Before going to the UK, I had only been on a plane once in my life, and I had never been out of the country. I was anxious but so excited and thankful for the opportunity to explore a place none of my family has. The independence the trip provided me was also beneficial; if I could travel to a whole new country by myself, I could do anything! Admittedly, I was scared of flying but I got used to it pretty quickly. I tried to rest on the flight but my mind was swimming with anticipation. A few days into living in Oxford, I got used to the general layout of stores and libraries and my anxieties diminished.
One of the best perks of studying abroad at Oxford was having access to the most beautiful and historic libraries– the swearing in ceremony at the Old Library was so special and educational. The architecture in Oxford and the UK made me feel like I was in a Harry Potter film. I loved seeing the cathedrals and buildings that were integral to the start of the university. My favorite building was the Sheldonian theatre. I went and saw the Oxford Philharmonic play Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, which was an amazing experience that gave me goosebumps several times. As a cellist, I appreciated the concert and loved their interpretation of the Brandenburg concertos.
I went on a bus tour and Alice Walk which was not required for my courses but offered as an extra activity. On the bus tour, we learned about Black history in Oxford with the amazing guide Pamela Roberts. We got to see some historical landmarks where some of the first Black students at Oxford lived and studied, as well as some general history of statues and colleges. On the Alice Walk, Dr. Peterson showed us places that inspired Lewis Carroll. We got to see lots of wildlife including wild horses, bunnies, and cows.
On my own, I toured the Oxford Castle Prison and studied at Blackwell’s. Only a few of the incredible sights in Oxford, they really showed off the beauty of the town and a glimpse into its rich history.
Coming back, I’ve noticed some differences in the culture, both things I miss about Oxford and things I’m glad I have in the US. I did not know how much I was taking air conditioning for granted! I try to be sustainable on a day-to-day basis, and it was refreshing to see how England limits single-use plastic and waste. As someone with food allergies, I noticed English restaurants are very proactive with separating food and asking customers first for dietary restrictions. I enjoyed the climate, as the unbearable heat I faced in the southern US was replaced with a dry heat accompanied with a nice breeze most of the time.
I loved experiencing British culture through interactions with service workers and friendly strangers. What I took away from this trip was that England is a lot more similar to the US than I previously thought, but its differences opened my eyes and made me feel immersed in a new setting with new people. This trip inspired me to plan more trips outside of the US and see the world. I am so excited to visit Europe again and later in my life see other countries in more continents.