Be More Trip to Oxford

Here Rana (Year 11) gives her review of the Be More trip to Oxford:

Oxford is home to the second-best university in the entire world, with impressive alumni such as David Cameron and Margret Thatcher, both of which are controversial but important parts of British Politics. I never thought that I would be able to witness the beauty of the campus up close, only being able to admire from afar and wonder what life would be like as a student attending one of the most prestigious universities ever. On 21st of January this changed when my peers and I embarked on our journey to Exeter College, Oxford all thanks to Mr Millard and Miss Inchenko! 

We started our day at Paddington Station, with coffee in one hand and a train ticket in the other. Feelings of excitement fused with nervousness bubbled around us, eager for the day ahead. Once we arrived, we were greeted with a big gush of frosty wind, Oxford’s way of welcoming us into the safe haven of its city; not my favourite type of welcome, but it will do! We explored the expanding colours of the houses that were paved along the road, and saw students riding their bikes on their way to the first lecture of the day.

Our first activity of the day was the museum with a colonial past. We learnt about Cecil Rhodes, the 19th-century businessman who has become a prominent figure in the debate about Britain’s colonial history , imperialism, colonialism and racism. During the workshop it was explained how the museum has been working with groups of people who have directly been affected by colonialism, and whose cultures have been forcefully washed away. This enables the communities to communicate what they feel is appropriate and respectful to their heritage and can therefore be put on display. Afterwards we were able to explore the objects, which came from all around the world such as Mongolia, Zimbabwe and many more countries whose people suffered greatly.  This made me realise how the Western World has at times misused other cultures and failed to accurately portray its own actions and cultures and it made my peers and I incredibly sad. 

Doctor James then gave us a tour of Exeter College, showing us the beauty of the campus as well as explaining the different practices and traditions that take place within the university.  It was an amazing feeling to understand that many great and influential people have most likely walked the same halls and gardens that I did, making it even more exhilarating!  

After lunch, we set out to the Bodleian libraries where we were given a tour. The library was one of the most breathtaking things I had seen, a chorus of bookshelves stacked with ancient volumes, a banquet of different coloured spines, with a tall window that overlooked the serenity of the library. The perfect place for any Harry Potter fan.

Oxford is one of the most beautiful cities in the United Kingdom. A true dream to anyone who is lucky to be able to study there. I will never forget the time-honoured campus.