Sunday was a big day for British sport and an even bigger day for St Edmund’s College, Cambridge as we prepared to meet and greet our second group of students for their two week stay in this historical and academically renowned city.

The team worked hard all day to ensure that our new students settled in and got off to the best start on their summer course. All of our counsellors were prepped and ready, as they waited at the gates to help students to their rooms with their luggage.

At 3pm, refreshments were served outside and students were able to chat to their new friends over tea and cake. At first, it was clear that everyone was a little nervous, however once students began to speak to one another about their journeys to Cambridge, everyone started to relax and come out of their shell a little.

The welcome talk followed, with our campus staff offering students and parents alike information about the schedule for the coming two weeks, as well as a chance to talk a little about Cambridge culture. It was also a good chance for the staff to make all of the students aware of the expectations of their programmes, particularly emphasising the importance of showing sensitivity and respect to their international peers.

Then parents bid goodbye to their children and all students headed to the Dining Hall for their first meal together in College. By 8pm, everyone knew the house rules and programme structure thanks to our induction talk, and the real fun could begin with a wide range of imaginative icebreakers led by the counsellors. After wink-murdering, splatting and human-knotting to their hearts’ content, students were satisfied that the proverbial ice had been well and truly broken, and there was just enough time for some board games and table tennis before evening register and bed.