Will Chambers (Mathematics 2024)

My name is Will, and I am a first-year undergraduate Maths student from Aberdeen. My time in Cambridge so far has been really enjoyable - both with my degree and the many other activities available.

I have especially enjoyed being able to play golf with the University, and tennis and badminton with the sports clubs at Caius. I am looking forward to getting involved with the Telephone Campaign as it is a great opportunity to give back to the College for some of the amazing opportunities it has provided me.

For example, one of my supervisors is the Jan Saxl Lecturer - a position made possible by fundraising - and he has been incredibly helpful in aiding me in my learning. So I look forward to being able to improve the experiences of fellow Caians to come.

Jess Dodwell (English 2024)

Hi! I'm Jess and I'm a first-year English student at Caius. Having grown up in rural Lincolnshire, I felt immediately at home in Cambridge, with Tree Court and Harvey Court Gardens being among the best of all the green spaces that the city has to offer.

Since arriving, I’ve tried to immerse myself in all university life has to offer: I play College netball, row for Caius, write for Varsity and am on committee for the Cambridge Women in Business Society.

From the subsidised meals in College and uniquely generous bursary scheme, to the academic and travel grants, the amazing standard of care that students here enjoy is something that we don’t take for granted.

I’m really excited to share these experiences with alumni and hear about their time at Caius in turn. I can’t wait to hear from the people who help make it possible!

Poppy Frutos-Morris (Music 2024)

My name is Poppy and I'm a first-year Music student from Bristol. I have absolutely loved my time here at Cambridge so far, where I have been lucky enough to be taught by some of the University's best music supervisors and to make excellent friends.

As Caius has provided brilliant support to me through their range of College societies like rowing and funds such as the language course grant, which have enabled me to explore opportunities beyond just my degree, I am delighted to have the opportunity to give back to the College by participating in this year's Telephone Campaign.

Georgia Fullerton (English 2024)

Hello, my name is Georgia and I am studying English at Caius. I come from Lewisham in Southeast London. During my first week at Caius, if I cast my mind back to the Bridging Week which I attended, I already felt that the College was a welcoming space. As well as its architectural beauty, the student community truly feels like a safe and exciting space.

Coming from a London state school, one of my worries when coming to Cambridge was the possibility of a culture shock (despite this being based on incorrect misconceptions and stereotypes). What did help me significantly with my transition to Cambridge, and to university in general, was the possibility of the Bridging Week. During the week before Freshers' Week, I was able to familiarise myself with Cambridge, our lovely accommodation, the dining hall, along with a taste of the (initially daunting) environment of a Cambridge supervision.

Without fundraising this Bridging Week would not be possible, and I feel that it really helped my transition, allowing me to make amazing friends and connections. Fundraising is also very important for the availability of grants. As an English student I very much appreciate the academic grant, as having my own physical copies of the texts I study allows me to annotate them.

I am very much looking forward to the Telephone Campaign as I think it will be interesting, helpful and rewarding to communicate with alumni. I expect it will be inspiring and informative.

Amber Gooding (Human, Social & Political Sciences 2023)

My name is Amber and I’m from Maidstone, Kent. I do Human, Social and Political Sciences – particularly Sociology and Social Anthropology. For my subject, funding makes a huge difference; last summer I was able to go to South Korea for two weeks with funding to start thinking about dissertation ideas and experience the city of Seoul with an anthropological perspective. This summer I will also be leaving England to do dissertation research and will benefit from funding in this way too!

In terms of Caius itself, funding also makes a huge difference to the student experience. I have been part of the student union two years in a row; first as Freshers’ Representative, and second as Women’s and Non-Binary Officer. Having access to a budget as a student officer helped facilitate a range of events and initiatives that encouraged wider participation from across the student community.

As well as this, working within student societies such as the Caius Feminist and Gender Society has showed the benefits of funding to increase opportunities for us as a committee and the people who come to our events. Generally, I believe that giving students the opportunity to take part in a range of activities, especially through the support of funding, brings the student body together into a stronger community.

The upholding of Caius traditions like MDR, the Library, the May Ball, and subject dinners also does this. I am very grateful to be part of such a close-knit community which has no doubt been aided by funding.

During the Telephone Campaign, I am looking forward to discussing with alumni what they loved about Caius when they were here, and to speaking about how funding really does make the Caius experience unique and memorable for every student.

India Hansra (Law 2023)

My name is India and I'm a third-year student studying Law.

Caius has such a strong, welcoming community, and I am so excited to get started with the Telephone Campaign to raise money to support the College. So many aspects of the College, such as co-curricular, academic and travel grants, are generated via fundraising, and I want to help contribute to such a central aspect of the student experience, ensuring that every Caian can the get most out of their time at university.

