After two weeks of orientation I have finally found time to get together my blog for this year. I spent one week in London with the study abroad program and one week in Oxford for Fresher's Week!
Fresher's Week entailed an inordinate number of lectures where I learned one thing - Oxford people like to talk. Some of them like to talk because they are able to grasp the audience's attention and get a couple of laughs along the way. Others merely want to show off their intellectual abilities. Still others want to tell you to remember to set your alarm clock because your mum isn't going to wake you up in the morning anymore.
Fortunately, there were lots of fun events in the evening that got us through the week. The Fresher's Dinner was incredible. Everyone dressed up in their nicest clothes and met in the best building on campus for pre-dinner champagne. We mingled with the other students and the tutors before going into the hall for dinner. I had the honor of sitting at high table that night, which is only permitted if you are either a fellow of the college or their guest. Since we were seated by subject, they chose the PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) students to sit at the high table that night. We then enjoyed a 3-course dinner by candlelight and learned about some of the college's history in a speech from the Principal.
The next night was the consummation of Fresher's Week: the bop. Note that here they don't call them dances or formals - it's simply a bop. The theme of the bop was "Superheroes and Villains" so I just had to wear my superman costume. I got a lot of compliments for my outfit when I was walking downtown, so I think I might have to wear it more often!
More on matriculation, academics, and USA-UK rivalries to come!
To see pictures, go to this link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2067046&id=1228590369&l=a947038231
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