Oxford Review
By Amanda Hill ’17 • English Major
This summer I had the pleasure of traveling abroad to Oxford, UK with SJC by accident. I had signed up for a history class at the last minute without knowing it involved traveling abroad. It wasn’t until a couple of days before class had started that I found out I was not only going to learn about the city of Oxford, but I would soon be walking along its streets.
While in Oxford were able to visit famous museums such as The Ashmolean, The Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Pitt Rivers, The History of Science Museum and my personal favorite: The Salisbury Museum.
What I enjoyed most about this trip was how flexible it was. We had the advantage of having classes in the morning and then free time to explore for the rest of the day. We were able to create our own agendas, which made this trip feel more like an educational journey.”
It was fascinating being able to absorb the development of different cultures and to experience major historical objects with our own eyes. However, taking advantage of Oxford’s museums was only a small part of our trip. We also had the experience of walking along the same streets that inspired writers such as J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, J. R.R. Tolkien, T.S. Eliot, Lewis Carroll and numerous other authors. Our two-week adventure also included day trips to London as well as a visit to the historical phenomenon at Stone Hedge.
Photos by Amanda Hill
What I enjoyed most about this trip was how flexible it was. We had the advantage of having classes in the morning and then free time to explore for the rest of the day. We were able to create our own agendas, which made this trip feel more like an educational journey.
Traveling has always been a main part of my life, and I believe that it is fundamental in personal growth. However, out of all the places I’ve seen, I don’t believe I have grown anywhere as much as I have grown while in Oxford, UK. The environment within the city is so inspiring. It’s no wonder so many influential people have come out of this city.
My visit to Oxford has helped me develop a deeper hunger for learning. It has aided my ability to develop more profound ways of thinking and I hope to apply my knew skills into a successful future. I am grateful to have been able to share this life changing experience with such a wonderful group of people!
Why the Study Abroad Program?
By William Weinold ’18 • History Major
I was all wrong about England. I had spent the first half the summer backpacking through Eastern Europe before I landed in Heathrow International for my last two weeks of my summer travels. I must admit as I flew into London from Prague, I anticipated these last two weeks to be a bit dull in comparison. I had worried since it was a school-led function the class might not have much time to mingle and explore on our own. In addition, with the bulk of my travels being behind me in what I viewed as much more exotic countries, England would have a hard time measuring up to the hype of what I had just experienced on the main land- I couldn’t have been more wrong.
For so many reasons England shattered my expectations. I can easily say my two weeks spent at Oxford wound up being among the most interesting and rewarding weeks of my trip.
Photos by William Weinold
For so many reasons England shattered my expectations. I can easily say my two weeks spent at Oxford wound up being among the most interesting and rewarding weeks of my trip.
While traveling on my own the first month of the summer it took a tremendous amount of work for me to orchestrate tours, transportation and lodging. My travel buddy and I were frequently getting lost and while it was an incredible adventure, it’s hard to plan a trip to a country where you have never been before. What a breath of fresh air it was to have two professors [Wendy Turgeon, Ph.D. and James Blakeley, Ph.D.] who were so well versed in the area able and willing to do all of the booking.
From the sights they selected for our daily itinerary, to the hotels we would stay at when venturing off campus, the trip was masterfully planned. The level of relaxation that accompanies this release from responsibility was for me one of the highlights of my Oxford experience. It allowed me so much more time to simply take in the beautiful surroundings and enjoy myself.
Photos by Wendy Turgeon, Ph.D.
The group fell together almost immediately, as if we had been old friends all along. Even Dr. Blakeley and Dr. Turgeon would accompany the crew out to dinner on occasion.
In addition, before my time in Oxford I didn’t know a single person in the class. Being that we had gone an entire semester of weekly meetings leading up to the trip itself without much bonding, as is any class at a commuter school like St. Joe’s, I didn’t exactly have a high expectations of everybody hanging out when we would all arrive together. I was wrong again. The group fell together almost immediately, as if we had been old friends all along. Even Dr. Blakeley and Dr. Turgeon would accompany the crew out to dinner on occasion. I don’t think there was a single student who had ever felt they were traveling alone on that trip.
Many days after lunch the class had the whole rest of the day to strike out on our own to explore the beautiful and ancient town. Whether we were climbing the great church spires or bouncing about from pub to pub, it was both a great learning and bonding experience for all. Several weeks have gone by now and many of us still talk almost daily.
If you want a stress-free trip to a new country, guided by an exceptional faculty, or if you would simply like to get to know your fellow St. Joe’s students better in an exciting and historic setting, then the study abroad program is most definitely for you.
Recommended Reading
For more reactions from this summer’s Oxford Experience, check out the blogs of students Taisha Brutus and SJC faculty member Wendy Turgeon, Ph.D.
