clean, great architecture, good shops and cinemas, friendly pubs and restaurants. A real classy city.

Also expect lots of people on bicycles, go punting on the boats.

Have a nice time.

Answer 5

Cambridge is a really nice city with some stunning architecture and loads of history. You will really enjoy yourself. And take a trip to the Fitzwilliam its fantastic. And give punting a go if you're feeling brave.

Answer 6

Depends where in the USA you're from. If you're from Florida (for example), expect to be cold. And wet. Very, very wet! You don't mention what you call summer - summer here occurs sometime around July to...... July. Did I mention cold? Or wet?

Answer 7

u bet it
but you are going to luv it specially becoz it is so different
cambridge is a very nice university town with loads of things to do during summer
cinema, the YMCA where you can have a ball swimming... there is a very nice club in the town centre
the cricket field, if you like to play
loads of parks to sunbathe
the boat tour showing you around Cambridge
the outskirts are lovely with loads of green areas and riding schools

Answer 8

there are some lovely old places to visit and i know it sounds morbid but you could check out the American Cemetery -

Cambridge is very flat and very open so whatever the weather expect it to be windy

Answer 9

As one who has spent all of her over 50 summers in England - I can tell you to expect rain!

But pack your factor 30 too...well, I can dream can't I?

Answer 10

oh yes, very different, beautiful, old buildings, some several hundred years old. But also a thriving modern city with great bars and restaurants. Enjoy