To have a sense of what it is like to attend a lifelong learning summer school at Corpus, read below some of the reviews written by participants in previous summers:

 

My wife and I were intrigued at the prospect of experiencing life as a Corpus Christi student and opted to attend the first week of Summer School 2014. We were not disappointed. We had visited Cambridge briefly previously but to actually live there for a week and absorb the cultural, academic and social atmosphere was an unforgettable experience. Lectures were interesting and informative. Guided inspection of historic buildings unmissable. Meals in the Great Hall, the formal dinner hosted by the Master, afternoon tea in the Bursar’s Garden, punting on the Cam and casual dining and drinking in the Eagle Pub, were golden days. From the time of our initial enquiry we were impressed with the friendly communications. During the school we were looked after so well and fondly recall our time in Cambridge.

Trish & Barry, Queensland, Australia

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An utterly delightful experience! It was just amazing to live like a Cambridge student for two weeks. Everything was very well organized and thought out, and the classes were excellent. A couple of the lectures were actually mesmerizing! All the staff and the teachers were extremely professional, as well as very helpful and friendly. For me, two weeks was the perfect amount of time. I got to see some marvelous art and architecture, as well as to explore the historic city of Cambridge and the surrounding areas. I was also able to make some really great friends. In my opinion, the program managed to strike the perfect balance between academic and social activities. Super! I would recommend it to anyone.

Galen, University of Miami OLLI

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The Cambridge Lifelong Learning Program was even more than I had imagined.  Living in college rooms made it so natural to get to know the City of Cambridge, which is a wonderful mix with many choices for stimulating things to do and see, and quiet nearby beautiful places to get away from the bustle and tourists.  

The program instructors were very receptive to us, and the short courses were well thought out to pique further inquiry in a number of subjects. The other attendees had much to offer also, and the excursions and meals were a good place to discuss what had been presented.  It was great to meet such active, positive people.  

The related cultural and intellectual activities, such as the guest lectures and historic walking tours and the opportunity to visit some beautiful and famous libraries, were stimulating, and the gathering in the garden after one of the Fellows’ presentations was a highlight.  I will never forget our formal Welcome Dinner – it was like a beautiful dream.    

The extra organized non-classroom activities were delightful (punting, rambling, and a pub crawl, for example), and I appreciate the help in organizing my personal adventures, such as renting a bicycle, going to the local monthly folk dance, attending an outdoor Shakespeare production and seeing a film at the October Film Festival.  The city is so compact, that these personal adventures were all within four blocks of Corpus Christi.

Margaret, San Francisco State OLLI

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What a wonderful introduction I had to lifelong learning — it was a spur of the moment decision to make a trip to Cambridge to absorb the ambience, architecture, culture and of course some British scholarship. The seminars were well-organized and there was always something new to learn, regardless of one’s knowledge of the subject at hand. All the students had much to contribute, often in the form of questions that opened interesting lines of discussion. I don’t think two weeks is enough time to even begin the exploration of all the things available to do/see/hear/enjoy in Cambridge. I would love to do another session, different subjects of course. And I would try to squeeze in more time at the Fitzwilliam Museum — it is a treasure-trove to be visited over and over. Muriel and I agree that one of the highlights of our stay was the spontaneously arranged walk to Grantchester, through meadows and across little streams, past ripe blackberries, to take tea at the Apple Orchard tea room. Bliss . . .

Lisa, Santa Barbara, California

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My recent experience with the Corpus Christ College Lifelong Learning course was a delight from start to finish, one I highly recommend to others. The course content was fascinating; the course leaders extremely knowledgeable and engaging, and my fellow students’ participation an added and valued contribution. A further and much appreciated bonus: the college staff – they were always helpful and accessible. As well, the residence environment enhanced the learning, as did the expertise of the speakers we had who were a wealth of information in their fields.

The social side was another contributing factor to the overall enjoyment of the course, reflecting the diversity, backgrounds and areas of interest of the participants and the planned (and unplanned!) activities. An example was the opportunity to tour the Corpus Christi campus, learn of its historical origins and also to have an inside view in other notable colleges nearby, which we explored in fascinating tours in what is a surprisingly compact, walkable and lovely city, notable for its impressive historical architecture. Overall a wonderful course.

Norah, Vancouver, Canada

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It has always been my desire (one of the foremost items on my Bucket List) to study at one of the leading universities in England.  And when I found out about this Lifelong Learning summer program in 2014, I jumped at the chance to attend.  It was everything I had dreamed it would be, and then some.  Our group of “senior students” easily bonded and enjoyed being with each other.  The classes were wonderfully stimulating; the BEST part being studying English History in the place where it all happened!  Our professors were all very well educated in their subject, and took pains to make sure we had the appropriate materials for all that we studied.  The administrators of the program were very attentive to our needs, and to our comfort. Our Formal dinner in the Great Hall, after a lecture by a former ambassador was a special highlight; as well as visiting Trinity’s Christopher Wren Library as part of the British Architectural Class!!

I do have to say that this has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I am very much looking forward to doing it again!

