Living at the Oldest College in Oxford

I am finally in Oxford! For this week, the programme has picked up and moved from Bath to Oxford.

Early Friday morning we all piled into the bus and headed to Oxford. Our journey, however, was delayed due to highway traffic. We sat on the bus for over an hour singing Disney songs to pass the time. By the time we had arrived in Oxford, I was ready to return back to Bath. I had been awake since 7:30 am, had hardly any caffeine, and had spent three long hours on a stifling bus. Yet, after eating lunch, which the college provided us with in their buttery (dining hall), I was ready to give Oxford a second chance. For the week, I am living at the University College of Oxford. There is actually no Oxford University. Instead the University of Oxford actually consists of 39 different colleges. University College (our affiliate school, and where I’m staying and studying for this week) was established in 1249 and is Oxford’s oldest college.

The center of the College, you are not allowed to step on the grass

After exploring the city, Erin, Cullyn, Sasha, Rachel, Kate Six, Kate, and I had dinner at a pub called The Chequers where I ordered my first Fish and Chips. Now I usually do not like fish, but it was covered in beer batter, which made them absolutely delicious.

On Sunday I was able to experience the most brilliant activity of all time: PUNTING! It was hilarious. I was in a boat with my friends Sasha, Sarah, Ali, and Rachel. I didn’t actually punt myself, but I enjoyed boating around the canal. And we all survived, without tipping the boat over. Later that night, there was a disco dance party at the school’s bar and it was EPIC. I had a great time dancing with everyone as well as some ASE staff members.

Thankfully this week I only had my normal classes and I did not go to my school placement since it was back in Bath, so I was able to spend plenty of time exploring the city of Oxford. Tuesday, I took a tour of Christ Church. Christ Church is where Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) befriended one of the daughters of the Dean of Christ Church, Alice. Charles Dodgson who was a tutor at the college made up the tales Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Through the Looking Glass to entertain Alice and her sister. Christ Church’s dining hall was a model for the Hogwarts dining hall.

As Harry and the new first-years enter Hogwarts they are greeted by Professor McGonagall. This scene was shot on the 16th century staircase which leads up to the Great Hall.

 

 

The Great Hall was replicated in the film studios to create Hogwart's Hall.

For dinner that night, ASE took us to an amazing Indian restaurant. I once again ordered Chicken Korma, and I believe it was better the second time around. Sadly, Wednesday was spent doing homework and going to class. But today I had the whole day off. Early in the morning I went to the Pitt Rivers and the Natural History Museum, where I saw some shrunken heads and the dodo bird! Next, I had a lovely lunch with Vanessa and Erin, where I ate Venison cheeseburger and chips. Later tonight ASE is putting on a posh dinner for us, where we get to dress up and eat with everyone including our tutors. I’ve been looking forward to this all week and it should be loads of fun. I’m not sure if I’m ready to leave Oxford tomorrow.

Jane Austen Dancers

I know what everyone is thinking with that title. Seriously, Kathryn?! You’re in Bath, England and your spent your time learning 18th century dancing. Well, yes I did. And to sum up my experience in one word: Brilliant!
Last night, Erin and I, along with three other girls from the programme headed to a small Church where the event was being held. I have to admit, upon entering the church and seeing the eleven or so grandma and grandpas, I was skeptical that this was going to be any fun at all. In fact, I was pretty sure I was not going to be coming back next week. However, the dancers were thoroughly excited that they had American youngsters joining their session. These dancers have been practicing these dances for five to seven years and were so enthusiastic to teach them to us. When we messed up (which I did pretty frequently in the beginning) they laughed along with us, and then at the end when we were starting to get the hang it, my partner would clapped after I rightly completely a dance without any mistakes (which I did twice!). We danced for two hours and learned a number of difference dances and moves. However, none us expected us to sweat as much as we did. 18th century dancing is much more difficult than it look in the movie Pride & Prejudice. In that movie, those actors and actresses made dancing look like a piece of cake. That is not that case. My legs were killing from standing on tip-toes the whole time. It was honestly a great work out and such fun! I cannot wait to go back!

