The University of Oxford is absolutely incredible. The first week or so we were here, it was a lot of orientation stuff, but we got to see all of these incredibly historic sites around Oxford. The buildings are magnificent, unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. And some of them date back to the early 9th century! Some of the most notable sites are the Northgate (the oldest part of Oxford), the Radcliff Camera, and the Bodleian Library. Beyond the historical sites, there are incredible cafes and pubs full of energy and incredible foods and drinks. Walking down the streets of Oxford is an experience all in itself. There is plenty to do and see, including a tour of the multiple locations used in the Harry Potter films.
The academic experience is just as exciting, and although it’s a lot of paper writing, the focus of the material is entirely dictated by you and what you write. The tutors I have met with are incredibly skilled in their field, and one of them I have gained a lot of respect for genuinely look forward to our meeting for the chance to engage in my topic and have discussions about ideas I had previously never considered. The essay writing gets easier and easier the more you do it, and the tutors give you explicit materials to reference, so as long as you use your time wisely, it’s not incredibly difficult. Over the next 6 weeks, I know I have my work cut out for me, but I am nonetheless excited to continue exploring Oxford, meeting the other University students, and simply enjoying my time abroad. On a side note, I joined the volleyball team at Oxford and made their Women’s First Varsity team. We had our first match last Wednesday and although we lost, I had an incredible time with the girls. Joining clubs is the best way to meet other students. We have socials and ‘crewdates’ (socials with other sports teams), so I’ve really been able to meet a lot of other people. For anyone who’s looking to go to Oxford in the future, joining anything and everything that might seem interesting to you is truly the best way to meet people.
Cheers from across the pond,
Hope Pohlman
