CSP INTERNSHIP 2025 PART 1

Searching for the Right Internship

Last spring, I began searching for an internship program to join over summer 2025. That’s when I came across an in-person opportunity at Cambridge University called the Cambridge Scholars Programme (CSP). Excited by the opportunity,  I decided to apply and take my chances. The application process was straightforward, I only needed to submit my grades, some personal information, and a few other details. I chose to apply because Cambridge is an incredible university, and the courses and activities offered through the program looked fascinating. Plus, knowing Cambridge is one of the oldest universities in the world made the opportunity even more special. I submitted my application on January 13, and on February 4, I received my acceptance email. I was speechless and so filled with joy and wonder. This experience taught me the value of applying early. The program offered two options: a one-week course, or a two-week course. I initially chose the one week option, but looking back after the internship, I wish I had selected the two-week program because this experience turned out to be amazing and truly unforgettable.

First Impression

When my mom and I landed at London Heathrow Airport after our flight from the U.S., I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. After clearing customs, I met Jeremy, one of the co-founders of the program, who introduced me to a small group of early arrivals. Since my flight was among the first, only three other people were there, but we quickly started talking as we waited for more students. The coach ride to Cambridge was when the adventure truly began- even before arriving, I was already making friends with people from all over the world. Yet the moment we finally reached the college was unforgettable. The first thing that struck me was how remarkable it looked: the grand architecture, the intricate details of the stone buildings, and the way the historical structures seemed to blend seamlessly with the lively surroundings. Once we got our rooms keys and settled in, my friends and I headed out to the nearby market. The streets were bustling with people, music, and restaurants and food everywhere - a huge contrast to the quiet Sundays back home, where most people spend the afternoon indoors. This lively, welcoming atmosphere, combined with the beauty of the historic campus and the warmth of the people, made my first day at Cambridge both a pleasant surprise and the perfect start to what would be an incredible experience.

Program Courses Overview

I worked in many different spaces throughout Cambridge University’s campus. The program offers a variety of classes and I chose Engineering, Economics & Finance, Cambridge Thinking, and Computer Science. The program allows you to choose up to 3-4 classes, and an optional free time throughout one period of time a day. The Engineering class took place in a seminar-style room, and we were guided by an experienced mentor who guided us as we built the robots. The class was divided into 2 groups and each group chose a robot to build. Economics and Finance were held in the common room, and we were assisted by Jeremy, a former Cambridge student, and co-founder of the CS Program. In this class, there were 5 tables with 3-6 people at each table. My table had 6 people, including me. We learned about many things from the stock market and simulations, to interest rates and central banks. After the second class, we had an hour and 30 minutes of a lunch break. This was when my friends and I went out to get lunch. Some days I would go with one friend group, and other days I would go with a different group. The third class I chose was Cambridge Thinking. This class was held in a lecture hall with a small group, where the mentor, the other co-founder of the CS program, and former Cambridge graduate, encouraged us to solve paradoxes collaboratively. This class was one of my most challenging classes, requiring logic and resulting in different paradoxes. The fourth class, Computer Science Programming, was conducted in a seminar-style room where a knowledgeable instructor guided us through Python exercises.   I learned how to program using Python. Since I was already used to JavaScript, I would sometimes code incorrectly due to the two languages being different. Although it was complicated, I learned an important thing, coding in Python requires a little less code than JavaScript. The vibe from each work place was amazing. From the eager students ready to learn, to the amazing teachers who taught each class. Overall the classes and the teachers were amazing. The teachers were able to teach both the people who had experience in the subject, and those who didn’t, so no one felt left out. 

Each class came with its own challenge, some were mildly challenging, while others were extremely challenging. One of the first tasks I was given was in Engineering. I was to build a robot with 3 other people in my group and code it in 3 days. This wasn’t a huge challenge, but the collaboration part of the construction- deciding who would build which piece- was both fun and tricky. Another challenge was in Economics and Finance. During the stock market simulation, one moment I was making five thousand, and the next I was losing ten thousand. Overcoming this challenge was very difficult, not knowing that even more challenges were waiting for me. In Cambridge Thinking, solving questions that at first seemed straightforward but actually turned out to be paradoxes, however, spotting them became much easier.  Another challenge I faced was in my Computer Science Programming class, where I was learning Python but still had JavaScript in my head. I often mixed the two languages, which led to frequent errors. As each day went by, I discovered more and more challenges-from not knowing what certain words meant to making coding mistakes. As I learned from each obstacle, I gradually overcame them. Although I faced many different challenges, I had a few small moments that made me more excited to dive deeper into the class and look forward to the days ahead. One of those being about connecting gas, electricity, and water to three houses, without any of the lines intersecting. By facing challenges in each class-from building robots in Engineering to unraveling paradoxes in Cambridge Thinking-shaped my experience at Cambridge into one of growth, discovery, and excitement for what lay ahead.