As soon as it began I was in awe, and what a time it was. From the 2nd of July to the 26th of July I was in Oxford, England. The most important area of concern before the trip had even begun was that I had packed enough but not too much. And somehow I managed, the way back was a different story all together. And the time I spent over there was incredible, the Oxford Study Abroad was everything I hoped it could be and more really. While in England, I visited London several times, Paris for an entire weekend, and countless small churches and villages around Oxford. The weather was beautiful and temperate and the architecture was astounding. I went out with new friends and had wonderful classes with amazing professors.
Walking the paved and cobbled streets of Oxford, one could look around in any direction and see just how old the city truly was. The countless colleges that make up Oxford University could be found on every other street. Each with its own deeply rich history full of wonder. Worcester college was my home for the duration of my stay and since its inception in 1714 it too had more than its own share of beautiful scenery and buildings. Everywhere one could go, whether it was the country side or the city, a piece of British history came appeared. From the crumbling Abbey in the fields to the towering stonework of St. Paul’s Cathedral, something was always nearby.
While the study abroad trip was not by any means my first time abroad, it did help to create a better picture of the world. Every new country and experience puts another piece of the puzzle into place. Seeing maps and globes is one thing, but to actually be there yourself and to be surrounded by the physical reality of a new country is truly wonderful. And not only that but with the classes I took at Worcester and the Bodleian Library, the study abroad came together in an interesting way, as yes it was about ‘studying’, the classes never really felt like that. It was in a new place with new people with mostly new professors, and the classes themselves were so precise and unique that no room for boredom was to be found or allowed. There seemed to be a never ending supply of activities and events one could go on, no matter the involvement in one class or another.
With so much going on when it came time to leave, it was a genuinely sad affair. I was tired yes, but I had grown accustomed to England and more specifically Oxford. Seeing the ancient buildings as I walked by, feeling the sun, and wandering around the streets and villages had become apart of me. The memories and friends made will never leave, even though they may fade over time. But the time I spent there will remain forever a part of me, and as such has created an urge to go back again and again.
