Pandemic Plans The current Covid pandemic has changed many aspects of international travel. This blog reflects my trip to Oxford University as a Visiting Student to Pembroke College in 2017. I plan on returning in early October for graduate school studies and will compare the current atmosphere with my prior experiences.
One of the most important things when applying to Oxford is choosing a College. There are more than 35 to choose from, spread out over the entire city. Most undergraduate and many graduate students live in the Colleges. As many Colleges are old, and some are even older, accessibility varies. It is worth researching a College’s facilities and location within the city before committing to living there. Luckily for me, Pembroke is centrally located in the inner city of Oxford and has a good amount of accessibility including the chapel and dining hall, with the notable exception of the library’s second floor. Some of the more modern Colleges are completely accessible. Although you do not have to select a College on your application, you are more likely to get a space at an accessible College if you name a preferred College and disclose your disability. I recommend disclosing your disability as early as possible in order to give adequate notice to the College and to Oxford’s Office of Disability Advisory Service that provides accommodations.
From ordering my sub-fusc, to trying out punting on the lake, Oxford was full of fun first favorites for me. Although I did not join the punting team, I got a great photo with them. Sitting in that boat was awesome and made me feel like a true Pembrokian!
Another excellent experience was my first dinner in formal hall. I was in awe of the beautiful “Harry Potter” architecture of the room, especially the arched ceiling, and a bit intimidated by the opening prayer in Latin! (Don’t worry, you will not be the only new student unsure of what is happening)!
Another one of my favorite firsts was wearing Oxford’s traditional subfusc which is a formal outfit worn to events such as matriculation into the University or select formal dinners. As all students and faculty in Oxford have to wear it in one form or another, it made me feel a true part of the community, even as a Visiting Student.
There is no doubt that the academics at Oxford can be extremely challenging, however, the experience of studying there makes the work atmosphere pleasant. Everyone who is at Oxford works hard but enjoys doing so. If you are passionate about your subject your enthusiasm will be appreciated by your tutors and this will make you want to do better each week. Your tutors are experts in their areas of study and their weekly discussions with you provide continuous reasons to explore and learn more about your subject! If you are studying a humanities subject, get ready to read! You will be expected to read as many books or articles as possible from a lengthy weekly list and write a short essay answering one question. Then you will have an hour-long session with your tutor, either one on one or with several other students, to discuss your essay. Although this may seem daunting, everyone conforms rather quickly to the pressured schedule. Your tutors can be accommodating, especially if they see that you put in effort. For example, during one assignment, I struggled with reading a primary source online that was in a very faint original print, and my tutor found me an alternate text to access. Also, if you have any problems with the timing of your assignments, you should tell your tutors immediately. For the most part, they want you to thrive and be happy and healthy while you learn.
Oxford’s library system is unified through its famous Bodleian library that is centrally located and connects each college’s library resources. The Bodleian houses rare ancient texts and manuscripts, many renowned special collections such as that on the French Enlightenment, and original copies of numerous authors’ works including famous Oxford alumni Lewis Carroll, J.R.R. Tolkien, and so many others. Whether you are perusing the stacks in the older sections of the library to check out books for your weekly assignments, or studying or napping in the newer wings, you cannot help but think of all those who have come before you. As wonderful as the Bodleian is, its elevator or lift cannot be relied on. I had my carer registered as my library proxy to check out materials if I was not able to do so myself, something I recommend doing in advance. This came in handy several times when the elevator went down, or during the rare Oxford snowstorm in December. Your College’s library can also order materials to be delivered to your College site, but this can take a few days. Overall, every librarian I met at Oxford was gracious and helpful.
Most people who work or study at Oxford love being there. It is a beautiful place to visit and live. The history of Oxford as a University and as a city is what makes it special. You can have coffee on High Street in the first coffee house established in Europe, or listen to a lecture in the same examination school building that Stephen Hawking attended. The ancient buildings and towering spires, complete with peering gargoyles, provide the perfect backdrop for the historic mood. And a convenient visit to Blackwell’s bookstore to grab a read, tops off the experience. If you travel in a wheelchair, be aware that the main streets may become crowded during rush hours, and the curb cuts are not on every corner or lined up from street to street, but I managed in a motorized chair on most excursions, and you can too. There are enough newer pubs, larger accessible stores and theaters to make exploring the town fun. There is also a new Westgate Mall on Queen Street with a rooftop full of restaurants with breathtaking views of the city.
Worth Mentioning: One important logistical decision I made early on was acquiring a foldable motorized wheelchair that I had shipped directly to Pembroke College. I used a vendor in the UK and the chair was made for the UK electrical plug but was adaptable for the US when I returned. I shipped it back with most of my luggage because I did not want to risk it becoming damaged on the plane. Even though it may be a bit more expensive, I recommend shipping as many pieces of bulky luggage or equipment as possible. This makes it easier to travel and ensures your wheelchair arrives in one piece! One company I had excellent results with is My Baggage (formerly called Uni Baggage). You fill out a form with your address and where you are shipping to and get an immediate price quote. You print your labels, wrap your box or suitcase in cellophane wrap, and arrange a pick-up. It usually takes a few days to arrive at the destination. I used this company several times throughout my travels in Europe and found it highly reliable.
I hope you enjoyed my intro to days at Oxford. For now, that’s a wrap.
Until next time, Wheel On!