#honorsprogram

~by Irene Yang

There are some moments in life that don’t just happen; they imprint themselves into your memory like a photograph. That’s what this summer has been for me. The Oxford Summer Study Abroad program has not only allowed me to experience academic growth, but it’s also given me emotional and personal revelations that I’ll carry with me for a long time.

From the cobblestone streets of Florence to the calm waters off the island of Lido, every destination brought its own story. What tied it all together was the deeper connection I felt to history, humanity, and myself. Below are two of the most meaningful “globally engaged” experiences I had this summer and my personal reflection on why Oxford was, without a doubt, the best summer of my life.

Lido, Venice

One of the most unforgettable moments from the travel portion of the program happened in Venice. Well, just a short ferry ride away on a narrow island called Lido.

After a day of lectures or museum visits, a group of us would board the ferry and head to the beach on the far side of the island. The beach wasn’t touristy or overly crowded. It was wide, open, and felt like it belonged to us. The moment we stepped onto the sand, it felt like all the intensity of learning, walking, and navigating new places melted away. We swam, played music on a speaker, watched the sun dip into the horizon, and laughed until the last light faded.

It reminded me of home, the beaches I grew up loving, and filled a gap I didn’t even know I was carrying during our travels. But even more than the peace it brought me, Lido was where our group bonded deeply. Something about watching the sunset together, sharing snacks, and walking back in damp clothes with sand in our shoes made us close. We went from classmates and co-travelers to true friends, and that wouldn’t have happened without Lido.

Reflecting on this experience, I realized how much space matters. Physical space and emotional space both play a huge role in how we experience things. That beach gave us both. I learned that moments of rest and shared joy are just as crucial to learning abroad as formal lectures. They provide the emotional energy and companionship to absorb everything else. My advice to anyone going on this program is to bring a digital camera and a speaker. You’ll want to remember these little moments and create more of them.

Michelangelo’s David

During our time in Florence, we visited the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze, where Michelangelo’s David stands.

We had studied David in our art history class earlier that week. I had taken notes, listened to the background about how Michelangelo carved him from a single block of marble, and how the sculpture was designed to portray a moment of intense focus just before the battle with Goliath. David is not shown as a calm victor, but as a tense, alert young man on the edge of action. Knowing this changed how I understood the piece.

But none of that prepared me for seeing it in person.

The sculpture is absolutely massive. It towers above, with every vein, muscle, and curve carved to perfection. I was frozen. I literally got goosebumps. For the first time, I felt the art rather than just looking at it. I understood what people mean when they say art can move you.

That moment changed the way I think about art and artists. It made me realize how much planning, imagination, and emotional depth goes into creating something like this. Michelangelo had to see that figure in the stone before he ever made a cut. He had to understand human anatomy, myth, politics, and psychology to express one fleeting moment in marble. That’s not just talent. That’s genius-level storytelling. It made me respect artists not just as skilled hands, but also as thinkers, philosophers, and engineers.

It’s hard to express how powerful it is to stand in front of something you’ve only seen in textbooks or slides. I learned that being physically present changes your perception completely. Seeing David in person gave me a connection to the past that no photo or video could offer.

Reflection

This Oxford Program was not just a summer abroad. It was an entire worldview shift. Every place we visited and every course we took added new layers to my understanding of the world.

The Art History and Music courses during the travel portions were deeply enriching. Seeing paintings and sculptures in their original context (standing in cathedrals where masses were once held, or in galleries where artists’ visions were realized) gave me a rare insight into how people in the past understood the world. It’s one thing to learn from a book, but another to walk the same streets as Dante, or stand where Bach once composed. Being physically in those places made the history come alive.

And then there was Oxford itself, a place I’ve dreamed of visiting for so long. Studying European Intellectual History at Oxford felt surreal. Sitting in centuries-old lecture halls and libraries, surrounded by students from all over the world, I often had moments where I paused and thought, “I can’t believe I’m really here.” It made me reflect more deeply on my life, my goals, and my place in the world.

This program reminded me that the world is big, complex, and shaped by countless people whose lives are now only stories, but whose legacies live on in architecture, literature, and ideas. It was overwhelming at times, but in the best possible way. It forced me to slow down, to think, to take it all in, and to realize how small yet connected we all are.

