Dear Reader,
When I first arrived at Worcester College, I must say that I felt deeply disappointed. The picturesque campus that I had been promised was under renovation, with scaffolding and fences blocking its beauty from view. To add to my disappointment, I realized that I had been assigned a dorm from the ‘70s…the 1970s. My dreams of living like Harry Potter and my favorite Disney princesses had been dashed. I was living in (semi) modern accommodations with none of the modern amenities (ahem, A/C!) and without access to the historic buildings due to the construction. My heart was shattered.
That is until I met my roommates, my classmates, my professors, and all of the remarkable people who make this place magical. It soon became clear that the “spirit of Oxford” I had read so much about was not to be found in any building, or room, or 14th century chair, but in the memories that we were making that were to be added to the millions that came before us. The intertwining of generations of youthful minds on this campus is the real magic, and, while I still would love to return when the main building is not filled with neon-laden construction men, I now understand that Oxford’s essence lies in its enduring community.
One moment that truly captured this spirit was attending Compline one Wednesday evening at Worcester’s chapel.The experience was ethereal. The service exuded a peace that I had not known yet during my time abroad. The voices of the reverend and the congregation, though small, echoed in the chapel and filled the room with a beautiful melody. I kept imagining what it would sound like if the room were full of voices, which only made me want to return more to find out! The service also reminded me of my church back in Virginia, where we sing similar chants during communion. That familiarity, coupled with the peace of the moment, made me feel entirely present, simultaneously connected to Oxford and home across space and time.
I also felt close to home when I attended Evensong at Christ Church. Though the service was not as reverent as Compline due to all the tourists, the beautiful harmonies of the choir filled the space with worship, which reminded me of church services when I was little. The Evensong I witnessed was extra special because it was the last of the summer session. During the service, the congregation said goodbye to the Director of Music, who was leaving for a position at St Paul’s in London. The addition to the ceremony broke it of its usual rhythm and allowed for a touch of emotion, which is hard to find in an Anglican church. I thoroughly enjoyed Evensong and am so glad that I had the opportunity to go during my time at Oxford.
While I did not get to live out my Harry Potter dreams in Worcester, I was able to do so at the Bodleian. I had the privilege of reading, writing, and studying where Harry, Hermione, and Ron do (well, mostly Hermione does) in the movies. It was truly the best of both worlds when I discovered the University of Oxford: College Histories: Worcester College that I plucked off the shelf and read beneath the beautiful stained glass window in the Duke Humphrey. The history detailed how Worcester transitioned from Gloucester Hall to its current name with much thanks to Dr. Benjamin Woodroffe, who campaigned for its rehabilitation. Holding that piece of history in my hands was one of the most enriching academic pursuits in my life, and I will forever remember that feeling.
I also found a book on the History of Suffolk, which was special to me because my hometown is Suffolk, Virginia. Though they are worlds apart, it still gave me a taste of home seeing a familiar name. I briefly skimmed some of the text, however, the book would put Biology 101 textbooks to shame, so I did not read it in its entirety, but it gave me an unexpected glimpse of home, blending my roots with this new chapter of my life. The chance to connect my past with my present in such an unexpected way made the experience all the more special.
While my arrival at Oxford didn’t match the fantasy I had imagined, the reality surpassed it in ways I could never have planned. I didn’t just visit a historic university, I became part of its living history, an experience I will cherish for a lifetime.
Cheers!
Claire
