To deepen the understanding of British culture among students of the PHBS International Financial Management Programme and enrich their learning experiences at the British campus, on October 9, 2024 (UK time), PHBS-UK organised all first-year Master in International Finance (MIF) students to visit the University of Cambridge, embarking on a cultural exploration journey in this historic and world-renowned academic institute. Notably, PHBS Founding Dean Hai Wen recently arrived at PHBS-UK from Shenzhen and joined the students on this trip to Cambridge and enjoyed a punt ride with them.
At 7:30 am on October 9, the school bus departed from the campus, picking up students living off-campus at BTC (Between Towns Court, an off-campus student residence in Oxford) at 8:00 am, and then proceeded to the center of Cambridge. On the bus, everyone was laughing and chatting, filled with endless imagination about the Cambridge trip and a longing for new experiences.
Travel Diary
Group Visit 1: Morning Campus Tour
Guided by a tour guide, students wandered along the River Cam, feeling the subtle sadness described by Xu Zhimo, a Chinese romantic poet. Punts poled through the sparkling water, reflecting the spires of Trinity College and the grandeur of King's College. The ancient college buildings looked solemn and mysterious under the sunshine, with every brick seeming to narrate a long history.
Then students visited the Eagle Pub, where Francis Crick and James Watson announced their discovery of the DNA double helix, and where a plaque hangs to commemorate this great discovery. Lining the walls of the pub are other plaques commemorating famous scientific discoveries, such as Newton’s Apple Tree, which filled the students with respect for the mysteries of science as they took pictures.
King's College
After lunch, students were free to explore the centre of Cambridge.
Some students visited the King’s College Chapel. The spires of the chapel stood like guardians, telling the old stories of Cambridge. Sunlight shone through the stained glass windows, casting a mysterious aura on the statue of Henry VI. Inside the chapel, students found themselves surrounded by the vast dome and dazzling stained glass. It was as if the ethereal voices of a choir echoed in their ears.
Xu Zhimo's poetry monument quietly lay on the grass by the River Cam. Reading the familiar poems, students silently felt the romance and sorrow he once experienced here. King's College is a hall of knowledge and a harbor of art and emotion, making them reluctant to leave.
Punt Ride on the River Cam
A punt ride on the River Cam was an activity the students had been looking forward to.
On the River Cam, students had the privilege of going punting with Professor Hai Wen. With the lively introduction of the punter, the punt slowly shuffled between ancient bridges and colleges. Willow branches swayed gently with the wind, and the reflections on the river combined with the scenery on the shore to form a moving picture scroll.
The gentle river carried the millennial wisdom and poetry of Cambridge. Amidst the sound of oars and the glow of lights, the students felt the tranquility and depth that transcended time and space. Professor Hai had friendly conversations with the students and listened to the punter's historical tales. At this moment, time seemed to slow down; this was not just a punt ride but also a purification of the soul.
As the sunset's glow scattered on the ripples of the River Cam, the Cambridge journey ended with the shutter click of a group photo. “Quietly I am leaving, just as quietly as I came; gently waving my sleeve, I am not taking away a single cloud." This passage, borrowed from the poetic lines of Xu Zhimo, captures the essence of a bittersweet farewell. For the MIF 2024 class, every path they walked together and every brick they touched during their journey will transform into a distinctive, British experience, forever glowing brightly in their cherished memories.
By Wang Luoya
Photograph: Hui Chenyuan and Li Qingyi
Translated by Annie Jin
