I like having a student-run bar,
because it keeps it friendly and cheap!
Telephone Campaign
Our students have been phoning Emma members all around the world, every year, for nearly 30 years. These phone calls are a unique opportunity for members to hear Emma news and updates, to share memories, insights and advice with current students, and to hear about the incredible difference supporting the College makes.
Find out more about this year's team of student callers below!
Miles (2nd Year, Geography)
Best thing about Emma?
I really enjoy spending time in Fiona’s and the neighbouring Chapman’s Garden. Fiona’s is a nice space to study in with lots of seating, sofas and plants. It also serves as an area for catching up with friends, doing collaborative work and reading on the sofas. In the summer, it is lovely to sit in the Chapman’s Garden too, which is my favourite outdoor area in college. I have fond memories from Easter term last year, when I spent a lot of time reading under the large weeping willow tree. This was made even more special when the ducklings were around!
Hobbies and interests
My main hobbies outside of academic study are music and travelling. I’m one of the organ scholars here at Emma and so I spend quite a bit of my spare time practising in the chapel, rehearsing with the choir and playing for services. I also play the cello, which allowed me to be part of orchestras when I was younger. Outside of term-time, you can often find me anywhere except the UK! I especially love travelling around Europe in my car.
What are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to hearing stories about what life was like at Emma and to see how the college has been shaped by those who came before me. There is so much history here and I’m sure alumni will have lots of memories (good and bad) about their time! I’m also keen to hear about the journeys of alumni after they left Emma.
Interesting fact about you?
I’ve had not one, but two encounters with royalty at musicals. Last year, I played keys for Sister Act at the ADC Theatre and, as patron of the theatre, HRH Prince Edward visited for a private viewing of a section of the show. And earlier this year, I was sat diagonally behind Her Majesty The Queen at a performance of Operation Mincemeat in the West End!
Elisa (5th Year, Architecture)
Best thing about Emma?
I am very grateful for the immensely supportive and friendly atmosphere here at Emma. It’s difficult to choose just one favourite thing about the college because every corner has its own charm, but if I had to pick, it would have to be the Paddock. It’s easily one of the best spots here, with its open green space and, most of all, the sight of groups of ducks and their ducklings waddling around the pond!
Hobbies and interests
Staying connected to my culture is really important to me, which is why I love being part of cultural societies like the Bangla Society. As President, I’ve really enjoyed helping to organise events that bring people together and celebrate our traditions. It’s always so rewarding to see everyone having a great time. Outside of that, I also try to make time for badminton and volleyball on weekends.
What are you most looking forward to?
In the almost five years that I have been at Emma, I’ve seen so many changes within the college, which makes me wonder just how different it must have been for past alumni. I can’t wait to hear their stories and get a glimpse into what Emma was like through their eyes. It’s such a unique opportunity to connect with people who once walked the same paths and sat in the same spaces, yet had completely different experiences. I’m really looking forward to these conversations and learning more about the college’s past through the memories of those who were here before me.
Interesting fact about you?
I’ve always loved learning new languages, and over the years, I’ve managed to pick up six. There’s something so exciting about being able to connect with different cultures through language, and I’m currently working on adding 3 more to the list.
Katie (3rd Year, Medicine)
Best thing about Emma?
My favourite thing about Emma has to be the community. Whether it’s through the wide range of societies or the shared spaces around college, there’s always something going on which creates such a lively and welcoming atmosphere.
Hobbies and interests
Outside my degree, I love playing sports. In particular, I enjoy playing hockey for college and university teams, which is lots of fun and a great way to meet new people.
What are you most looking forward to?
I’m really looking forward to speaking to previous students about their experiences at Emma and sharing some of my own. It will be fascinating to learn how the college has evolved over time.
Interesting fact about you?
Although I’m studying medicine, I’m currently intercalating in psychology, which has been a great opportunity to explore something slightly different.
Madeleine (2nd Year, English)
Best thing about Emma?
My favourite thing about Emma has to be Fiona’s, the college café. Its such a lively hub for the college where I often base myself to work since I’m guaranteed to run into plenty of friends and acquaintances. It’s situated in the beautiful Chapman’s Garden so on a nice day the glass walls make for a lovely sunlit view of one of college’s many lovely green spaces. Plus, the coffee is great!
Hobbies and interests
I really love art, portraiture specifically, and go regularly to life drawing sessions ran by the university. My sporting interests are quite eclectic, I love running and go to Emma’s running society every week, as well as making the most of yoga in the chapel, attending kickboxing and even cold-water swimming! Cambridge has such a vibrant artistic scene, so I often attend poetry readings or masterclasses as well as student theatre at the ADC, which I review for the Tab.
What are you most looking forward to?
I anticipate that it will be so fascinating to communicate with various alumni of Emmanuel College and gauge how demographics and experiences have changed and stayed constant over the years. I think it will be really fascinating to situate how alumni’s time at Emmanuel has informed their life and careers and stayed an affirming presence. I’m really looking forward to this aspect of working on the Telephone Campaign as I think it will be eye-opening and informative.
Interesting fact about you?
My birthday is New Year’s Eve!
