A calm start
Thursday came faster than I expected, registration day! I woke up surprisingly calm, did my quiet time, prayed and took a shower. I even found a few minutes to unpack before making a quick WhatsApp post. The response? Overwhelming. So many congratulatory messages poured in from friends and family back home in Ghana. “Make us proud!” was a common theme. I felt a wave of pride knowing I was representing my country in the MBA cohort at Judge Business School.
I also squeezed in a few calls to some of my friends in Ghana before realising- oops! I had to get ready. Group B was up next for registration and I definitely didn’t want to be late.
Sim card struggles and offline maps to the rescue
In my rush, I tried registering my SIM card to get internet access but ran into some issues. Thankfully, Stephanie (an MPhil alum from last year) had sent me a fresher’s guide which had recommended downloading Google Maps offline in Ghana. Lifesaver! With that, I set off on the 26-minute walk from Wolfson to Judge. A whole workout in itself, but I kept telling myself, this counts as fitness!
First impressions and networking
At Judge, I asked for directions and bumped into another MBA student on the way. She was so friendly-it instantly put me at ease. I grabbed coffee and settled in while waiting for registration. I was early (13:10 for a 13:30 start), but it worked in my favor. I used the time to strike up conversations. Networking turned out to be easier than I thought. My simple formula? Ask for their name, college, pre-MBA work, and post-MBA plans, then listen and follow up. It sparked some pretty engaging chats.
Registration and headshots
Soon, we were ushered in to meet the Career Services team. Their presentation was spot on, and I made a mental note to book a 1:1 appointment soon.
Next came headshots. Someone complimented me for wearing something colorful- apparently most people stuck to black suits- and another said I had a “really nice smile.” That made my day! After trying on my jacket and confirming my profile details, I did something special: wrote a postcard to my future self, which I’ll get to read at graduation. Can’t wait to see whether I achieve all the goals I set a year from now! Finally, I got a Cambridge-branded bag with a Cambridge calculator (the only one we’re allowed to use for exams), an umbrella (much needed after Day 1’s rain episode, thank you Cambridge Judge Business School for saving me from buying one!), and a water bottle 🙂
Treasure hunt fun
We toured the school, found our lockers and then broke into small groups for a scavenger hunt-style competition. My team of 3 searched for key places in the business school like the Library, IT Centre, Career Centre and Programme Office. It was such a fun way to bond. Fingers crossed- I win that Amazon voucher!
Women of the MBA meet-up
There were so many meet-ups on Thursday, about three different ones, but I settled on the MBA ladies’ meet-up and I was glad I did. After registration, I dashed home to freshen up and then joined the MBA ladies’ meet-up at The Mirtle. It was the perfect ending to the day, authentic conversations, lots of laughter and an instant sense of belonging. I felt so grateful to be surrounded by such amazing women.
Family check-in
Before bed, I video-called my husband, parents and little boys. Seeing their faces, hearing their excitement about my new adventure, it grounded me. It reminded me why I’m here and who I’m doing this for.
Looking ahead
Day two was full of energy, connections and little moments that made me smile. Cambridge is already starting to feel like home and I can’t wait for the days ahead.
Reflection
If there’s one thing I took away from today, it’s that stepping out of your comfort zone isn’t as scary when you lead with curiosity and openness. Whether it was networking, navigating a new city or meeting my cohort, I realised that sometimes all it takes is a smile and a simple question to start building meaningful connections.
Friday: Dinner at The Ivy
Friday was more of a rest day after the whirlwind of registration and the meet-ups the night before. My brother and I decided to treat ourselves to dinner at The Ivy Brasserie. Truth be told, my taste buds are so used to Ghanaian food, spicy and hot, that the English dishes felt a little too mild for me. I couldn’t eat much, but here are some pictures of the beautifully plated food.
After dinner, we strolled through the City Centre, capturing the charm of Cambridge by night. The soft glow of the lamps, the quiet streets, and the view of the River Cam shimmering in the darkness were simply magical.
Saturday: Exploring Wolfson College
On Saturday morning, I played tour guide for my brother and showed him around Wolfson College. Our first stop was the pedestal of Prince Albert’s statue. Prince Albert was Queen Victoria’s husband. His statue is now housed at the Fitzwilliam Museum; however, the pedestal remains here at Wolfson. Together they stand over 13 feet tall, making it impossible to display both on campus.
We moved on to the Lee Seng Tee Hall, named after the Singaporean businessman and philanthropist whose daughter studied at Wolfson, and the Betty Wu Lee Garden, named in honor of his wife. Next, we visited the Lee Seng Tee Library, opened in 1984 as a generous gift from Mr. Lee himself. I made a mental note: this will become one of my regular study spots.
We didn’t get to explore all of Wolfson, because we had to rush- punting was waiting for us.
Punting on the River Cam
If you’ve never been punting in Cambridge, picture this: a long, flat wooden boat gliding gently along the river, pushed with a tall pole. Our ride was peaceful yet full of fascinating moments. We spotted swans along the Cam, listened to our guide share history, and soaked up the vibrant atmosphere.
I learned that Bologna is the oldest university in the world, followed by Oxford, with Cambridge as the third oldest. Trinity College is the wealthiest Cambridge college, followed by St John’s.
Fun fact: A.A. Milne, the creator of Winnie the Pooh, studied mathematics at Trinity!
We floated past Clare College and its rich history. Founded in 1326, it nearly collapsed financially within ten years. Lady Elizabeth de Clare, granddaughter of Edward I, donated some of her fortune to save it. She had been widowed three times by the age of 26 and chose to dedicate her wealth to education.
Other highlights included the Mathematical Bridge, a genius design of straight timbers arranged to look like an arch. Along the way, we saw a groom punting his bride to loud cheers, a birthday singalong for a group of people (what are the odds!) and even a lively “team bride” boat with bridesmaids celebrating. The river was alive with joy, history and laughter.
Food, music and goodbyes
After punting, we grabbed food at Shake Shack, did some grocery shopping, and stopped to listen to a man playing the most harmonious tune in the City Centre. Music floating through the streets added to the magic of the day.
Later, my brother packed up and left. It was bittersweet saying goodbye after such a wonderful few days together.
Evening: MBA meet-up
In the evening, I attended another MBA meet-up at Revolution. It was buzzing with energy- students from all over the world connecting, sharing stories and getting to know one another. I was especially excited to meet Amanda Boadi, a Ghanaian-Canadian alum who shared valuable tips and advice about thriving during the MBA.
By the end of the night, my voice was almost gone from all the conversations, and I felt socially drained but happy. I walked back to Wolfson with a sore throat, tired yet grateful for another full day.
Reflection
Today reminded me that Cambridge is not just about study halls and lectures. It’s about people, history and experiences. These experiences open your heart as much as your mind. Whether it was gliding down the Cam, learning centuries-old stories or connecting with future friends, I realised that this journey is as much about living in the present as it is about preparing for the future.