If you’re a student considering this program, here’s what I would say: Do it. Bring your curiosity, your patience, and your sense of wonder. You’ll come back changed in ways you didn’t expect.

Some final thoughts, this summer was more than just unforgettable. It was transformative. I came for the academics, but I leave with a richer sense of history, humanity, and friendship.

~by Dhruv Narang

Our Oxford Summer 2025 trip started not with a landmark or museum. It started in Philadelphia.

Basically almost the whole of group 2 missed our 50 minute layover in philadelphia as our flight from atlanta was delayed. Everyone was struggling and eventually they booked us into a hotel room, all exhausted. But the reality? That random 24-hour detour might’ve been the best thing that happened to us. It was a chance to get to know people before we even reached Europe, more importantly, it set the stage for what would be one of the closest groups in Oxford program history (everyone says it, and I’m pretty sure we mean it).

That travel hiccup also started a trend within me: when there was a vacuum, I filled it. When other people weren’t sure what to do or where to go, I planned, able to leverage my past European experiences in France, Spain, Italy, Turkey and the UK. When we needed to figure out where to eat, what to do, or how to spend our time, I took the lead. That started in Lisbon, but it didn’t stop there.

Lisbon: Taking the Lead from Day One

After Philly, we finally made it to Lisbon, tired, excited, and VERY behind schedule. Some had no idea how to start the day. It was our first day in europe and though everyone was exhausted, I opened Google Maps and said, “We’re exploring.”

That’s how I found myself becoming the unofficial group planner.

I took everyone (a group of about 20 of us) on the train toward the winding Alfama backstreets, then climbed aboard the famous Tram 28, squeezing in among tourists up hills so steep I couldn’t fathom why it didn’t tip over. I guided us to Time Out Market, where we sampled everything from risotto to char-grilled octopus to pastel de nata to some amazing drinks. That market served as a benchmark for the rest of the trip—a measure of day-one enchantment and squad camaraderie.

We ended the evening at a hilltop miradouro, watching the sunset blaze across the red roofs. That was just day 1 followed by a day of planned activities and a local full group 2 going out to a jazz club. 

Seville: The Rhythm of Leadership

I planned again in Seville, this time leading us to a local music festival we stumbled upon during a walk. This festival featured Spanish artists like Zahara and Rigoberta Bandini, which was a fantastic first delve into modern Spanish culture. 

The next few days were consecutive. I helped plan visits to the Setas de Sevilla, El Disparate (a fun tapas bar that was filled with locals), and then the Real Alcázar, a fairytale told in mosaic. With every outing, our group became more tight-knit. People trusted my recommendations, asked what was next, and followed behind me through unfamiliar cities as if we’d been traveling for years.

The flamenco show we watched was adrenaline-pure. Seeing it with the group I’d helped gather made it even more intense. These weren’t activities. They were experiences I had a part in shaping, and that made all the difference to me.

Madrid: Planning Meets Art, and Dinner Becomes Ritual

By Madrid, I had settled well and truly into my position, people started saying, “Ask Dhruv what we’re doing,” or, “Where are we going to eat tonight?” And I had an answer. Always.

We visited the Prado, and seeing The Garden of Earthly Delights, a painting we’d learned about in class, was like déjà vu in the best way. It was eerie and brilliant and more impactful because we were seeing it as a group of humans who now had more in common than a syllabus.

That night, I brought a crew to ISA at the Four Seasons, a modern 8-course dinner that was akin to performance art. The presentation was as beautiful as the food was innovative—beautifully crafted sushi, saffron sea bass, lime ice in hollowed-out fruit. The next day? We balanced it out with Takos al Pastor, maybe €2 a taco, no reservation, no frills. Both dinners were equally memorable in entirely different ways.

We were not just eating. We were bonding over meals. By now, meals had become our group’s reset button, time to slow down, reconnect, and laugh. 

Barcelona: The Tour Guide Era

I had visited Barcelona twice before, so I took it upon myself, naturally. I planned a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, Plaça Reial, the marina, and finally the beach. I knew where all the right turns were, where the views were best, and even where we could get shade when the sun got too intense.

