Taken by Oxford

I wasn’t expecting Oxford. Obviously, I knew where I signed up to go, I just had no idea what Oxford would entail. I didn’t know I would find so much joy on a 30 minute walk into town, or how much I would love the hustle and bustle of Cornmarket street and High Street. I had no idea that Port Meadow would become one of my favorite places for Bible Studies or group dinners. I really didn’t know what to expect from my time abroad, but I know it wasn’t that. 

I was prepared for a quiet, quaint town, not the hub of knowledge and the sweet celebration of life and culture that’s found in Oxford. There’s no shortage of ways to spend a day. From walking around City Center, to touring Magdalen College, grabbing coffee and a waffle at Black Sheep, or a milkshake from Moo Moo’s in the Covered Marker, there are endless hidden gems in the twisty streets. The Ashmolean Museum on Beaumont Street houses an astounding collection of items and stories from around the world and across time. It’s easy to spend a whole afternoon just wandering through the exhibits and considering the long history of humanity. These days, getting to wander around Oxford taught me to find the joy in the little mundane moments of each day. Living in Oxford is such a gift, and it really teaches you to be where your feet are. 

Academically, my time Abroad was spent in two classes, Restorative Justice, and Comparative Judicial Process. In Restorative Justice, we discussed the importance of mending relationships and restoring dignity and safety to the victims of crimes. In Comparative Judicial Process, we discussed the differences between English and American court proceedings, as well as how attorneys in each country are trained. We spent a day in the local courts, watching trials and seeing the concepts from class be put into practice. When we were in London for a weekend, we got to see the Justice Palace, and learn about the intense history of Old Bailey, a famous court and prison. I will always be thankful for these experiences as I work towards my own legal career in the future. 

Aside from classes, I took two out of country trips, one to Dubrovnik, Croatia, and the other to Nice, France. Both trips were absolutely lovely and inspired great conversation and sweet memories with my friends. Even getting stuck overnight in the Barcelona Airport was made much more fun because of the people I was stuck with. The biggest thing I will take away from Studying Abroad is the new friendships I gained. I knew very few people in my group before this trip, and now I can’t imagine my college experience without them. 

I daydream about going back to Oxford, walking back into Blackwell’s Bookstore one more time, or getting G&D’s ice cream after church, or having a picnic in Port Meadow one more time. I am so thankful I got the chance to experience it with some awesome people. Everyone should Study Abroad!