My application to St John’s was influenced by the late Chinese historical novelist Louis Cha 金庸, who did a PhD here in his eighties, and because the College has several academics in my subject. As my PhD has developed, I’ve discovered things in common with academic researchers in other areas I’ve met at St John’s because our work has happened on the same concepts.
I initially lived in postgraduate single accommodation and, when my wife joined me, couples’ accommodation. The rooms are in beautiful houses in nice locations with great facilities very close to the College.
St John’s supports its postgraduates very well – I personally received funding to redesign the St John’s allotments and to pay for referee fees for the SBR football team, and there's a programme of social and research events to attend and get involved in. I also made good use of the Learning and Research Fund which helped with buying books and materials I needed.
There is a distinct postgraduate community at St John’s, and we have a real sense of belonging. As a mature student I’ve found the College has the resources to allow me to be independent as a postgraduate, I’m very much treated as an adult and have the freedom to make my experience whatever I wish.
When I enter a room at John’s, there’s always someone incredible to meet who is deeply passionate about their specialism, it’s amazing to be in a space where everyone has a particular draw about their life.
The SBR Committee organises great events, and there’s a big LGBTQ+ community here which is important to me. After my MPhil in College, I worked in Cambridge for a year before starting my PhD in museum practice – it had to be at John’s, there’s nowhere better.