Outside of my studies, I enjoy practising karate, getting involved with the Cambridge Union, writing for Varsity, socialising with friends and exploring the city.

Ami Khawaja (History 2024)

Hi, I’m Ami. I am a second-year historian, with a passion for 21st-century history. I was born and raised in Leeds, though I love to travel and enjoy living in Cambridge because it is so scenic!

In my free time, I am a hobbyist photographer and enjoy reading, watching films and travelling. I am looking forward to taking part in the Telephone Campaign as I enjoy talking to people from all different kinds of backgrounds as well.

I personally understand the impact donations can make as I am a recipient of a bursary, which enables me to focus on studying and reaching my full potential. I look forward to telling you more about it over the phone.

Cicely Levett (Education 2024)

Hi, I'm Cicely. I am a first-year undergraduate studying Education. I am from Norfolk, one of the outreach areas for Caius. I absolutely love being at Cambridge and I think that is especially due to the environment at Caius. It is such a warm and lovely college to be at - you really feel comfortable and at home here.

I especially enjoy dining in Hall, which is really encouraged by the MDR, where I can socialise at the end of the day. Funding is vitally important for students here, particularly those who may miss out on opportunities due to financial burdens.

I play football for the University, earning my Full Blue this year by playing in Varsity. Receiving the £150 Co-curricular Grant offered by the College meant I could pay my subs for the year. Without this money, it would have been much more difficult to participate in the sport at such a high level. I have also applied for the Bell-Wade Scholarship, which will further aid my development in the sport and ensure I can continue to represent the University.

I am particularly passionate about outreach and ensuring every student has the opportunity to apply and, if successful, enjoy their time without financial worries. Therefore, donations can have a big impact on students, like me, who thought Cambridge was barely a possibility, helping them make the most of their short time in this wonderful place.

The generosity of alumni also means current students can make use of the excellent facilities the College provides: our beautiful Library, sports ground, the MDR (especially regular formals) and high-quality accommodation, as a few examples I use significantly.

I am looking forward to being a part of the Telephone Campaign because I truly believe Caius is nothing without its alumni and their donations as they significantly benefit students by providing bursaries and assisting the development of the College. I am excited to hear what alumni are doing now and how Cambridge, and especially Caius, impacted that, while also comparing my experiences with theirs.

Oscar Poulson (History & Politics 2023)

Hi, I'm Oscar, a second-year History and Politics student from Southall in West London. I am absolutely loving my time at Caius - the vibrant community, the chance to meet so many new people, and the keeping of so many rich traditions that I would never have had the opportunity to experience otherwise.

I had the pleasure of being Caius JCR President last year, where I saw first-hand the difference that alumni funding makes to ensuring Caius can continue to be the special place that it always has been. As part of my role, with the support of funding, I helped to refurbish the Underbar into a communal games room with a pool table and a TV, for Caius students to relax and socialise in, as well as making sure that we continue to fund the over 25 clubs and societies that Caius has to offer.

Because of the generous donations of alumni, I’ve been able to throw myself into a university experience that is so rare and will empower me to make a difference to the world outside Cambridge’s walls!

Faris Qureshi (Modern & Medieval Languages 2022)

Hi, my name is Faris and I study Modern and Medieval Languages. I'm in my third year and looking forward to getting back to Caius after my year abroad in France and Germany. Having spent a semester at the universities of Strasbourg and Heidelberg, I have become more appreciative than ever of the extent to which the College supports its students.

The support which allows Caius students to take part in sports and societies at a subsidised price relies on gifts from Caians. Student support, access to clubs and societies, grants and more are made possible through the generous gifts, big and small, given to Caius by Caians.

The standard of the support which we receive at Caius, be it academic or pastoral, is truly world-class; Caius has become synonymous in my mind with an honest desire to provide all it can for its students, but it can only do so with your help.

Enabling our alumni to connect with current Caians through their stories and their gifts is my way of giving back to the College which has done so much for me and so many others.

Ben Sears (Law 2023)

Hello! I'm Ben, a Law student going into my third year of undergraduate study at Caius. Whilst at university, I have embraced a range of opportunities and fully immersed myself in student life. From serving on multiple society committees (including our College's own Law Society), to completing language courses, to starting Jiu-Jitsu. Many of these experiences would not be possible without the generous financial support Caius offers its students.

I understand first-hand the profound impact of this support. Being able to participate alongside my peers in activities that I would not have been able to afford otherwise has  enhanced my university experience. These formative years represent a unique window in my life beyond which I probably will not have the time or freedom to pursue these same opportunities again as professional responsibilities take over.

I am excited to speak to many of the alumni who give to the College during this Telephone Campaign to thank them and update them on Caius life today. I am now confident that I will graduate a well-rounded person with a wealth of experience and few regrets!