by Avery Michener| Fall 2024 |
My time at Oxford was a chance to develop deep connections and explore beyond my comfort zone, growing into myself. Before stepping onto the plane taking me to a new place, to a new home away from home, I thought I knew what I was getting into. The truth turned out to be far from what I imagined, yet so much better.
When I first arrived in Oxford, England, I only viewed it on a surface level. It was filled with pretty architecture, the locals had fun accents, and there were a lot of pubs; however, I soon learned that these aspects were not what made Oxford special. As cliché as it seems, it’s true: people make the place. I was living with, interacting with, and studying with twenty-two other people on a daily basis. Each person I spoke to seemed to have a new perspective on something happening around us. Whether this be about a bakery they found the other week or a book we were all reading for class, being exposed to so many different minds other than my own was refreshing and insightful. The time spent with my fellow travelers led to deeper connections and more meaningful friendships that I will hold dear for the rest of my life.
As an individual who likes to contribute to what is happening around me, I learned that letting other people manage a situation I am not equipped to handle is a virtue in and of itself. While abroad, I traveled to multiple places, some in the UK and some outside of the UK. One of the locations I visited was an island in France called Mont-Saint-Michel. Everyone we encountered spoke French, and while some did speak English it was a minuscule amount at best, so we relied on translator apps to communicate for the entire weekend. My phone didn’t have access to wifi for the majority of the trip, so I was left feeling useless during every conversation. At first, I felt frustrated that I couldn’t help my friends, yet I knew I was powerless to change this. Soon, though, I realized that my friends enjoyed conversing with the locals. I was able to take a step back and appreciate a blessing in disguise. I have since realized that there are times to offer your assistance to someone in need, while at others, the best move is to allow that person to handle the situation as they see fit, leading to an outcome that could pleasantly surprise you.
Exposure to new cultures and people has taught me about the world around me and aspects of myself. Traveling abroad has shaped me in an unexpected yet welcomed way, forming me to become more aware of others’ opinions and resourcefulness, leading to a deep mutual trust. I will look back on my time in Oxford with a smile as I start a new episode of my life, always treasuring what I have learned and gained from my experiences.
