Since I was just a little kid, I have dreamed of studying at Oxford. I imagined walking through cobblestone streets to journey into centuries old buildings with the purpose of absorbing every granule of information I could get my hands on. To be writing this while sitting in my college built all the way back in 1379 feels like a dream come true.
Oxford is everything I imagined and more. Not only do I get to study in libraries built almost five hundred years ago and gaze out of carefully constructed stained glass windows, but I also have gotten the chance to study topics I never would have imagined possible. My primary tutorial focuses on the philosophies found in J.R.R. Tolkien’s works like The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings. This week I am examining Tolkien’s philosophies regarding fate and free will while contextualizing them within the prominent beliefs regarding those topics during his lifetime. I have gotten the chance to sit at a lecture led by one of the leading Tolkien scholars in the world today and will have the privilege to experience one led by J.R.R. Tolkien’s grandson later this term. My secondary tutorial examines different women’s historical movements within then United Kingdom, specifically focusing on the suffragettes of the early twentieth century. While the workload may be hefty, it has been immensely rewarding and endlessly enjoyable.
But Oxford goes beyond just the academics. The city itself is gorgeous and there are always endless things to do whenever you have free time. As a member of the rowing team back at Tampa, I knew I wanted to join my college’s boat club to have the experience of rowing at Oxford. The club has been truly wonderful and welcoming beyond my imagination. This past Sunday I was able to participate in a race against other Oxford colleges. I never imagined I would be able to say I had the experience of rowing for Oxford, let alone racing for them. It has truly made my wildest dreams come true. The opportunities I have had to travel have been incredible as well. Bath was absolutely stunning, and London is filled to the brim with things to do. I have more travel planned in the future I truly can’t wait for.
Oxford has truly been the experience of a lifetime; one I wish could go on forever. Thank you to the Honors Program for this incredible opportunity. If anyone has even the slightest interest in Oxford, I highly recommend applying. It is an experience you will never forget. -Lily Fridl