While on the plane back from London, I felt tired. Part of me looked forward to getting back to my regular routine in the states (seeing my dog again). But mostly, I was not ready to leave, as was the opinion of the majority of people on this trip. Classes were tough, but I still enjoyed a lot of what Oxford had to offer. If anything, I wanted one or two more days of freedom in Oxford to cap off my trip. Nevertheless, this was an unforgettable experience. I grew so much in Oxford. From my time there, I developed social skills that will help me for the rest of my life, and I met amazing friends that I know I am going to cherish for years to come. I am not afraid to socialize, to interact with my teachers, to meet new friends, and to ask questions of total strangers if need be. I can definitely attribute this latter feat to my UH-210 class, which challenged us to adventure into Oxford and interact with its people to find information to write our papers. If I had not been pushed to get out of my comfort zone, I would never have been able to explore different Oxford colleges, discover hidden taverns, and learn more about the minute details of Oxfordian lore than most actual Oxford citizens probably do! When returning home, I did not feel any sort of culture shock. Oxford felt like an ancient tourist hub at time, with people from tons of different nationalities walking the streets, almost like a much older, more refined New York City. I often found myself thinking of Cornmarket Street, one of the busiest streets in Oxford, as a counterpart to Times Square. People dressed relatively the same as one would in America, and I honestly did not feel any apparent culture shock. If anything, I was conscious of myself as a tourist in a beautiful city, and I made sure to be as respectful as I could around whom I perceived to be locals. I have also developed the strong opinion that America needs a train transit system like the UK to help travel across the States, because it feels much more convenient than having to drive in cars everywhere. I wish I could spend a whole year in Oxford, and I will definitely be returning in the future!