That knowledge gave me confidence, and our group leaned into it. People started saying things like “Dhruv always knows where we’re going.” It wasn’t just helpful. It became part of our identity.

We visited Palau de la Música, Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, and the Sagrada Familia, each featuring Gaudí’s bizarre brilliance. These were not buildings but architectural masterpieces. As someone who is fascinated by architecture, having designed multiple homes, 3 of which have been built in some form, and one of which drew on gaudi’s work, seeing these sights was amazing. 

And the boat trip, which I assisted in planning for the entire Oxford group. Sunset views, karaoke, dancing on deck. No one missed it, and no one wanted it to end. That night, we all said the same thing: we’re the tightest Oxford group the program ever saw. I think it’s because we didn’t simply visit places together, we traveled together, like a well-choreographed trip that I was subtly coordinating behind the scenes.

Paris: The Power of a Reservation

Septime, let’s talk about it.

Michelin-starred. Ultra-sustainable. Impossible to get into. And somehow… I was able to snag us a table. Making the reservation was incredibly hard and something I had planned since Seville. I picked this place due to its uniqueness and affordability (around 10$ a dish). Dining there was like time stood still.

Every dish, the charred carrot was smoky and sweet, likely paired with something acidic or nutty to highlight its depth. The tuna dish was delicate, probably seared or raw, showcasing freshness with umami-driven accents. The duck, served two ways, offered richness and contrast: a perfectly roasted cut alongside a lettuce wrap filled with confit or offal, balanced with pickled or herbal notes. Finally, the almond and asparagus plate was a springtime standout: soft, green, and nutty, capturing Septime’s signature restraint and elegance.

Later that week, we went to the Paris music festival, climbed up the Eiffel Tower, went on a Seine river cruise, visited Saint Chapelle, and saw the Basilica de Montmartre, watching the sunset over the city from there, listening to a street performer while eating pizza with friends. 

That’s the kind of week that’s perfect for Paris.

Belgium: Detours, Waffles, and a Beach I Didn’t Mean to Find

Our final travel portion stop in Brugge was quiet. But then I suggested a day trip to Ghent, and… well, things didn’t go according to plan.

We boarded the wrong train. Ended up at the beach. In Belgium. Completely unplanned, totally off-track, and of course, hilarious. Everyone just rolled with it. That’s kind of who we were by then: the type of group who could accidentally end up oceanside and still make it a core memory.

Eventually, we rerouted and made it to Ghent, which ended up being the true highlight of the Belgian leg. The canals, the medieval buildings, the vibe, it was vibrant in a way Brugge wasn’t. I was proud of pulling the plan back together even after a chaotic start. And naturally, we wrapped the day with Otto waffles, which I would book a flight back for tomorrow if I could.

Oxford, the adventure continues:

After that: the fun does not stop! We went to Wimbeldon, Jurassic Coast UK, Berlin and Hamburg, and Switzerland (2 weekends!, Zurich, Interlaken, Lucerne and Zermatt + accidentally ended up in Italy while skiing). Plus we saw 2 concerts: Lana Del Rey and Kendrick/SZA, buying last minute tickets to go for cheap! Plus we really enjoyed many nights out and the amazing group formal dinner. 

For Future HP Oxford Students:

If you’re reading this and deciding whether to apply, the answer is yes. It will be a life-changing experience. But know this: the best moments won’t be on the schedule. They’ll be the ones you create.

Say yes to things. Book the boat tour. Find the secret restaurant. Go to that concert. Be the person who finds the view that no one else finds.

~by Emma Lumpkin

I absolutely loved my time in the Oxford Program this summer! It’s hard to put into words just how much this experience has meant to me. As I look back on the past twelve weeks, I’m amazed by how much I’ve learned, how many places I’ve seen, and how many wonderful people I’ve met. This has truly been one of the most incredible and memorable experiences of my life.

Notable Global Experiences: Two of the most globally engaged experiences I had this summer were visiting the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria and attending the Vespers service at Heiligenkreuz Abbey just outside Vienna. These were very different moments, one filled with grief and reflection and the other with quiet beauty and awe, but both gave me a deeper sense of connection to history, to faith traditions, and to what it means to be human.

