A group of Hoddesdon schoolgirls have been inspired to take their future into their own hands thanks to a special trip to Cambridge University.
The four sixth-form students from The John Warner School attended the overnight Pathways to Success event at Murray Edwards College in Cambridge.
Amelia Puttock, Cristina Di Giovanna, Melissa Bennet and Rebecca Blewett were among 100 students invited to the evening. The event was organised by the university to inspire high-achieving young women to think carefully about their futures and to give them confidence to make their decisions.
Rebecca said: “The trip has definitely aided me in deciding what I want to do in the future and what paths are available too. “Everyone at Murray Edwards made the atmosphere much more relaxed and enjoyable; from being welcoming and helpful, to talking through and sharing their own experiences. I now feel that Cambridge is a possibility for me and maybe even Murray Edwards, as I now know I needn’t be afraid of being ambitious.”
Amelia said: “As someone who was unsure about going to university, the trip has not only made me decide, but also think more about the opportunities available to me.”
Cristina said: “The idea of Cambridge can be quite intimidating, but I didn’t feel that at all; the courses looked interesting and, of course, there is the hard work one has to put in.”
Melissa added: “The trip has been very useful in opening my eyes to the opportunities that are available to women at the university; that you should never give up, even when things don’t go the way you planned them.”