DAY 1162-1179

Nov 7 - 24

1) Absolutely unbelievable - if I had to pick two words to sum up the past two weeks or so! I've been busy as always, but I managed to find time to join the Cambridge University International Model United Nations (CUIMUN) XXV 2019 - a three-day conference at the renowned University of Cambridge. Of course, I wasn't going alone - we were part of a delegation from King's College London United Nations Association (or KCL UNA for short). Essentially, the Model United Nations is where delegates, assigned to represent a country or association, come together to debate on contentious issues affecting everyone - mimicking the actual United Nations conference. At the end of the day, we proposed solutions in written form, which are voted as "draft resolutions" to a problem. The goal is to get a resolution passed - essentially translating that draft to proper legislation.

2) I had been allocated Columbia University, and my committee was the Global Health Cluster - with the topic on solving the organ transplantation shortage crisis, while simultaneously reducing organ trafficking. I've debated on these before, so it was all about researching papers and refreshing my memory. Anyway, on the day of departure, the KCL delegation met up at Liverpool St. Station, where we took the 10.58am train to Cambridge. I've never been before, so it was a totally new experience for me, especially for a town that is so steeped in history and academia. Our first stop was Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge - where we registered and got our delegate lanyards.

3) After lunch at a beautiful church/cafe, we attended the opening ceremony, officiated by The Right Honourable The Lord Jay of Ewelme GCMG, in the famous Debating Chamber of the Cambridge Union Society. To think that so many past speakers and ministers have given speeches and debated here is absolutely mind-blowing. Afterwards, we were taken by our Chairs and Co-Chairs to our respective rooms for debate. The Global Health Cluster conference was at Bewden Room, Jesus College, Cambridge. After an informal self-introduction session, it was time to get down to business. To cut a (really!) long story short, myself and two other delegates (WADEM and Relief International) ended up being sponsors for a draft resolution. (that's a good thing because it means you authored the resolution and are responsible for defending it and seeing it pass voting procedure)

4) By the third day, there were two resolutions, one from our side, and another rival resolution. The outcome of the voting procedure was one against, zero abstentions, and a majority in favour of our resolution - i.e. our resolution had actually passed! It was the result of two straight nights researching and deliberating on how to set up our points and defend against counterarguments. Anyway, clapping was in order - so of course it was time to celebrate! While the others went for lunch, I went sight-seeing around the various colleges, including King's, Trinity, St. John's etc. It was such a rush, but at the same time, it was an opportunity not to be missed. Honestly, there is something special about how incredibly well the buildings have been maintained, not to mention the rich history and culture that permeates such a fine establishment.

5) To wrap things up, there was an official closing ceremony - sadly, many of the veterans (especially the Chairs and organisers) had this down as their final conference! We took a group photo just in front of the Debating Chamber, and then it was time to head back. Unfortunately, it would have been impossible to coordinate such a large group to take the bus back to the station, so we did the next best thing - walk! Took the 7.32pm train back, and finally reached home. The opportunity to visit Cambridge, and to take part in such a prestigious conference, is something I shall not soon forget.

6) That's basically it for this edition of the blog. Do keep scrolling (and scrolling, and scrolling...) down if you are interested in some lovely pictures of the constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge. As always, thank you very much for visiting my blog, and have a lovely week ahead. Cheers!

Cambridge University - more beautiful than I could have imagined :D

At the beautiful New Court, St. John's College, Cambridge

Named after the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, this Grade I listed bridge was said to be loved by Queen Victoria more than any other spot in the city. Also, the late Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew apparently loved this spot too...

(and with a view like that, who am I to argue?)

St. John's College

Panoramic view of Kings's College, Cambridge (with King's College Chapel on the right)

King's College Chapel

The famous River Cam

  

Literally picture-postcard perfect <3

(The Backs: King's College Chapel and Clare College Cambridge)

If I lived here I'd punt everyday too XD

Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge - what a surreal moment to be here finally!

King's College Chapel :)

 

What a sight - inside King's College Chapel

Delegate of GHC (Global Health Cluster) representing Columbia University at the 

Cambridge University International Model United Nations (CUIMUN) XXV

King's College London UNA Delegation 2019!!

Liverpool St. Station on a cold, frosty morning...

Inside the station

What a busy day today - rush hour at Liverpool St. Station

 Quick breakfast at The Pasty Shop - inside Liverpool St. Station

When I was younger I thought they always misspelled the word "pastries" XD

Train to Cambridge - Platform 5 let's go!

