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- [Martin] I'm Martin Luk.
I'm a second year economist at Trinity College Cambridge
and I'm also the president
of the Cambridge University Finance and Business Society
and I'm also the Overseas Welfare Officer
of the Trinity College Students' Union.
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- [Martin] A day in the life here can't really be classified
in one particular type
because there's always so much going on.
But, I guess, for me I normally wake up around eight
to go to lectures at nine
and then normally I'm at the lecture site from nine to one
because sometimes there are breaks between lectures.
And so, after one, I go grab lunch,
and after lunch go back to my room
and study for a little bit.
And then, more often than not, I'll have a supervision
in the afternoon or some sort
of meeting that I have to go to.
And then, in the evening, it's usually either a dinner
with the Finance Society or a dinner with friends
or some sort of, possibly some wine tasting
or something like that.
And then, in the evening it's much more sit down
and look over notes, look over lectures,
do assignments and maybe sleep.
During weekends, it's a lot more relaxed
because obviously you don't have lectures.
Every so often because we're so close to London,
maybe halfway through the term,
when the term's really getting to you,
you can catch a train,
take 45 minutes to go to London and maybe have the day off.
So that's something I can do maybe once a term
just to get away from things;
get away from the Cambridge bubble.
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- Tell me a little bit about what it means
to be in Trinity College at Cambridge.
- I think it's really just a very unique experience
because being at one of the most prestigious universities
in the U.K., and if not the world,
is a really strong privilege to be here.
And also, I think that having all the history
and seeing all these buildings
that are hundreds of years old,
and the very same path that Newton and Lord Byron
and all these very intellectual people walked,
I think that really makes you have a very special sense
of place.
And I feel that, yeah, it's a short time here;
it's only three years,
so every single day walking past the Great Court Fountain,
taking in everything
you've really gotta make sure you make the most of it.
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- Cool fact about this place is that apparently,
this was place in which Newton tested for the speed of sound
Apparently, he just stood at one end of this hall
and just clapped and (claps once) you can hear
quite a distinct echo of the hand clap
and this is how he tested for the speed of sound
using a pendulum or something like that.
- Can I try?
- Go for it.
(claps)
(both laughing)
- It's like there's another me (Martin laughing)
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- So, outside of class, can you tell me a little bit about
the different clubs and organizations you're involved in?
- Sure, so outside of class, Cambridge is renowned
for it's many, many different societies.
There are both societies within colleges
and also outside within Cambridge.
The one that I spearhead
is the Cambridge University Finance and Business Society.
This is more along the lines of career societies.
So, what the idea behind these societies
is that they help connect and host networking events,
company presentations, to help connect the students
with firms and, for example, in London
so, for example some big investment banks
or asset managers might come and speak to students
about what it's like to work in the industry
and we help them by advertising to students
via Facebook and via email and things like that.
And we also have many different social events as well.
We have many dinners, we have drinks and things
to really get students to meet with people
who want to pursue or are interested in a similar career.
- How cool, so you're sort of connecting these big companies
with a bunch of really talented people.
- Exactly, exactly. So, it's a two-way street.
A lot of firms, in particular, like to headhunt in Cambridge
because it's, you know,
we have a lot of very talented people.
So, for us it's very--it's a great experience
to work with firms who want to find the best
of Cambridge talent.
- So, tell me a little about what it means
to be the president of the society.
- I think it is quite a lot of work
because as the president you are essentially in charge
of a committee of around 18 people.
And, you are the main point of contact
between the society and all your sponsor firms.
So you're sending emails and taking calls
from all of these people
from these very famous big institutions
these big banks, so it's quite nerve-racking at first
but I think it's a very good leadership opportunity
to really get involved with things that do matter.
You know, all these companies, they spend a lot of money
hosting these events in Cambridge
and it really matters to them to get the best of talent
for every single year.
For me, it was good to meet
and really get to work with people
who like the same industry that I was in,
but also the problem-solving, the handling decisions
and the very stressful situations.
And, also being sociable at these dinners,
meeting and networking with many people around the industry,
I think is a very worthwhile experience.
I would highly suggest anyone to give it a go.
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- Tell me a little bit about the program overall.
What does the degree require?
How many hours per week are you in class,
that sort of thing.
- Okay, I think for me it is a three year degree.
In the first year we take five papers
and then afterwards we take four.
For me, the Cambridge economics course,
I think that's quite math-based.
But, having said that, there are also many papers
that have essay writing in it.
So in the first year, there's quite a lot of variety.
We take things like microeconomics,
macroeconomics, and maths.
But, we also have two interesting papers.
One called politics.
So, it's politics and social aspects of economics
and another is British economic history.
Those two are much more reading papers
where you have to look into more research papers
and really go into a more holistic view of economics.
Whereas, the first - the micro, macro and maths -
are much more theoretical-based.
I think there's a quite nice mix of that.
Especially when you get into second year and third year,
in second year you get a choice of one paper
and in third year you get a choice of two papers.
So you can very much tailor your course
to what you are personally interested in
which I think is really great.
- [Interviewer] In terms of your experience here
now that you've been here for a while,
what have you found has been the most surprising thing?
- [Martin] The most surprising thing, I think,
is just how quickly time passes.
Because when I came here,
I thought it would be a lot of study, very high-pressure,
but in fact, life is so independent
and so varied around here,
every day could vary from a full day of studying
to a full day of meeting people, networking,
having meals with friends.
So, just a huge variety in how much you enjoy it.
I think, for me, I came here thinking that
I'd really have to stretch myself to use every single second
to make sure I understand every bit of my notes
and things like that.
But, in reality, there's a lot of people around
to help you out as well.
There will be friends who always are there
to have a chat with you if you're feeling a bit down
and there will be multiple people
having the same essay crisis.
- Right.
- So it's really a great big community
which I really enjoy being a part of.
- [Interviewer] If you were to give advice to someone
who is overseas, thinking about going overseas for college
for university, what advice would you give them?
- I think it would be to be bold and be daring, I think,
because, for me, coming from New Zealand
you had no idea where your standing was against the people
across the world, the people from Eton
or from very similar very `prestigious high schools
around the U.K. and around the world.
I think it's just to believe in yourself
and really go out and try everything that there is to offer
that the world has to offer.
Because, I think, if you don't apply to these places,
and you don't give it your best shot
then you never really know- - Right
where you could end up.
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