Meet the 2020 Telephone Campaign Callers
Our amazing team of student callers will soon be picking up the phones to get in touch with Members from across the world as we launch our 2020 Telephone Campaign. This year, the Telephone Campaign will run from 21 September to 5 October.
Our students gain a huge amount from the stories, advice and life experience from the Members that they talk with and we are immeasurably grateful to all of our alumni who are willing to participate by receiving a call.
You can meet some of the student calling team below. We hope their call is as enjoyable for you as it is for them and that you will appreciate the chance to find out about the latest College news and developments whilst potentially choosing to support Magdalene’s resident Members of today and tomorrow.
Meet the 2020 Team
Alex (2016)
What subject are you studying?
BA Modern and Medieval Languages (French and Italian), Fourth Year.
Why did you choose to study your course?
I liked the combination of honing my language skills whilst also studying history and literature which are two long-standing interests of mine.
What is the best thing about Magdalene?
The friendly and inclusive nature of the College, which is borne out by how easily friendships form across years, subjects and interests.
What do you do in your spare time/what is your favourite way to relax?
Playing the piano, reading, walking and playing and watching football or cricket.
Are you in any College or University clubs, societies or sports teams?
I was Organ Scholar at Magdalene, I also played football and cricket for the College. Outside of that I helped manage Publicity for Effective Altruism Cambridge, and I was Magdalene's representative for the Cambridge Guild, which is a peer-to-peer careers mentoring society.
What do you like most about Cambridge?
The wealth of opportunities on offer all of the time.
Describe Magdalene in three words.
Relaxed, inclusive, unpretentious.
Describe yourself in three words.
Positive, energetic, friendly.
What/who is your favourite book/author?
Currently Netherland by Joseph Harris which I've just finished reading, but overall I'd say my favourite author is Emile Zola.
What is your favourite food?
Fish and chips.
Christopher (2019)
What subject are you studying?
MPhil Medical Sciences (Clinical Neurosciences)
Why did you choose to study your course?
A deep interest in learning how to protect and preserve the central unit that controls everything else.
What is the best thing about Magdalene?
The closely-knit unit and the extremely supportive Porters.
What do you do in your spare time/what is your favourite way to relax?
I love making music.
What do you like most about Cambridge?
Cambridge is an absolute beauty filled with amazing College, chapels with stunning architecture, great minds and yet very accessible.
Describe Magdalene in three words.
Travel size family.
Describe yourself in three words.
So what's next?
What/who is your favourite book/author?
Our Children Are Coming by Chukwuemeka Ike.
What is your favourite food?
Egusi soup with Amala.
Elizabeth (2018)
What subject are you studying?
BA Classics, Third Year
Why did you choose to study your course?
I absolutely love literature, and studying Classics allows you to read and study some of the most influential literature ever written. Drama was essentially born in Ancient Greece! It's also such a broad course - you can do literature, philosophy, art, architecture, linguistics and history all in one degree! The number of options means that you can really find your niche and specialise, especially when it gets tot third year.
What is the best thing about Magdalene?
Magdalene is like a family - it doesn't matter whether you're a fresher or a third year, everyone seems to look out for everyone. It's small enough to feel like you know everybody but not too small that you feel claustrophobic!
The beach is my favourite place in College, especially in summer, but even in winter we can spend lovely afternoons there either throwing around a ball or eating take away pizzas, watching the punters go by and laughing at whatever funny "facts" they come up with about Magdalene.
What do you do in your spare time/what is your favourite way to relax?
Music is a major part of my relaxation - listening and playing. I play the flute in an orchestra, but there's also something calming about just practising on my own in my room (and hoping that I don't disturb the neighbours too much!)
I also love running - and often run along the river for the sunrise or towards west Cambridge for sunset. It's the perfect release.
Are you in any College or University clubs, societies or sports teams?
I am President of Cambridge University Wind Orchestra and play the flute. I am also Events Officer for Afrinspire Student Society and Captain of Magdalene Squash.
What do you like most about Cambridge?