Sandy, The Renaissance Society at California State University, Sacramento

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Had never been near Cambridge prior to my wonderful week there. That the town is a joy to be part of goes without stating, but when you add tours of the splendiferous buildings, the intimate lectures, the bonhomie from breakfast at the college until pub time with new friends, it is a wholesome pleasure. Yes, pleasing to the eyes, to the mind and between the tours, the punting and one’s curiosity to see more of this incredible town, a physical joy as well.

Brian, University of Toronto Academy for Lifelong Learning

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I loved the Lifelong Learning program at Corpus Christi. Classes were excellent; faculty were accessible and even available to talk about their own experiences as Cambridge students, as well as their research-in-progress.

We had splendid out-of-class activities: punting on the Cam, two formal dinners in College, a walk to Granchester with tea in an apple orchard, architectural walks, guided visits to the Fitzwilliam Museum. And so many good things to do independently: browsing in real bookstores, chatting with enthusiastic fellow classmates, checking out local pubs and teashops.

Muriel, Santa Barbara, California

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I spent two weeks at the Cambridge Life Long Learning program in 2014.  I had a great time and I whole heartedly recommend it.

The classes, evening lectures and instructors were interesting and engaging.  The afternoon outings were well organized and adapted so everyone who wished could participate.
The formal Master’s Dinners and the informal gatherings at the Eagle Pub were fun.
Most of all I enjoyed the collegial atmosphere and the abundance of old traditions and architecture. The time in London was an extra bonus.

Gretchen Osborn, San Francisco State OLLI

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I loved the two weeks I spent at Corpus Christi’s Lifelong Learning Program. I’m so glad the UW’s Osher-LLI agreed to pass on the announcement. I contacted Corpus Christi and got an immediate reply and was sure I wanted to go. I expected I would learn a lot. And I did, but I had no idea how much fun it would be. Not only did I learn in class but I also learned by being surrounded by so much history. Whether on the Corpus Christi Campus or just down the street at King’s College or at Trinity College or the weekend in London and other short excursions, it was exciting to see up close the legacy of archbishops, Tudor monarchs, Shakespeare, centuries of great architecture, and so much more.

The classes were small with good interaction between teacher and students. The professors were young, smart, and enthusiastic about their subject matter. They were friendly and collegial, interacting with us during coffee breaks and other group activities the college offered. The college also provided wonderful opportunities for us to participate in British traditions. I could go on and on, but I’ll just say explore this program yourself. You’ll have a great time.

Pearl, OLLI at the University of Washington

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Being at Corpus Christi was a total emersion in learning about the content and culture of life at Cambridge University as well as the country.

Marie, OLLI at Florida State University, Tallahassee

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The opportunity to study at Corpus Christi College Cambridge, is one of the highlights of my ongoing lifelong pursuit of knowledge and awareness, experience and wonder and collegiality. To actually be at the university that has such an impressive history in the course of humanity, to study with amazing instructors and to be a part of the Cambridge experience validates my path as an arts educator.

The Corpus Clock with its Chronophage Beast, for me, is the perfect metaphor for my journey. I will ride time to my end taking advantage of all that comes my way. For many of us learning is being alive. Standing in the shadows of great architectural wonders, walking the paths of so many, realizing the amazing history of it all and punting the Cam makes and keeps us all connected. I too leave a mark at Corpus. I thank all that made this opportunity a reality. The wonders never cease.

Bill, OLLI at Florida State University, Tallahassee

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I learned new academic and intellectual information and ideas; and I learned a lot about me. The whole process – the journey, the classes, the places, the people all contributed to the most enriching lifelong learning that I have experienced.

Peggy, Fielden Institute for Lifelong Learning at Indian River State College, Florida

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The OLLI Study Abroad experience in Cambridge, UK, offers the lifelong learner the opportunity to study in an ancient setting that has nurtured scholars for over 600 years. The collegial surroundings with their ancient quads and worn stone steps make one pause to consider how many students have walked there before. The tranquility of the comfortable seminar room, with window seats set in thick stone walls, looking out over historic buildings and quiet gardens, seems an ideal place in which to contemplate the language of Shakespeare, or to discuss the poetry of John Keats, led by instructors with amazing intellect and passion for their work.

The convenience of living in modern dorm rooms on the Corpus Christi College campus, only a couple minutes’ walk to Hall for hearty meals, enables the most efficient use of time for mornings spent in the unique learning opportunity in College, leaving afternoons free to explore the architecturally rich town of Cambridge. Visits to neighboring Ely, punting on the River Cam and touring the celebrated Kings College Chapel, add to the richness of the experience. Of course, Corpus Christi’s proximity to The Eagle pub doesn’t hurt either…

Pat, OLLI at Florida State University, Tallahassee

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The Summer School provided a smorgasbord of ‘delicacies’ – both academic and social. Samplings of Shakespeare, the Cambridge Collections, Jane Austen, the British Empire and the Bloomsbury set, only served to whet our appetites for more, while we enjoyed visits to Ely Cathedral, Grantchester and a performance at the Globe Theatre in London, interspersed with punting on the River Cam and visits to old pubs off the beaten tourist track. Unforgettable memories with ‘new’ friends.

Cambridge but a not-too-distant, delicious memory. It was truly a pleasure to meet and interact with all of you. Each of you, and your individual personalities, brought something fresh and exciting to our group experience. I personally found my Cambridge stay absolutely exhilarating.

Sushila, Charlotte County Lifelong Learning Institute, Florida