The Cambridge Foundation Year: a stepping stone to opportunity
How Ami Khawaja took a leap of faith and landed on her feet.
Now, thanks to this success, I’ve got in the habit of applying for whatever takes my interest, regardless. Because you never know where life will take you.
Ami Khawaja (Gonville & Caius 2022)
Ami Khawaja (Gonville & Caius 2022) completed the Foundation Year in its inaugural year. Three years on and a finalist historian, she reflects on her journey so far and looks towards her career goals.
Ami credits her self-confidence and skill set to her time at Cambridge, where she received invaluable guidance and tested her resilience.
But it took a leap of faith to apply.
Cambridge: another country?
Attending a state school in Leeds, Ami had never visited Cambridge until a month before she applied to the Foundation Year.
Ami’s school underperformed in GCSE attainment, and then she was diagnosed with ADHD and autism during her gap year. “I wasn’t always able to harness my full academic potential at school as I lacked the tools, as well as the knowledge about my disabilities.”
And, when she considered applying to Cambridge, she thought it might be unrealistic: “I had this lingering thought in the back of my mind that Cambridge was only for certain people, and I wouldn’t fit in.”
But social media helped to challenge Ami’s doubts. “I saw a diverse range of people at Cambridge, including people of colour, talking about their experiences.”
I thought to myself, ‘What do you have to lose?
Making the dream a reality: outreach and guidance pave the path
After setting her mind on applying to Cambridge, Ami stumbled across the Foundation Year website.
Supported by philanthropy, the Foundation Year is a unique initiative that equips students to continue to a wide range of degree courses in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Sixth-form students can apply for this immersive course, which prepares those selected for the challenging academic life at Cambridge. Foundation Year students experience Cambridge’s style of teaching and gain a feel for the College community and Cambridge’s societies.
Whether they stay at Cambridge or continue their studies elsewhere, upon completing the Foundation Year, they receive a recognised qualification, a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) from the University of Cambridge, which helps to set them up for successful study and careers in a range of fields.
Further support from Apply: Cambridge emboldened Ami to pursue her application to Cambridge on the Foundation Year. “Matching with my mentor, who studied at Cambridge from a state school background, helped me a lot. It reassured me to hear from someone who was also once a nervous applicant and understood the process.”
The Foundation Year also increased Ami’s self-assurance to apply, despite the competitive application process. “The monthly webinars on different stages of the application process equipped me with knowledge and meant that I saw a friendly face from Cambridge on the calls.”
Ultimately, Ami became more confident in her decision to study at Cambridge.
It was a great way to experience being a Cambridge student without making a full commitment.
Thriving through support and resilience
Ami’s biggest achievement was progressing from the Foundation Year to her history undergraduate degree. “It was quite daunting as part of the first Foundation Year cohort. Passing that was my proudest moment.”
“The experience helped me build a lot of resilience. I’ve learnt to prioritise my workload by what is urgent and most important. I’ve also learnt the importance of asking for help and extensions when required.”
Regardless of a student’s background, these are vital ‘life skills’ that are seldom obvious starting out.
Having studied a range of humanities in the Foundation Year, Ami chose History for her degree. “I wanted to study something that I would enjoy throughout my time at Cambridge.”
The wide range of papers available in Cambridge’s history tripos has allowed Ami to explore a variety of interests. “I really enjoyed my paper last year, which was on American History since World War One. There was such a variety of topics and it’s fascinating to learn about events whose consequences still reverberate today.”
Equipped with the knowledge about and support for her disabilities, Ami has thrived in Cambridge’s academically intense environment. “I’ve struggled in the past with staying consistent, so I’m proud of myself for balancing my workload and overcoming any challenges along the way.”
The support for Ami's Cambridge success did not end at disability resources: “Thanks to the funding available, I can pursue interests outside of my academics, so I don’t ever feel like I’m burning out. It helps me to maintain a work-life balance.”
“I was able to pick up my love for photography again, using my College’s hobby grant to buy a new camera. I love capturing moments and memories, and Cambridge is incredibly scenic!”
She has built a portfolio and expanded her creative skills professionally. “This year alone, I was commissioned to shoot six major events at Cambridge, including May Balls!”
Pastoral support has proved crucial for Ami. “My tutor and Director of Studies have supported me whenever I’ve had an issue. I’ve also found the University Counselling System helpful as it’s so normal to be bogged down, whether by exam stress or by something outside of studies. It helps to know there’s always someone there.”
Halfway Hall symbolised how far she’s come academically and personally.
It’s easy to lose sight of how much of an achievement it is to study at Cambridge and how special the University is.
A community at Cambridge and beyond
Thanks to the mentoring Ami received, she now supports incoming Foundation Year students. “Some students set up a Foundation Year Society, which has arranged for us to be ‘College parents’.”
“I usually meet up with current Foundation Year students for informal coffee chats. I ask them how they’re settling in and I give them study tips.”
“I recently had coffee with a student who progressed from the Foundation Year and is in her first year of her history degree. She struggled with the jump from the Foundation Year to Tripos, so I shared some of my notes, sent her a template for taking lecture notes, and proofread her essay.
These students are capable, but they just need some reassurance as the supervision process can be intimidating.”
She also supports Foundation Year applicants by sharing her experiences and insights from Cambridge on social media: "A Foundation Year student recognised me from my content and thanked me for helping her. I gave her my email and told her to reach out if she ever needed anything."
The self-assurance to aim high
Cambridge has expanded Ami’s ambitions for her career. “Talking informally to academics has helped me to network effectively, and the University Careers Service provides additional support.”
Ami recently completed a summer internship at the University of Cambridge Development and Alumni Relations Office in the Communications team. “I put together a research report analysing other university social media pages. It was my first internship, so it helped me to understand what my professional skill set is and what kind of jobs I should be applying for.”
Cambridge has made me feel a lot more confident to pursue what I want to do.
She integrated her interest in history to provide new content in her role. “I visited quite a few College archives to find stories that our alumni audience would be interested in.”
“The wonderful archivist Hannah James at Churchill College told me about a prank from 1974 where students brought a car outside the dining hall.
One night, a group of second year engineers decided to shock the College by lifting the car up the stairs and leaving it outside of the dining hall. As the College awoke for breakfast, students discovered the car parked inside at the top of the staircase. In the end, the College authorities blamed the postgraduate student committee, as the car belonged to a member.
It fascinated me because people think of Cambridge and Cambridge students as very serious so it was fun to see a more light-hearted side to College life. Alumni from all Colleges and various decades engaged well with the post on social media.”
Reflecting on her time at Cambridge so far, it’s clear that the University has nurtured Ami’s confidence and sense of self.
A lot of my friends and family thought Cambridge was too competitive for me to apply to. Now, thanks to this success, I’ve got in the habit of applying for whatever takes my interest, regardless. Because you never know where life will take you.
Inspired by Ami's story?
Find out more about the Foundation Year and the opportunities to give to student support at Cambridge.
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