Sapere aude
What better way to cap off a long day of study than with some outdoor fun? Honors students took advantage of the perfect March weather to engage in a friendly game of wiffle ball. With our beautiful Hillsborough river as the backdrop, students batted, ran, and slid their way to wiffle ball victory….or at least to a fun (if brief) distraction from their academics. We’d say that’s a win!
Thomas Simonetti, a nursing student and officer on the Honors Executive Council, helped with recruitment for potential Honors Students this past weekend. He traveled to New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts to talk about his experience with Honors, focusing particularly on how Honors can help students achieve their post-graduation goals and provide them opportunities to thrive while they are a part of the program.
The beauty of the University of Oxford struck me the moment I arrived and continues to captivate me each week. The towering, historic architecture is mesmerizing, creating an almost magical atmosphere.
At Oxford, I am studying the International Accounting Standards in my primary tutorial, where I have engaged in some of the most enriching discussions of my academic journey. These conversations have allowed me to develop opinions on topics I had yet to explore in-depth, including a carbon tax, sustainability reporting, and much more. My secondary tutorial focuses on corporate taxation, where I have had the ability to research topics that are still taking shape, like the global minimum tax. Unlike established topics, I get to watch it unfold firsthand. It is particularly exciting to analyze something that will shape the future of international tax.
In my spare time, some of my favorite things are attending formal dinners, taking long walks through Port Meadow, and hanging out with my friends. It’s hard to get bored as Oxford is filled with charming coffee shops, clothing stores, and pubs–a perfect break from long hours of studying. One of my favorites is Barefoot Bakery; I hesitate to count how many cinnamon rolls I have indulged in my time here. I also took advantage of the ease of European travel and had the opportunity to visit Monaco and France.
As I enter my second to last week of the term, I am amazed at how quickly time has passed. I am incredibly grateful to the Honors Program for this opportunity-there is truly nothing like it. As my primary tutor always reminds me, “Stay curious.” I will always be thankful for the curiosity that led me to apply to study at the University of Oxford.
— Lauren Johnson