Day #98 - London, England (Oxford University)

Oxford Streets

Looking Through Christ Church

Gondola Rides on nearby stream

Tom Tower

Radcliffe Camera

Sunday, June 20th

Today I took the train from West Drayton out to Oxford - the home of Oxford University, one of the most prestigious colleges in the world.

Something about me you may not know is that I have a great interest in colleges and really enjoy touring them whenever I get a chance. I have a list of the Top 20 universities in the US along with all the colleges in the Big 6 Conferences (Big 12, Big 10, Pac 10, ACC, Big East, Sec). This lists includes 88 total schools. I've been to 58 of these to date - I hope to visit the rest at some point. Each one has something unique. I remember calling my sister while viewing Touchdown Jesus at the University of Notre Dame or the time I talked with my mom for an hour while walking around Harvard.

My interest in colleges stems somewhat from my time spent as a career specialist/supervisor while attending the University of Missouri. During the 4 years I spent at the center, I was able to help different students with career decisions - one of which was exploring postgraduate education. I figure that my path may lead me somewhere in this area in the future. I figured I'd be prepared by doing some recon on the national universities.

Oxford University - spectacular. First of all, it's not a campus at all. I asked the lady when I got off the train if she could direct me to the university. Her response: "Young lad, Oxford was here long before the idea of campuses came about. Oxford is made up of 39 different buildings/campuses scattered all around town" My response: "Wow - thanks my lady. Cheers!"

Oxford first emerged as a formal center of learning around 1167. All of the 39 current colleges were founded before the 16th century. The town is incredible. It's easily walkable and very, very unique. I walked over to the area called Christ Church. Founded in 1529, Christ Church is home to about 550 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Tom Tower is a huge tower that serves as one of the entrances into Christ Church and a gateway to the Great Quadrangle. It houses Tom, a seven ton bell. Every night at five-past nine, Tom tolls 101 times. The origianl 101 students of the college had to be within the walls by the last toll.

I then walked over to another site called the Radcliffe Camera. This is a huge dome building that was originally home to the main research library on the campus. It's now a seating area for the present-day central library - which sits nearby.

I then walked along the open field that surrounds Christ Church. You come to this area with a meandering stream. People are taking gondola rides like you were in Venice. Eventually this leads to the river, where many students row during the semesters.

The place is awesome. The whole town feels comfortable. A note to my little nieces and nephews - research the words "Rhodes Scholar". This is the world's oldest and most prestigious international graduate scholarship. People such as Bill Clinton have accepted this scholarship. If you're into sports, you may have heard of the name - Myron Rolle, from Florida State University. He was a starting cornerback on the football team and also has aspirations to be a neuro-surgeon after professional football. He chose to delay his NFL career by attending Oxford last year.

The US sponsors 32 Rhodes Scholars each year - why shouldn't this be you. I'm just putting a bug in your ear. This is something I had never really heard about - but I don't think it would hurt if added on a resume.

I spent about 4 hours in Oxford today. It's over an hour train ride west of London - but worth it for me. Old, historic = prestigious.