Unplugging and Connecting – Oxford Summer 2022

Unplugging and Connecting

Before studying abroad in Oxford, I was the type of person who normally wouldn’t take risks (or at least, go with whatever my friends back home were doing). I was the type of person who would always be on their phone scrolling through social media or on my laptop doing some assignment that needed to be done. But, after a month studying abroad in Oxford, I learned that there is more to life than just a screen.

Once we were all in Oxford, we all got settled into the new house, getting groceries from Tesco and Sainsbury’s, (and in my case, exchanging US dollars for British pounds). Within the first week of being in Oxford, I learned so much history, from the well that inspired Alice in Wonderland to an old church-turned center for mission studies, and visiting one of the more “recent” colleges in Oxford. But during that time, I was still, yet, the person who was on their phone (mainly social media), needing to keep up with what was going on back home, who the people I was following were posting. But, on the first Sunday I was there, something “changed” me. After going to Mass at a Church known in the area, I was just walking around Oxford by myself, looking at the area more, something told me to enter this Anglican church (call it curiosity if you will). After entering this church, not only did I hear the melodic voices of the choir practicing, but I also climbed up the tower that was part of it, learning about the history of the tower to the present day. Once at the top, I was able to see Oxford’s “skyline”. I was able to slowly get over a fear of heights. This was something I wouldn’t have been able to do just by scrolling through Instagram. This time taught me that I can do anything, one step at a time.

During this time, I was able to get to know my classmates and my roommate more. From classes to afternoon activities, from seeing Westminster Abbey with some classmates to looking at the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum with my roommate to enjoying afternoon tea with others in Oxford, I slowly looked at social media on my phone less and less, instead enjoying the little moments of everyday life. This happened slowly until I let my curiosity direct me, such as trying escargot with my roommate in Paris to walking down the streets of Glasgow, making friends with some ladies to the Church I went to in Oxford to even seeing my two professors playing four-square volleyball with us. All of these things would not have happened if I was just on my phone all the time.

Now, I’m not saying to not leave your phone behind. You are in a new place, take all the pictures you want, from food to buildings and everything in between. All I’m saying is by putting the phone (or even a laptop) down, you may have some unforgettable experiences.

My 2 professors playing 4 square volleyball with students (photo courteous of student studying abroad with me).