Oxford Study Abroad: Week 1 in Oxford

Week 1 in Oxford is complete! I was so excited to be in Oxford to begin my study abroad journey that I shared some details about my first day. A daily update isn’t realistic while I’m here because after all, I’m here at Oxford to study abroad and explore and that takes priority! However, let’s see if a weekly update is sustainable.

First, let’s talk a little about the weather. This first week was unseasonably hot. I mean we’re talking 90 degrees plus most days and humidity that makes you feel sticky and yucky. The weather is important to note because, in my spare time I sat in front of the fan trying to keep cool. Most of us did not plan for this type of weather, what many locals were calling an Indian summer. So, walking miles in jeans and thicker materialled clothing seemed very unappealing.

I already shared what I explored on my first day, but let’s get into my second full day in Oxford! To get myself oriented to my new town, I simply walked around exploring different streets and shops. After a delicious breakfast at the Organic Deli Café & Catering, I ventured down to Christ Church College and enjoyed the beautiful grounds, including these weeping willow trees.

Basking in the beauty of the botanic gardens on the Christ Church College, I stopped to take in my surroundings and acknowledge that I was about to begin an amazing journey!

Oxford Study Abroad: Academic Director-Led Course

To comply with state requirements, my study abroad cohort must complete an Academic Director-led course before our tutorials begin in October. The course is on medieval history in England. We’ve been learning about politics, social structures, religion, and important people and literature in medieval England. In our first week, we took two “field trips” to explore some of this history up close.

Field Trip to the Ashmolean Museum

First, we went to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford to view the cast of the West side of the Arch of Trajan at Benevento. The Arch of Trajan is an ancient Roman triumphal arch located in the city of Benevento, in southern Italy. The Arch, built between AD 114 and 117, celebrated the victories of the Roman Emperor Trajan in the Dacian Wars. The arch is one of the best-preserved examples of Roman architecture in Italy.

Brief History of the Ashmolean Museum

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is one of the oldest museums in the world. It was established in 1683 and named after its founder, Elias Ashmole, who donated his collection of curiosities to the University of Oxford. The original Ashmolean Museum opened on Broad Street in 1683, in the building that is now the History of Science Museum. The museum has since moved (in 1894) to Beaumont Street, where it currently sits behind the University Art Galleries. To learn more about the Ashmolean Museum and its collection, visit its website here.

Field Trip to the British Museum

Our second field trip was to the British Museum in London. There we viewed the artifacts recovered at Sutton Hoo. We have an assignment due about these items. Perhaps, I will upload that assignment as a separate post, if anyone is interested.

Brief History of Sutton Hoo

The discovery at Sutton Hoo is a significant archaeological find that sheds light on the Anglo-Saxon period in England. An excavation of the burial site in 1939 uncovered a ship burial containing a wealth of treasures and artifacts from the 7^th century. It revealed the existence of a previously unknown Anglo-Saxon kingdom, which had been powerful and wealthy enough to afford such a lavish burial.

The discovery provided valuable information about the burial practices and customs of the Ango-Saxon people, as well as their social hierarchy and trading links with other cultures. The artifacts found included a helmet, sword, drinking horns, and silver spoons, among other objects.

This trip to London is significant for another reason as well. We went on a Thursday and had the rest of the weekend to ourselves. So, I decided to go on a bit of an excursion. Stay tuned to read about where I went. My first full week was action-packed but allowed for ample time for reflection. I am so grateful for this unique opportunity!

Want more about my experience with the Oxford Study Abroad program?