On another note, I had my first day in the classroom at my school on Tuesday and it was absolutely lovely. The kids are adorable and cannot wait to spend ten Tuesdays with them. This Tuesday I presented an all about me PowerPoint which I believed went well. The students asked a ton of questions about me and the teacher wants me to continue my "PowerPoint" lessons about all aspects of America. I am going to do next Tuesdays on the big sites in America. I'll put in Florida (Disney World), Washington DC, Washington, California, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada (Las Vegas), and Massachusetts. One lesson will be on American money, one student wanted American history (though that will be hard to do), American food (if there is no allergies, I will be bringing in Chocolate Chip Cookies!), one student wanted American Hollywood stars. I will be spending ten classes with these students, so I need ten PowerPoint lessons, so anyone who has any ideas, let me know!!!


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tonight, I went out with some girls and got Indian take away (to go). We had a lovely dinner with the girls up in flat four. I got samosas and chicken korma. It was absolutely delicious! It was sweet and mild (not spicy at all), and had a yoghurt/cream base. I would most definitely get it again.

Stonehenge, Salisbury, & Lacock

So my first week in England has come and gone. I've become adjusted to the time change and the school sickness has slightly started to set in. While I love being in the amazing and beautiful city, I thoroughly miss Saint Mike's. I miss seeing all my friends and going to the socials, and I miss giving tours. I also miss Alliot - our cafeteria. It was my main socializing point, and without it, I feel isolated cooking my own meals each night.


However, on an exciting note, the programme took its first trip away from bath this weekend! We went to Stonehenge, Salisbury and Lacock. Though we had to get up super early, it was certainly worth it! Our first stop was Stonehenge, which was amazingly mythical and mysterious, even though they are just a bunch of rocks. For a short history lesson, Stonehenge was actually built in three different phases. The first Stonehenge was basically a bank and a ditch, which you can actually see in the picture. The second Stonehenge consisted of a double circle of bluestone inside the bank & ditch. These blue stones were brought all the way from South Wales. The theory is the stones were transported by the canal. Finally the third and final Stonehenge which we see standing now is a large circle of stones.



Our next stop was the village of Salisbury, which I would love to go back to. I spent all the time wondering the breathtaking Cathedral, which holds one of the four original copies of the Magna Carta. I had lunch in the refectory with a few friends, and then headed back to the bus. However, on the way back, we stopped at St. Thomas Church and saw the original Doom painting.

Inside Salisbury Cathedral

Doom Painting

Next Stop: Lacock! (This part is for you Lauren!) We headed to the Lacock Abby, which was founded by Ela, Countess of Salisbury. Many of the cloisters there were used in the filming of Harry Potter. 

Where Harry let Hedwig fly one winter day

A hallway where Hogwarts students travel from class to class 

The classrooms of Professors McGonagall, Snape & Quirrell

Outside Dumbledore's Office, where Dobby sent Lucius Malfoy flying with the words, "You shall not harm Harry Potter"

Our last stop for the day, dinner at the George Inn in Lacock. It was absolutely Delicious! I had Chicken wrapped in ham, which then looked like it was wrapped in some sort of croissant. Through there was gravy on it, I surprisingly didn't hate it. Then for dessert.... Torte! (which is basically a chocolate mousse pie.... YUM!)

So I have finally arrived in Bath! I believe I'm still quite jet-lagged because by 2 in the aftern
oon I become utterly exhausted.  The first four days here have been consumed with orientation - which can be, at times, tedious. However, all the staff and faculty members are wonderful. I've settled in  quite nicely within my flat and room. I live in a flat with three other US girls in the programme. We share two bathrooms and a kitchen. Underneath our flat is a Greek restaurant / bar. 

My flat is in the building that is a brownish color

Add caption

 Yesterday, the whole group went into the Bath Abby, had tea, and was given a tour. This amazingly beautiful church sits smack in the center of the city. It is actually the third church to be built on that ground. Because it is the third church, their is a gap underground where thousands a individuals lay to rest and they have tablets in their memory. One of the ceilings within the Abby is made completely out of one stone (see picture below).





















Tuesday I met my teacher who I will be working with in these next 15 weeks and was given a tour of the school I am placed at. The school is a primary school in a small quiet village, which is only a 15 minute bus ride away. I am really excited to get back into the classroom.
Tonight is a "smart" event where we get to dress up and meet our tutors (professors). Tomorrow I am seeing Spring Awakening at the Theater Royal, then Sunday is Stonehenge!