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.