Little Black Book 2009-2010 - Cambridge University Students' Union

CUSU Little Black Book 2009 25Meet the people...Mohamed AbdallaCollege:JesusYear and Course:Second Year and Natural SciencesWhat part of the country are youfrom?BirminghamDescribe your Cambridgeexperience in three wordsIntense, Enthralling and UnforgettableWhat advice would you givefreshers about freshers’ week?Get to know as many people at yourcollege as possible, especially thosedoing your subject.What societies are you involvedin?Islamic Society.If there was one thing thatyou could change about yourCambridge experience so far whatwould it be?NothingRia HyltonCollege:Kings baby!Year and Course:1st year SPS student.What part of the country are youfrom?London Town - though my grandparentsare from JamaicaDescribe your Cambridge experiencein three wordsIntense, Baffling, Amazing.What advice would you give freshersabout freshers’ week?Talk to loads and loads of people acrossthe years and subjects. Try not to forgetnames. You will feel overwhelmed, butjust remember everyone is feeling asvulnerable as you are. And I know thissounds silly but SMILE. But not too much.What societies are you involved in?I’m part of the Education Not For Salegroup. We believe that education,whatever the form, should be free toall and fully funded by the state andcampaign for this cause, amongst otherthings. It’s not just about tuition fees, youknow.If there was one thing that you couldchange about your Cambridgeexperience so far what would it be?I wish I had spoken up more when Ithought people were making ignorantcomments and I would have liked tohave spent less money. I would also liketo have had more black guy friends. Butso far I have very few regrets. I’m actuallyquite content.Final thoughts?At first it’s weird to walk into a roomknowing that you’re the only blackperson or one of few but you do justget used to it and after a while youdon’t notice it at all. But being a blackstudent in Cambridge is just that, beinga black student in Cambridge. I’m notgoing to pretend that it’s been theeasiest transition from South London toCambridge but it has been eye openingin the most positive sense.