A year to remember for exchange students

St Catharine’s is pleased to support a year-long exchange programme with Heidelberg University in Germany, which enables a St Catharine’s student to study at Heidelberg and a student from Heidelberg to join our community. This programme is in addition to exchanges that the College runs with other partner institutions, other exchanges established by the University of Cambridge and the year abroad included in the Modern and Medieval Languages Tripos.

To help guide anyone considering applying in 2025, we caught up with the students who are currently participating in the Heidelberg exchange. 

From Catz to Heidelberg

Anna Grayson (a third-year Music undergraduate) moved to Germany in September 2024 after successfully applying to spend a year at Heidelberg University. Anna’s first taste of life in Heidelberg came over a year ago, after she was selected for a month-long summer exchange in August 2023. Read the report about Anna’s experience in 2023.

She explained, “I wanted to improve my German, in part because I am considering studying or working as a musician in Germany after graduating from Catz. I had such an amazing time in August 2023 that I really wanted to return! 

“I’ve had a wonderful first couple of months in Heidelberg. As it’s the oldest University in Germany and surrounded by stunning views, I couldn’t ask for a more picturesque place to study. I have been busy with lectures and seminars (all in German!), with subjects ranging from Mahler’s Symphonies to terrorism in post-war German literature, but have found time at the weekends to explore the amazing countryside – it’s incredible to live at the base of two small mountains.” 

During her time at St Catharine’s, Anna was closely involved in the musical life of the College, with highlights including choir tours to Rome and Hungary, conducting concerts with the Trumpington Street Orchestra in the McGrath Centre and performing on recorder for a recital in the Master's Lodge. She has continued to be involved in choirs and concerts in Heidelberg.

“I’m part of both the main University choir (Camerata Carolina) and the University chamber choir (Capella Carolina) and am looking forward to travelling round Southern Germany performing various concerts with them over the next few months. 

“One of the most enjoyable aspects of my experience is the opportunity for immersion in other cultures. Not only has my German improved by constant interaction with Germans, but I also live with two Italians and a Montenegrin, and we have a lot of fun learning about each other’s cultures.”

After spending time away from St Catharine’s, Anna has some words of advice for Heidelberg students during their exchange to Cambridge:

“Cambridge, like Heidelberg, is such a beautiful city, so do try and find some time to explore it outside of all the work! I'd really recommend trying formal dinners and brunches at lots of different Colleges and going on long walks (or rowing) down the Cam.”

From Heidelberg to Catz

Judith Groenke majors in English at Heidelberg University (where the course encompasses a mix of language, literature and culture), with a minor in German language and literature. She has joined St Catharine’s in October 2024 and will be taking papers offered by the Faculty of English. 

She commented, “I applied for the Catz exchange because I wanted to experience life in the UK beyond the glimpses that I got when I spent a year at a British boarding school. I was also intrigued by the curriculum offered by the Faculty of English, with so much variety and so many interesting papers. Literature and language are always paired when English is taught in Germany but I now have a chance to delve deeper into English literature!

“I am enjoying my first paper ‘English Literature 1870–Today’, and all the engaging lectures and points of interest that this period covers. I’m already looking forward to papers later in the academic year on ‘Love, Gender & Sexuality’, ‘Forms of Prose 1936–56’ and Shakespeare. I can’t miss the chance to expand my knowledge of Shakespeare while I’m in England, and I’m lucky to be in the same College as expert Dr Hester Lees-Jeffries (2006), who has a great reputation among students.”

Judith is also enjoying the different aspects of College life offered to St Catharine’s students:

“I was given an incredibly warm welcome by the Catz community and had plenty of opportunities to meet new people: from invitations to join Freshers’ events and matriculation dinner, to being assigned my own ‘College family’ led by second years who provide guidance as our ‘College parents’. I’m living in the Hobson’s building – which has a charm all its own – and I can look out of my window on to Trumpington Street in the heart of Cambridge. 

“Many of these experiences have been new to me! There’s no ceremonial start to a degree in Germany ­– you just sign up and get on with it – and it’s typical for students to rent privately and on one’s own like I had been doing in Heidelberg. 

“Most sports clubs and societies in Heidelberg are not organised by the University, so I’ve enjoyed having so many activities to choose from. I decided to try lacrosse with the friendly Catz team and joined the Cambridge Union because I was involved in debates back home.”

As someone familiar with Heidelberg, Judith has some festive words of advice for Anna:

“Heidelberg is a beautiful city throughout the year but Anna really shouldn’t miss the Christmas market, which is handily located right in front of the University. If she’s partial to mulled wine, then look out for the University cafeteria serving it at a price that will be a lot cheaper than the market!”