Last year, we were delighted to welcome PhD student Matthias to College as a Visiting Student. He is a Research Associate at the Chair of Civil Law, Medical Law and Health Law at Bucerius Law School, a PhD candidate at the University of Augsburg and the Vice President of Special Olympics Hamburg. Now back in Germany, he has taken time out of his day to share his reflections on life as a Visiting Student, along with advice for those considering joining St Edmund’s College in the future.

Why did you decide to apply as a visiting student to Cambridge?

I began my comparative law PhD in January 2023, focusing on sustainability reporting in England, Wales, and Germany. From the outset, I had hoped to experience an academic environment abroad. During my school years, I had never studied outside Germany, partly because my English skills were modest at the time. My first visit to the UK came in 2022, when I attended a friend’s wedding in Cornwall during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend. That trip left a profound impression on me, the warmth and openness of the people, the beauty of the countryside, and the ease with which one could engage in conversation in English all encouraged me to embrace the language and culture more fully.

I soon realised that participating in a research stay in the UK would allow me to engage with international scholars, enrich my doctoral research, and gain perspectives unavailable at home. During a short visit to Cambridge in May 2024, I was immediately struck by the city’s unique combination of history, beauty, and intellectual vitality. It felt like a place where every corner held centuries of scholarly endeavour, where figures such as Isaac Newton or Stephen Hawking had once walked, and where the pursuit of knowledge was visible in the streets and buildings themselves.

When I later learned that St Edmund’s College is the only Catholic foundation among Cambridge and Oxford Colleges, I felt an immediate connection. Having grown up as an altar server and actively volunteering with organisations such as Special Olympics Hamburg, I have always valued communities built on inclusion, care, and shared effort. My work with Special Olympics involved assisting athletes with intellectual disabilities during training sessions, organising events, and supporting competitions. These experiences taught me patience, empathy, and teamwork, and they strengthened my understanding of how meaningful support can transform both individual confidence and community spirit. St Edmund’s, with its welcoming and supportive environment, felt like a perfect place to combine rigorous academic work with personal values I hold dear.

Before submitting my application, I wrote an open email to St Edmund’s expressing my interest in a visiting student placement and describing my research and background. The transparency and warmth of the response from the Admissions Office, which clearly outlined the process and required documents, immediately made me feel welcome. With Professor Steffek’s generous agreement to supervise my research, I felt it was the perfect opportunity to combine rigorous academic work with a supportive and inspiring environment.

What factors should prospective visiting students consider before applying?

Choosing to research at Cambridge is a significant decision, and prospective visiting students should approach it thoughtfully. First and foremost, consider the academic alignment, which Colleges and supervisors best match your research interests, and what resources are available for your field, for example, the libraries, archives, and access to specialised journals can be decisive for a research stay. St Edmund’s, in particular, provides a quiet but intellectually stimulating environment, ideal for focused study and scholarly reflection.

Second, think about the College community. Cambridge is not only a place of learning but also a living, social ecosystem. Ask yourself what type of environment suits you best, whether you prefer a traditional setting steeped in rituals or a smaller, more inclusive community. My own experience shows that a College whose values resonate with your own can significantly enhance your stay. For me, St Edmund’s Catholic ethos and emphasis on openness created a supportive space where I could thrive academically and personally.

Third, plan for the practicalities. The application process is transparent, but attention to detail is crucial, check deadlines carefully, prepare all requested documents, and ensure clarity in your research proposal. Administrative aspects, such as accommodation, access to libraries, and University cards, should be considered ahead of time, as they can affect how smoothly your stay begins.

Fourth, reflect on your personal goals and mindset. Cambridge rewards curiosity, initiative, and resilience. Be prepared to navigate unfamiliar academic traditions, manage your research independently, and engage proactively with faculty and peers. Students who take advantage of seminars, workshops, and informal discussions often gain insights that go beyond the classroom. Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of social engagement, forming connections, participating in College traditions, and exploring the city can enrich your intellectual experience in unexpected ways.

What did you imagine Cambridge would be like before arriving, and what surprised you most?

Before my arrival, I imagined Cambridge as almost monastic, a city of quiet scholarship, where precision, formality, and adherence to tradition governed every interaction. I expected the academic atmosphere to be rigid, with students immersed in study but somewhat reserved in social interactions. In reality, Cambridge was far more dynamic and human than I had anticipated. What surprised me most was the openness, warmth, and curiosity of the people. From fellow students to faculty and administrative staff, everyone was approachable and eager to engage in meaningful dialogue. Discussions, whether about law, sustainability, politics, or philosophy, were candid yet respectful. I realised quickly that the city thrives on the exchange of ideas, where critical thought is encouraged and intellectual freedom is valued above mere formality. Another unexpected delight was the sense of intellectual freedom. While I anticipated a culture focused solely on correctness and tradition, I found that scholars here encourage exploring unconventional questions and even challenging established assumptions. The balance of rigorous standards and openness to new perspectives created a uniquely inspiring environment.

Can you share a memorable experience from your time at St Edmund’s College?

My first week at St Edmund’s remains unforgettable. Upon arrival, the Porters kindly showed me around the College late in the evening, familiarising me with the grounds, the dining hall, and communal spaces. The next day, receiving my temporary College card, and soon after, the official University card, was a surreal moment. Holding it felt like a tangible confirmation that I truly belonged in this remarkable academic community. During my stay, I dedicated myself fully to research. I wrote two essays related to my doctoral topic and completed my German-language textbook on the subject of study abroad experiences, a project I had been developing for some time.