Ebenezer (4th Year, Modern and Medieval Languages)
Best thing about Emma?
My favourite thing about Emma is all the extracurricular opportunities it offers. From various music bands to a wide range of sports, to yarn soc, Emma has it all.
Hobbies and interests
I like to act, having performed in around 10 Cambridge shows while I’ve been here, as well as singing in Emma Jazz band, running and playing tennis – though it has been a while since I last picked up a racket!
What are you most looking forward to?
Having met many Emma alumni at previous Emmanuel Society events, I am looking forward to hearing more of their fun stories and to give back to this community.
Interesting fact about you?
I have a twin called Emmanuel; we ended up being in BBC news for myself getting into Cambridge and him Oxford!
Lorna (2nd Year, Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic)
Best thing about Emma?
My favourite thing about Emma is my friends – I am so lucky to have come into a community of amazing people who are supportive, kind and intelligent, and I always love seeing friendly faces while I walk around college. I also have to mention the ducks!
Hobbies and interests
Outside of study, I am heavily involved in the theatre scene, mostly doing standup comedy at Smokers or performing in comedic plays. My most recent project was assistant directing Footlights Spring Revue, which was the most amazing fun! I have also been the Secretary of ECSU for the last two years, which I have immensely enjoyed as I love the feeling of being able to give back to the Emma community. I am also the President of Cambridge Rape Justice, which is a society aiming to fundraise for anti-rape charity and forge a community of sexual violence survivors in Cambridge.
What are you most looking forward to?
I am looking forward to chatting to alumni – I find it so inspirational to hear from the people who came before me, and to look to the future especially as I think about my plans for after Cambridge. As someone who is enthusiastic about fundraising, I am also immensely keen on learning how to fundraise and supporting Emma in its future objectives.
Interesting fact about you?
I was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021 as part of the Barnes Children’s Literature Festival.
Tejal (3rd Year, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology)
Best thing about Emma?
I love how central Emma is!! No matter where you want to go in Cambridge(shire), there’ll probably be a bus directly from one of the bus stops around our college to your destination. But once you are inside the college, you can not say that we are in the city centre - the college grounds are extremely beautiful and peaceful.
Hobbies and interests
I’ve always kept myself busy with many things at a time but recently it has been reviewing movies on IMDb. I’ve watched more than 900 movies and TV series in 4 different languages and reviewing them is very satisfying because I think about the projects from the perspective of both the audience and the production/writing team. I’ve also continued some of my previous endeavours like gardening. Last summer I spent some time understanding the science of gardening by reading a book of the same name. It is quite satisfying to implement some of the advice and notice the changes as described in the book.
What are you most looking forward to?
I’ve spent close to 3 years in Emma, and I am in love with this place. I know for a fact that after graduating and moving out, I will miss being a student here and would want to share my stories from here with everyone. I am pretty sure that the alumni share the same feeling, and I’m excited to hear from them their stories about their time here at Emma as students. I am also excited to give them updates about our college like the new accommodations, new societies, May Balls etc. I love having conversations with people from different backgrounds and experiences and I am looking forward to taking away a lot of admiration and respect for this institution through this Telephone Campaign.
Interesting fact about you?
I’m passionate about tackling climate change through science and technology. Before starting University, I started writing articles and book reviews on LinkedIn about recent sustainability related events and news. Although I’ve had to take a temporary break from it for the time being to focus on my degree, I am already planning my comeback articles with some advanced and improved approaches.
Astrid (2nd Year, Social Anthropology)
Best thing about Emma?
The people! I think it’s easy to brush off the ‘friendliest college’ label as something which everyone would say about their college, but I really do think that we have a wonderful community, and I have felt welcomed here from the moment I arrived.
Hobbies and interests
Since I arrived at Emma I have been involved with ECSU, last year as LGBTQ+ officer and now as President. Both of the roles have been super rewarding, allowing me to maintain the lovely environment we have at Emma, ensure that our students are getting the support they need, pushing for changes in various committees and of course working in our little shop. I have also always had a passion for the arts, especially photography – so I have shot various student plays, concerts and really anyone who is happy to have a camera pointed at them! A more recent hobby I have taken up this year is coxing with Emma boat club, so I spend a lot of early mornings shouting at a crew of rowers and trying my best to steer around the bends of the Cam (whilst often taking in the beautiful sunrises over the water).
What are you most looking forward to?
I am really looking forward to connecting with alumni who may have very different paths to my own, but who I can bond with over our mutual linkage of Emma. I find the various routes people have taken to and from Cambridge really interesting, so learning more is a big motivator for doing this campaign. It will also be really rewarding to know that this campaign will be directly benefitting our students – the people who I have worked for the last year and a half to represent and advocate for!
Interesting fact about you?
I had never met anyone who had been to Oxbridge before arriving here, so I am very passionate about supporting outreach for students from state-schools and other disadvantaged backgrounds!
Ethan (2nd Year, MML)
Best thing about Emma?