Visiting Mauthausen was deeply sobering. I’d studied the Holocaust in classes before, but standing in the actual place where people suffered and died brought everything into sharper focus. The silence at the site was heavy. Our group walked through the barracks, the roll call square, and the gas chamber, and I kept thinking about how terrifying it was that such horror can coexist with such plainness. What stuck with me most was the idea of memory as responsibility. That simply being there, learning, and carrying those stories forward matters. It wasn’t easy to process, but I’m glad we went. It taught me that global engagement isn’t always light or picturesque. Sometimes, it’s about being willing to look directly at what’s difficult and learning how to hold that weight respectfully.

The Vespers service at Heiligenkreuz Abbey offered something completely different, but just as powerful. We sat quietly as the monks sang ancient chants in Latin, and even though I didn’t understand the words, I felt incredibly at peace. The abbey itself has stood for centuries, and I kept thinking about how many people across generations had heard those same melodies in that same space. It reminded me that spiritual practice, music, and community are global languages, and that beauty can be found in stillness and tradition. I’ve never been part of a monastic or liturgical tradition myself, but I left feeling deeply moved and oddly hopeful.

Both of these experiences showed me that engaging globally doesn’t just mean trying new foods or visiting famous places. It’s also about sitting with discomfort, appreciating unfamiliar rituals, and letting those moments change the way you see the world.

What Made It Special: One of my favorite things about this program is how many different kinds of experiences I got to have. We started with a week of class in Atlanta to prepare, then spent five weeks traveling through Europe exploring new cities, visiting museums, going to concerts, and seeing historic monuments. After that, we spent six weeks in Oxford taking classes with Georgia Tech professors while living at Mansfield College. I loved the fast pace of the travel portion, but I also loved getting to slow down in Oxford, settle in, and really get to know the city. The contrast between the two parts of the summer made me feel like I got the best of both worlds.

Some things to consider:

This program is a marathon, not a sprint. The travel portion is intense. I was in Group 1, which meant we went to the most cities with the least time to settle in between. I loved how much we saw, but I also had to learn to balance all the extra activities with time to rest and recharge. You can’t do everything, and that’s okay.

The people on this program make it special. I made some really close friends, and I loved how quickly we built strong bonds. That said, you don’t have to do everything with the same people all the time. It’s okay to branch out and do stuff with different people. Some of my favorite memories came from spontaneous decisions or getting to expand my friend group even more.

Also, take pictures. Lots of them. You think you’ll remember everything, but the days start to blur together before you even arrive in Oxford. I made short little recap videos each night, and I’m so glad I did. A travel journal is also a great idea, even if you just write a sentence or two each day. It helps you process what you’re seeing and lets you look back on the small things that made the trip feel personal and real.

If a city is known for something, try it, even if it’s not what you’d normally go for. One of my favorite memories from the whole summer was going to a traditional beer garden in Munich with friends. I don’t like beer, but the atmosphere, the music, and the giant pretzels made it so much fun. We only left because it started hailing on us! Being willing to step out of my comfort zone led to so many moments like that, and I’m really grateful I didn’t let hesitation hold me back.

A quick tip: if you can sleep on a bus or plane, you will thrive. There are a lot of early mornings and long travel days, especially in the Group 1 schedule. Learning how to nap in motion is a game changer.

If you’re someone who usually avoids classes like art or music, don’t worry. I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy those subjects either, but getting to see paintings in person or hear live orchestras in historic venues changed everything. There’s something about experiencing the material right in front of you that makes it way more engaging, even if it’s outside your usual academic interests.

The Oxford Program is amazing, but it’s also a lot. Twelve weeks is a long time to be away from home, and there will probably be moments when you feel a little homesick. That’s completely normal. I definitely missed my family (and my pets) more than I expected, but what helped was how supportive and kind everyone on the program was. You’re surrounded by people going through the same thing, and it’s always okay to call home, send a quick text, or scroll through your pet photo album if you need a boost.

It’s helpful to budget beyond the program cost. There are extra expenses like meals, museum tickets (during your free time), weekend trips during the Oxford portion, souvenirs, and more. It’s all worth it, but it’s good to plan ahead.

Make the most of your time in Oxford too. Go punting on the river, visit the free museums, wander through the college courtyards, or get lost in Blackwell’s while looking through all the books. There’s something about the pace of the city that invites you to slow down and soak it all in.

