"Can you ever imagine living one of your dreams? I just have! My experience has been a life changing one for me."
Can you ever imagine living one of your dreams? I just have! My experience has been a life changing one for me.
I was accepted by Oxford University into the Creative Writing Programme held at Exeter College which began in late July this year. This College is one of the oldest at Oxford. It took me a few days to settle down into day to day life because I was overawed as a resident in a College which was founded in 1314.
My first memory of Exeter was stepping through a heavy, wooden, fortress door into a portico where the porter greets new students or visitors which opens out into a quadrangle of manicured lawn. To the left of the lodge is Exeter Chapel, a perfect example of Gothic architecture which was built on the original site of the old Chapel in about 1847. There is a magnificent tapestry in the Chapel hanging under stained glass windows which was designed and created by two founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Movement, also previous members of the College, William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones. The tapestry is the Adoration of the Magi.
On leaving the Chapel you walk around a corner stepping onto cobblestones. Nearby, racks of student bikes some with wicker baskets attached, reminded me of scenes from an English war movie. They lay in silent rows waiting for the student’s return to College after their vacation. After depositing my bags in my room I wandered into Fellows’ Garden, a sanctuary of flora typically English country garden in design but which is surrounded by part of the town’s original, stone wall. Near neighbours are the Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera.
"My fellow students came from all parts of the globe; South America, UK, USA, Germany, Cyprus, Ireland, Canada, India and Ghana. We had the time of our lives."
My fellow students came from all parts of the globe; South America, UK, USA, Germany, Cyprus, Ireland, Canada, India and Ghana. We had the time of our lives. There was some free time on weekends for organised tours to Blenheim Palace, punting on the river, (a surreal experience) and a plethora of walking tours. Imagine straw boaters, flat bottomed boats, summer afternoons eating strawberries, rowing past ancient trees and you begin to imagine why I had to pinch myself I was there. As well, most Colleges had a choral concert, chamber music ensemble or Shakespearean play you could attend in the early evening. Many students met after dinner in the under croft bar then went on a local pub walk.
My tutors were both published authors and poets. They were highly qualified in Poetry, Biography and Creative Writing. They were also current lecturers at Oxford University. I had a choice of two units of study to be completed in three weeks. Our twice weekly tutorials and daily plenary lectures were stimulating, informative and academically challenging. We were introduced to editors, publishers, agents, authors and poets who gave their time, knowledge and advice about writing, publishing and the realities of working in the literary world today. One of my tutors created more workshop hours to assist us with our work/assignments. Our Director, Dr Sandie Byrne even offered her time for a lunch time poetry reading as well as organising evening mic sessions where we all had an opportunity to read our work to a wider audience. Undergraduate or post graduate students had the opportunity to have their grades credited to their Degrees if prior arrangements had been made with their home Universities.
Meals were taken in the Hall. It was like walking onto the set of a Harry Potter film. Long, dark-stained tables, bench seats, table lamps, white china, surrounded by gilt framed portraits of past Rectors and benefactors of the College peered down at us as we ate our meals. Gothic, stained glass windows reflected morning light onto us in a way I will never forget.
One evening after dinner a local, Shakespearean, dramatic group performed a play in the Hall for us. The Oxford Township was regularly abuzz with tourists, student groups, and local holiday makers enjoying the historical landmarks during their summer vacation. I enjoyed walking to Rewley House where I had access to excellent library resources which was within walking distance to the Oratory, local restaurants, second-hand shops, fashion, book and antique shops.
One of the highlights of my visit to Oxford was the friendships I made during the course. One student organised a Talent Night which was held on our second last evening at Exeter. It showcased the talent of some of the students who claimed they were better at performance than writing! The final song by Britta an American student, in conjunction with a German student on piano was, “All You Need Is Love, Love Is All You Need”.
Our final evening culminated in pre-dinner drinks in Fellow’s Garden, a formal dinner, presentation of certificates, many photographs, some tears but an experience we all will be forever changed from as a result of being students at Oxford University Summer Programme 2009.
I want to give very special thanks to Rob Malicki for his encouragement, enthusiasm and support of my application to Oxford. At all times from my first contact with him until our final email before my return to Australia, he was at all times the consummate professional. In the beginning, I received regular emails about accommodation, academic programmes, Oxford University requirements, course details, university web site information, travel insurance, emergency contact in the UK and a myriad of answers to my personal queries. Without his assistance and the umbrella AIM Overseas provided, I would never have considered that one of my dreams could possibly come true. All photos and text by Angela Dyson. All rights reserved.
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