Cambridge - home to Anglia Ruskin University 

(as opposed to another perhaps more famous university)

Cambridge railway station

Our first stop was Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre (also known as the Round Church)

St. John's College (St. John's Street side entrance)

The city is literally made up of the constituent colleges of Cambridge University

I cannot get past how beautiful the architecture is around the town

Lunch was at this beautiful church-cafe (Michaelhouse Cafe)

From l-r: Agnese, Henry, Kirsten, JP, Harsh, Myself

Cheese scone for lunch - cuz why not?

Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge

King's College, Cambridge - with the majestic King's College Chapel in the foreground

 The "Chronophage" (literally "Time Eater") is actually a clock, conceived as a work of art depicting a huge insectoid-like creature (probably a grasshopper or locust) "eating" time away...

Found outside Taylor Library, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge

Cambridge University Students' Union

Cambridge Union Society and the Cambridge University Students' Union are unfortunately not the same, as we discovered to our detriment by arriving late...

Cambridge Union Society :)

Inside the world-renowned Cambridge Union Society's Debating Chamber

Baron Jay of Ewelme, GCMG gives the officiating speech to more than 500 attendees

Jesus College, Cambridge - where my committee (Global Health Cluster) would convene for conference

At a nearby pub while waiting for our room to be set up

With Kristina (delegate of WADEM) and Justine (delegate of Relief International) at a nearby pub

The view outside our conference room (the Bewden Room)

Representing the delegate of Columbia University was yours truly

As you can see, the King's College London UNA did a great job finding us a place to stay - this looks stunning! :)

Delegation dinner at "Butch Annies" burger bar restaurant 

T'was a magnificent burger if there ever was one!

St. John's College, Cambridge at night time :)

Wesley Methodist Church, on a crisp Sunday morning

Great St. Mary's Church, Cambridge

Walked all the way here to get a nice shot of the chapel in the morning :)

Centenary of the foundation of Rotary (2005)

Trinity College, Cambridge (it was closed to visitors today)

A closer look at the architecture @ St. John's College, Cambridge

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre a.k.a. The Round Church - a Grade I listed building

West Court of Jesus College, Cambridge

Main entrance to Jesus College

Jesus College, Cambridge

Barry Flanagan's Bronze Horse, the centrepiece of the front quad at Jesus College

Inside King's College, Cambridge (this is the iconic King's College Chapel - which I'd wager is the first thing people think of when they envision Cambridge

What a privilege to walk around exploring the many colleges

Truly a magnificent sight to behold! <3

Presenting the largest fan vault structure in the world!

 Adoration of the Magi, the centre altarpiece (by Flemish Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens)

I still cannot get over how beautiful the stained windows look - as well as the magnificent fan vault!

I love how the spectrum of colours form from the stained glass windows

Adoration of the Magi (by various artists)

The serene River Cam

Everyone's favourite past time here - punting! :)

Apparently, boat races along the River Cam are a huge thing - with colleges competing fiercely for domination!

Close to what people imagine when they think of Cambridge haha

Face says it all - I rushed here in between lunch breaks so I could get some nice snaps of the various colleges :)

What a calm and peaceful environment to contemplate life's finer pleasures...

The back entrance to Trinity College, Cambridge

It is really impressive to see the symmetry of trees and their bright gold colours at the turn of autumn

If I were rich, I'd punt my way up and down the River Cam everyday too haha (and make money charging people for boat rides too*)

A sneak peak inside Trinity College, Cambridge

The Great Court, Trinity College Cambridge

Formal dinner at Robinson College, Cambridge

Le menu - CUIMUN XXV Annual Formal Dinner

Hummus, charred red pepper and mixed bean falafel for starters

(also note the cutlery layout - I certainly didn't have time to learn proper etiquette and used my hands instead XD)

Our table for tonight

All smiles after a delicious entreé

Main course: Chargrilled fillet of chicken

Caramel and brambly apple cheesecake

- what a way to finish the meal! ^^

 It wouldn't be complete without a group photo post-dinner...

Robinson College chocolate mints and tea

An interesting experience to say the least

Many rules and regulations were loosened to accommodate delegates from literally all across the world

Daytime photo of our AirBnb accommodation - it's the one on the right

St. John's College

Well, the sign says where I'm going next...

Today was such a sunny day to view the iconic Bridge of Sighs

Named after the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, this Grade I listed bridge was said to be loved by Queen Victoria more than any other spot in the city. Also, the late Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew apparently loved this spot too...

It truly is a lovely walk around any campus in Cambridge

Last picture of St. John's College I swear XD

You know the university is old if it has a quincentennial (500th year) gate

Close up view of the centre stage

Back to business as usual - AKC screening with the doctor himself - at the Strand campus

Prof. Ammar Al-Chalabi gave his talk on genetics of complex neurodegenerative disease today

Yes, I agree - that is a complex disease

Humans apparently have less coding DNA than the rice we eat!