Future Plans

Dear The Eagle,

The first time I visited Cambridge I didn’t know you existed. I was 17 and attending a mid-IB summer school organised by Oxford Study Courses. I was at a time in my life when I thought I was mature for my age and knew everything out there, oh the naivety. I spent 6 weeks not caring about the history or architecture. Only caring about the summer school experience, meeting people from all around the world and my first taste of independence*. To say that the experience didn’t shape me in some way is a lie, it convinced me that studying abroad was something I really wanted. The experience probably shaped me to a better version of myself at that time and that’s something to be happy about.

But this letter is not about my first experience at Cambridge. This letter is about re-visiting Cambridge after 7 years with an IB Diploma, a BSc in Genetics and towards the end of an MSc in Human Molecular Genetics. About the day I was back with more knowledge and awareness of my surroundings. With greater understanding of the significance of the city not just in history but also in education. I walked the cobbled streets and focused on the architecture with greater appreciation. I thought there is a limit to my fascination with the place until I was directed by my friend to your door.

I stood as I read the sign that mentioned how this was the place where Watson and Crick discussed the DNA. Standing there as a genetics student brought with it a rush of inspiration. I automatically imagined myself in a corner with a big cup of coffee, a laptop and lots of articles on intellectual disability. I have always been confused about whether research is something I want to stay in and that all cleared up. In a split second an eagle could attack a prey, in a split second I was able to plan the next 5 years of my life. Whether that plan works out or not, I’m not sure. What I’m sure about though that I can see myself doing a PhD and that’s a sign I very much needed.

I’ll come back to you and to Cambridge whenever I need to make a life decision because it seems like you always have an answer.

Signed, sealed, undelivered,

A girl with a plan