I've met people who I can almost instantly feel comfortable with. People who are so passionate about the most niche things and are always keen to share their knowledge with you! In a different way from school, no one here is ashamed to pursue things they want to pursue, or be who they want to be.
Cambridge is the opposite of boring!
Describe Magdalene in three words.
Friendly, vibrant, home.
Describe yourself in three words.
Open, honest and confident.
What/who is your favourite book/author?
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and An Equal Music by Vikram Seth. And of course Harry Potter!
What is your favourite food?
Anything and everything Italian! And apple crumble.
Grace (2018)
What subject are you studying?
MEng and BA Chemical Engineering, Third Year.
Why did you choose to study your course?
I chose Chemical Engineering because I wanted to study something that combined chemistry and maths and would allow me to graduate with good career prospects.
What is the best thing about Magdalene?
The Fellows Garden next to the river is very beautiful. The College Library because it's usually quiet and the librarian is super friendly.
What do you do in your spare time/what is your favourite way to relax?
I like to take walks, re-watch my favourite TV shows (mostly reality and comedy shows) and read books. I am currently reading Pet by Awkaeke Emezi and hope to read The Deep by Rivers Solomon next.
Are you in any College or University clubs, societies or sports teams?
I am Secretary of Impact Through Innovation Cambridge (ITIC), a society that creates projects to tackle social challenges, and a member of Aim Cambridge, an initiative designed to demystify Cambridge. I hope to join Magdalene's Lacrosse team this year as I had a lot of fun playing in 1st year.
What do you like most about Cambridge?
The friends I have made here are what I love most about Cambridge. Lunch at the CEB Café is also quite nice.
Describe Magdalene in three words.
Small. Quiet. Old.
Describe yourself in three words.
Introverted. Friendly. Imaginative.
What/who is your favourite book/author?
Akwaeke Emezi
What is your favourite food?
Plantain.
Mia (2017)
What subject are you studying?
Mphil Development Studies, First Year.
What is the best thing about Magdalene?
How friendly it is! Magdalene is quite a small College so you end up getting to know most of the other students. There’s definitely a big community feel around College which is really nice to be a part of!
The beach is my favourite place in College. I love that we have a place where we can go and sit by the river and watch the punts go past. It’s especially great in the summer when it’s hot and everyone hangs out there and catches up post-exams.
Why did you choose to study your course?
I chose to study geography for my undergraduate degree because it is such a broad subject. I liked both the physical and social sciences at school and found that a Geography degree would allow me to continue to study both of them.
For my postgraduate degree, I chose Development Studies because I am particularly interested in the topics of poverty reduction and gender inclusion. Ultimately, I want a career in a job where I can make a positive difference in communities around the globe, and I felt that this course would allow me to develop a much more in-depth knowledge of how this can be done.
What do you do in your spare time/what is your favourite way to relax
In my spare time, I love to dance. I am classically trained in Ballet, Tap and Jazz and have taken dance class since I was 2 years old. I have been lucky enough to perform on a variety of stages, such as Sadler's Wells, the O2 and Her Majesty's Theatre. It is a great way to relax because I know that once I am in the studio, I don't have to worry about anything other than dance and can push any stresses I have to the back of my mind.
What do you most like about Cambridge?
I like the fact that it is so different to the stereotypical university experience. The formals, may balls and other quirky traditions make it an exciting place to be in.
Are you in any College or University clubs, societies or sports teams?
I was the JCR President for 2019 and the Freshers' Rep for 2018. I really enjoyed being a part of the JCR committee because it was a great way to make a difference in College and get to know a variety of people.
I also rowed in first year and play netball for both the mixed and ladies College teams.
Describe Magdalene in three words.
Friendly, fun, welcoming
Describe yourself in three words.
Friendly, outgoing, smiley
What/who is your favourite book/author?
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
What is your favourite food?
Pizza
Mike (2017)
What subject are you studying?
PhD Archaeology, Third Year.
Why did you choose to study your course?
It's always been a dream of mine to study archaeology, so it was a clear choice for me to continue this during my current PhD.
What is the best thing about Magdalene?
