Studying in the City of Dreaming Spires, Oxford

Originally I was unsure of where I wanted to go for my exchange semester, but when I saw that UTS partnered with a university in Oxford, I knew I had to apply. Oxford Brookes University in the UK is a diverse university, both culturally and in its subject selection. I was easily able to find subjects that both challenged and intrigued me. Culturally, the UK is quite similar to Australia, and the subjects I attended were run in a similar fashion to classes at UTS. However, the real appeal of this university is getting to study and live in Oxford.

England is an old country, and you can truly feel this walking through the streets of Oxford, from the cobbled roads to the impressive churches and colleges, you can sense the history of the town. In the summer, you can row yourself down the River Thames, which winds its way around Oxford, and in the winter, you can explore the ancient castles and halls, some of which have been used in the filming of movies like Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter. The city is small enough to walk everywhere, but there are a large number of buses that help get you around and even to and from the various airports. Since Oxford is predominantly a student city, you will be surrounded by people in similar walks of life, which makes connecting and making new friends very easy. Students across the globe travel to study here, making it a melting pot of different cultures and stories. I’ve met some truly amazing people from many different countries who often don’t travel to Australia.

I organised my housing in Oxford independently; however, Oxford Brookes does provide student accommodation for incoming exchange students located near the city centre and right next to the university campus. While eating out can be a little expensive in the UK, the accommodations come with kitchens, so you can make your meals if you want. I found myself craving some dishes that I couldn’t find in the UK, and learned to cook them out of desperation. Oxford is a city of secrets, with many shops and things hidden in alleyways or tucked away. I’ve spent most of my semester exploring the city and each time I discover something new. Oxford does live in its own bubble; however, London is relatively nearby if you need a change of scenery. While travelling around the UK can be somewhat difficult, Oxford Brookes offers daytrips around the country to some of its more well-known attractions, like Brighton. Of course, the UK can be used as a home base while you travel around Europe as well.

Sean Ling
Bachelor of Science Bachelor of International Studies
Oxford Brookes University
United Kingdom

For more information about the UTS Global Exchange program, visit: www.uts.edu.au/thinkglobal