ISI Summer Programme Testimonials
Selected testimonials from former ISI participants
As a person with zero experience in the field of Intelligence Studies, the ISI was a perfect introduction. My learning curve was exponential and within the first week, I was presenting on topics which a week before I did not even know existed. The faculty and the operations team were wonderful, making sure participants were ok and offering one-on-one support in their various fields of expertise. The most remarkable thing about the programme was that I, a University student, was learning alongside people currently hands-on working both with and in international intelligence agencies, which was a surreal experience. Attending the ISI has inspired me to continue exploring possibilities in this field and has opened my eyes to the unique capabilities of Intelligence in the modern world.
Rosa, ISI Student 2023
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ISI is an exceptional experience and I am truly grateful for the time I have spent in Cambridge. The programme offers a unique opportunity for interaction and collaboration between professional practitioners and the academic world. The many accomplished lecturers and guest speakers provide exclusive access to a wealth of knowledge and rare practical experience otherwise difficult to tap into. Furthermore, I believe that the student body itself, spanning multiple countries, a wide variety of professional backgrounds, and all levels of higher education, offer exciting and inspiring new perspectives on contemporary security- and intelligence related issues. Additionally, the programme provides a friendly social environment for forging new professional and personal connections.
Kristoffer, Umeå University
The Cambridge Security Initiative’s ISI Programme was truly the perfect way to invest my summer: by studying deeply fascinating and academically rigorous material – from intelligence history to the impacts of security-critical current events – all while enjoying England’s rich history and culture while calling picturesque Magdalene College my home. This an experience not to miss that has left me with memories to forever treasure!
Rae-Kelly, the United States Naval Academy
Taking part in the ISI program exposed me to new theories and phenomena that were presented by pillars in the fields of security and intelligence and afforded me the ability to include them into my own field of study. That led me to progress further in my undergraduate and graduate degrees. Also, Cambridge was a wonderful setting for this program. It was beautiful, so calm and peaceful. I definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in this topic!
Lena, the American University Beirut
The operations team was phenomenal, they did an excellent job coordinating all events. Given the vast educational background of the ops staff, they were able to provide assistance on not just the ops side, but the educational and professional side as well.
Morgan, ISI 2023
It was very apparent that the CSi Conference was very well-organized, and there was a lot of time and effort put into the set up. The panels were great, intellectually stimulating, and very relevant to today’s world events.
Jacob, ISI 2023
The International Security and Intelligence Program at Cambridge represents an unparalleled opportunity to delve into contemporary security risks. The program serves as a primer on intelligence collection and analysis. Yet the true value of the program is not derived from the curricula they’ve put together, but the plenary lecturers offered by the faculty. As a student seeking tangible professional experience in this field, I found the course to be invaluable in terms of the insight former intelligence officials provided with respect to how our national security is maintained. Most importantly, the opportunity to research, develop, and brief a topic of my choosing (under the guidance of a faculty member with similar interests), further reinforced my desire to pursue a career in national security.
Harrison, American University, Washington DC
The ISI program was a wonderful opportunity to delve into further research and have an in-depth learning experience on the topic of security from expert faculty members. I attended as a recipient of the Sir Richard Dearlove Scholarship which fully funded my research and learning opportunity. The classroom environment uniquely combined lectures with one-on-one supervisions to improve your existing research skills. The program also provided a good balance of academic and social activities. Aside from the many learning opportunities, living in Cambridge is a one of a kind experience that I would highly recommend.
Priyanka, the Heller School of Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University
ISI is a unique experience – no other program out there provides you both the ability to receive a comprehensive education on intelligence and security studies and apply that education to your passions. The programme grounded my interests in international security and policy. Without the support of the staff and my supervision group, I would not have been able to produce my first-ever academic publication.
Jobel, the University of California Berkeley