Welcome to my travel blog. Many of you have visited in years past, trekking virtually with me around Europe and Asia. Well, we have another adventure, friends: Six months of study at Oxford University. I arrived in Oxford two days ago, only to jump right into the cultural and into academic obligations.
The academics here at Oxford are organized completely differently than back home. We operate on a tutorial system. Basically, I meet once a week for eight weeks with a "tutor" (basically a professor or expert in the field). This is either one-on-one or in a small group. Prior to the tutorial, the tutor emails me with an essay prompt, about which I write a 2,500 word essay using a provided list of books.
College organization is also different: Oxford is actually a town, in addition to being a university (or "uni", as the Brits say). The university doesn't have a specific campus. Rather, there are several colleges spread out all over the town that basically run themselves, most of which cater to specific courses of study (or majors, as we say). Each college has a library (or more), a dining hall, as well as some student accommodation and tutorial rooms/offices. There is also a quad (courtyard) in each college. I go to Regents Park College, which is rather small compared to some of the others. I'm told some colleges are large enough to encase a lake!
I have the option of eating in college 3 meals a day for Monday through Friday. It is a really lovely set-up, as our college is very intentional about obliterating social hierarchy as much as possible. The tutors and faculty eat right alongside the students. It is often a very enriching academic experience, as the people here seem to be very hungry to learn and to share their research. At dinner time, it is family style, with the plates of food in the center of the table. It feels like one big family. Meal times are one of the most important ways to meet friends.
(P.S.- the food is way better than certain cafeterias back home, which I will not name)
My first tutorials are next week, and I have an essay that is due Sunday at 4pm. I am to study how social and cultural changes affected the role of composers and musicians in eighteenth century society (among a few other facets of C.18 music, such as function of music and compositional output). So far, I am really enjoying the readings. I really love this system. In an orientation, I was told that the word "essay" comes from a French word which means "to try", so I should not expect to bring essays in that are publishing-ready. This culture is so anti-perfectionism, and it is water for the soil of my soul. It is clear that the goal is for me to enjoy the process of learning and pursue my interests in research. Finally!
As far as accommodation (they use this word instead of housing), I live in a really nice house with 3 other students and 1 site director. They are all lovely people, and I am enjoying getting to know them. I actually have a really nice room to myself with an en suite bathroom and a window overlooking the street and a garden. I LOVE it! I plan on coloring some things to put on the wall to make it more homely.
I have also come into contact with the Oxford Horn Choir, and my first meeting with them is the first week of February! They have opened me with open arms, and I am going to have coffee with one of the members on Saturday.
Overall, I am very grateful to be here. I didn't really know what to expect coming, but this definitely exceeds my expectations. Before I sign off, I wanted to share a couple of amusing cultural differences. Also, sorry there are no photos. I am currently trying to figure out my SIM card situation, and my pictures are on an unactivated phone.
First of all, there are many quirky exclamations that make me chuckle. I heard someone say "Crikey!" for the first time today. I didn't think people really said that; I thought we had created a stereotype. Apparently, I was wrong!
Biscuits are not biscuits; they are cookies-- but not soft, gooey cookies, like we all love. They are hard, crunchy biscuits (an Oreo is considered a biscuit).
These people are very kind and polite. They also care about the welfare of the rats and hedgehogs, which I seriously thought was a joke, but it's not. Apparently there is a local rat expert who says that if the rats are healthy, then they will not spread diseases. As long as they do not enter the houses, there is no problem.
We walk everywhere. I walk 1.4 miles one way just to get to school. Then I walk all around the city center and down to the other side of town to the Music Faculty building. I can technically buy a bus pass, which I will do for particularly rainy days, but I enjoy the stroll. Good thing I bought some good walking shoes before I left!
Tea is a well-founded stereotype: there is tea at 11 and 4. I haven't gone yet, but I hope to be in college during tea time at some point. Also, don't drink tea at night, like I have done the past two nights. It causes difficulties falling asleep...
Well, that's enough for now! Who know how often I'll actually post, as I have many exciting things happening.
Good'ay, folks!
Amy
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