My favourite thing about Emma has to be paddock, having a big green space right in college is amazing. I love playing lawn tennis and swing ball there in the summer and have definitely had to fish a few tennis balls out of the pond. Even when the weather isn’t so warm it’s still nice to be able to see the ducks and just relax for a minute.
Hobbies and interests
I really do love languages and beyond studying Spanish, German, and Modern Greek for my degree, I also take weekly Polish and Icelandic classes in the faculty which are lots of fun. I am the communications officer for the University French Society and now one of the two Green and Ethical Officers in the Emmanuel College Student Union which has given me the chance to organise gardening events for students alongside the gardeners at Emma, they have had excellent turnout so far. I also love playing poker and do so every Thursday in the college society, but no stakes!
What are you most looking forward to?
It will be interesting to get to connect with alumni who have had a different experience than me at Emma. Not just because they have most likely done different degrees and taken part in different societies, but more so because Emma has a long history and is constantly changing, enabled by schemes like these! I want to be able to work together to find out what has changed and what has stayed the same over time.
Interesting fact about you?
I have had a short story of mine published in English and two poems published, one in Spanish and the other in German!
Katie (2nd Year, History)
Best thing about Emma?
I love the sense of community we have in Emma; it always feels so welcoming to arrive back at college after a long day and spend time in our great common spaces of Fiona’s Cafe and the bar. Easter Term with everyone eating their brunch, playing tennis and reading on the paddock was my favourite thing about college in my first year. I feel very lucky that I have the rare opportunity to live on college site throughout my time here unlike in other colleges, and I think this aspect helps Emma integrate the year groups more and retain that friendly atmosphere.
Hobbies and interests
I really enjoy team sports and play in college teams of lacrosse, hockey and netball. I try to spend my time outdoors - I like camping and wild swimming (including in the Cam!), and often with my family attempt to complete UK hiking trails. Most of all, I love adventurous travel, and spent a month of my Long Vacation after first year backpacking the Caucasus with a college friend.
What are you most looking forward to?
I am most looking forward to learning more about other Emma members' experiences in our college and sharing my own - I want to hear those anecdotes from their university days and see what might have changed!
Interesting fact about you?
I have a rare copy of a Viv Richards' Nike advertisement poster on my wall as my grandpa used to be his sports media representative!
Polly (3rd year, Music)
Best thing about Emma?
The people! There’s such a fantastic sense of community here. It’s also a beautiful place to live – it feels like an oasis in the middle of the city.
Hobbies and interests
I spend most of my time outside of my degree doing more music, and I play the viola in lots of chamber groups and orchestral projects across the university. Outside of music I cox for the college boat club, so when I’m not thinking about the viola I’m usually thinking about bumps. In the past year I’ve also been getting into running, and despite my previous hatred for cross country (and PE in general) I’m loving it!
What are you most looking forward to?
I’m really excited to hear about previous Emma students’ time at the college. We have such a rich history, but so little time here ourselves as undergraduates, so I can’t wait to hear about what has changed (and what hasn’t!) within the college.
Interesting fact about you?
I was born in the US but moved to the UK before I turned one. When it came to matriculation day, I realised about two minutes before signing the college matriculation book that I didn’t know how to spell my own birth state of Connecticut. Luckily after a quick google I was enlightened to the fact that it has three Cs rather than two, a fact I struggle to remember to this day.
Frances (2nd Year, Economics)
Best thing about Emma?
One of my favourite things is that I’m able to live onsite for all 3 years of my undergraduate if I want; it really facilitates Emma feeling like a home, as everything I need is close by, whether I fancy a living room (Fiona’s cafe), a dining room or a garden (paddock). The whole college has such a cosy vibe to it and I feel very safe here.
Hobbies and interests
I seem to pick up lots of different hobbies all the time but the one I am most dedicated to is constantly practising and improving my yoga skills – recently I led a charity yoga event, and it was so fun leading people through a sequence I’d made! Other than that, I’m a big crafter, it doesn’t matter so much what craft it is but anything involving a glue gun, and a grand vision is my favourite.
What are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to hearing the experiences of alumni and comparing them with my own to see how Emma has maybe changed or stayed the same. The Emma community has certainly evolved a lot since 1584 and it’s interesting to reflect on the social history of the college.
Interesting fact about you?
Last term I was in a comedy event about bonkers lecturers and as part of my act I wore 2 suits and a full waterproof jumpsuit!
Spotlights
Bathrooms in Old Court
Old Court was built in 1634 and gives the impression of having changed very little since. Ron Gray’s guide to College buildings describes it as a simple building and as ‘one of the most pleasing in College’.
Alex, Sam & Tess – Link Ethiopia
Sam, Tess and Alex, three friends in their first year, reading Economics (Sam and Tess) and Classics (Alex), taught English in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia, with support from a local charity called Link Ethiopia.
Professor Alex Jeffrey, Geography
As Fellows at Emmanuel we often find ourselves dividing our time between different professional activities: teaching, administration and research. Term-time is, as would be expected, a time of frantic teaching and pastoral care; vacations offer an opportunity to research and reflect; across both we plan future research projects and teaching courses. Over the decade that I have been fortunate enough to be part of the college one word has brought these disparate activities together: access.
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