For me, there's a lot I love; the people are wonderful and it has a really great "family-feel" about it. Also, the old pretty buildings, the Fellows Garden, the riverside. The Hall - it's so pretty, especially at night in winter when it's lit by candles.
What do you do in your spare time/what is your favourite way to relax?
Movies, the odd Netflix binge, cooking, socialising with friends, reading, dining out.
Are you in any College or University clubs, societies or sports teams?
I've been a member of the Archaeological Review from Cambridge (ARC), a bi-annual, double-blind peer-reviewed, postgraduate-run journal based in the Archaeology Department. I am currently the Secretary (since 2018) and have also edited a volume of the journal.
What do you like most about Cambridge?
It's nice and small - never more than 10 minutes from anything. The Colleges are all so pretty, the Uni Library, my dept library, the River Cam, walks along the backs.
Describe Magdalene in three words.
Friendly, pretty, home
Describe yourself in three words.
Outgoing, positive, friendly.
What/who is your favourite book/author?
I couldn't pick! Historical fiction is my go-to.
What is your favourite food?
Too many to choose from! Middle Eastern, South-east Asian, Italian, British. Nope, can't pick!
Rebecca (2017)
What subject are you studying?
BA History of Art (Part I HoA, Part II English), Fourth Year.
Why did you choose to study your course?
I believed that the A-levels I took added together (English, Art, Latin and Religious Studies) equalled Art History.
What is the best thing about Magdalene?
Tricky to narrow it to one, but possibly the Chapel, which is a space that everyone is encourage to use and experience, whatever their belief or lack thereof.
The river walk along the Fellows Garden is my favourite place in College.
What do you do in your spare time/what is your favourite way to relax?
I love to run, cook, garden and read.
Are you in any College or University clubs, societies or sports teams?
When at Cambridge, I was on the committee of CULA (the Cambridge University Liberal Association), on the women's rugby team, a steward for Magdalene Chapel and involved in the Cambridge Union debating society.
What do you like most about Cambridge?
I love how Cambridge changes with the seasons. It's very loud and busy in the summer and the setting sun on the river Cam is stunning. The town suits winter too, especially near Christmas when the town is lit up - it can be quite magical.
Describe Magdalene in three words.
Cosy, open-minded, cohesive.
Describe yourself in three words.
Patient, ambitious, resourceful.
What/who is your favourite book/author?
Ian McEwan at the minute.
What is your favourite food?
Quality chocolate.
Suryansh (2018)
What subject are you studying?
MEng and BA Chemical Engineering (via Natural Sciences), Second Year.
Why did you choose to study your course?
Chemical engineering combined the topics I enjoyed most from the subjects I studied at A-Level. Moreover, the course at Cambridge specifically provides an extensive theoretical grounding alongside an understanding of how to apply this knowledge commercially - an important aspect of being a competent engineer.
What is the best thing about Magdalene?
The best thing about Magdalene is the sense of community and belonging it provides - a sentiment that I am certain will be echoed by most students at the college.
My favourite place in the College is the riverside walk! I usually take short breaks by the river during long study sessions in the library, and it never fails to leave me feeling more energized and relaxed.
What do you do in your spare time/what is your favourite way to relax?
My favourite way to unwind is heading out for a run someplace green, and this has been especially helpful during the pandemic. Alongside this, I also enjoy spending as many weekends as I can hiking in the Yorkshire Dales or Wales.
Are you in any College or University clubs, societies or sports teams?
I was captain of the college's badminton team last academic year and have been involved in the college's lacrosse team. Outside of college, I have really enjoyed attending cultural events hosted by the Cambridge University Indian Society and Hindu Society.
What do you like most about Cambridge?
My favourite thing about Cambridge is that the city centre is compact and therefore, anything one might need is easily accessible. This is something I especially appreciate after growing up in the relatively much bigger city of Liverpool.
Describe Magdalene in three words.
Friendly, relaxed and unique
Describe yourself in three words.
Driven, outgoing and positive
What/who is your favourite book/author?
The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb
What is your favourite food?
Anything spicy!