Student Gerald looks forward to Reach Cambridge summer school 2015

I am delighted to be attending the Reach Cambridge Program in July. The subject I applied and was accepted for is Physics & Engineering, which is one of my favorite subjects, but I’m looking forward to being challenged on another level. In the school where I study there are no physics laboratories, so everything that I have learned has been on a theoretical level. At best, we have sometimes watched a virtual experiment on the internet. Clearly such visualizations are not enough to fully grasp the complexities of the phenomena, nor to internalize the interrelation of physics with other subjects, such as mathematics, other natural sciences, and even its effects in the social textures of lifestyles. Being in touch with likeminded individuals, who have studied physics in different angles is yet another reason why I’m looking forward to attending the summer program. I consider meeting new people and challenging myself intellectually on constructive discussions as one of the most interesting ways to learn and grow. That is why I think that the Reach Cambridge Program will be very beneficial to me. Visiting Cambridge and other places in the United Kingdom is surely one of the reasons why I am excited about this summer program. I have seen movies and clips of the streets of Cambridge, which look amazing. Just to think – in those rooms, streets, bars, have lived, laughed and loved some of the most important minds of humanity, that have shaped the quality of life that we are living now. Life as we know it would have been less sophisticated and less qualitative without Newton, Darwin and Hawking, just to name but a few. And exploring the places with friends from all over the world will be even more interesting. Fun activities, such as peculiar sports that are practiced in Cambridge, or going out and hanging out with new friends is something I am looking forward to. With all this wealth of knowledge and legacy, Cambridge is very different from my home country, which is full of energy and zest of life, but which often misses the calmness and breadth which comes with experience. Just to mention that the first Albanian speaking school opened only in 1887! I believe that this experience will be one of the highlights of my life, one that I will cherish forever. I am most certain that I will not be let down, and my expectations will not only be met, but exceeded. See you soon, Cambridge! By Gerald, Reach Cambridge student July 2015