Once you’re settled in Oxford, you’ll have three-day weekends most weeks, which are perfect for extra travel if you’re up for it. I spent one weekend visiting Stonehenge and Wales with my family, another at Disneyland Paris with a friend I met on the trip, and another meeting up with friends from a different study abroad program in Venice. It’s a great chance to explore even more and make unforgettable memories with people you care about.

Closing Thoughts: This summer challenged me in all the best ways. I grew academically, emotionally, and personally, and I feel like I’m returning to campus with a much broader view of the world and my place in it. It pushed me, but it also gave me so much joy, confidence, and perspective. If you’re even considering the Oxford Program, I can’t recommend it enough. Just be ready to learn, grow, and lean into the experience. Say yes to new things, take time to reflect, and enjoy every second you can! You’ll come away with far more than you expect.

Additional Photos:

~by Kylee Lange

“The memory” from my trip was a boat tour my friends and I took in Paris. We headed to the Eiffel Tower as the sun was setting, and saw an amazing view of the tower and the sky. During the tour, the sun set in its entirety and we experienced Paris at night. People on the docks and streets were waving at the people on the boat, creating an overall friendly atmosphere. On the tour we passed by multiple monuments and wi--

tnessed them at night with the shining lights, which were not as bright and prominent as they are in many American cities. When we neared the Eiffel Tower again, the lights on the tower were powered on with an occasional sparkle effect happening. Paris was the first city we visited on this trip and somewhere I have wanted to visit for many years, so this experience was extra special for me. Was the experience very tourist-y? Yes. But sometimes you need to embrace being a tourist, while still being respectful to the city and its citizens, and visit the tourist attractions. The Paris boat tour was an unforgettable experience that I will cherish for years to come.

“Speed-running cities is not as fun as it seems.” This sentence may not make a lot of sense or even be something that everyone agrees with, but it was a lesson that I learned. Sometimes, when you are in a city, it is hard to fight the urge to attempt to do everything, especially when the program first begins. Yes, it is fun to visit museums, monuments, tourist attractions, and the unique stores and restaurants, but attempting to cram everything into one day, or maybe two, becomes very stressful and might even be impossible. In the beginning of the travel portion, my friends and I wanted to fill every second of the day with something, focusing on quantity instead of quality. When we started to take our time in cities and give each location we truly wanted to visit enough time to enjoy it in its entirety, we found that we had more fun. While both experiences were so much fun, we found that visiting one castle and exploring Munich on foot was more enjoyable than having class for four hours, visiting a museum, visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, and then going on a boat tour by the Eiffel Tower; yes, we did this all in one day and immediately crashed in our hotel room afterwards. The Oxford Program is a marathon and not a sprint (something one of my friends would often say) and tiring oneself out in the first few days is not the smartest decision. The best piece of advice I can offer someone considering this program is to learn how you enjoy spending time while traveling and to find the right people to travel with, even if they change or alternate.

I will forever be grateful to myself that I decided to participate in the Oxford program. I had this idea of what the program was going to be and what I would experience just to watch all these ideas shattered into pieces in the first city. No one can predict what the Oxford program will be like for each Tech member, because the program offers everyone a significant amount of freedom to shape their own experiences. 

The aforementioned freedom is one of my favorite characteristics of this program. During the travel portion, there will be moments to explore the cities you are visiting, and there are not many restrictions on how to spend your free moments, so long as you are safe, it is legal, and you are on time for required excursions and concerts. I have many fond memories of navigating cities with Google and Apple maps with friends, searching for ways to spend our time before visiting museums or after class. Without this freedom, there would have been parts of the cities and countries we visited that I would never have seen.

Another reason I personally enjoyed my time in the Oxford program was the amount of time I had available to spend with friends. One of my personal favorite memories of the trip was a late night snack run after a concert. After a concert in Munich, a group of us saw this small convenience store - think a gas station without the gas part - that was still open, and we all popped in to see what they had. It was about 10pm and about 12 of us crowded into this poor man’s store to buy cheap ice cream bars. The ice cream was nothing special, in fact, most of the selection could have been purchased in the U.S. The fun part was walking back to the hotel, seeing the city at night, and laughing and talking with everyone while in our fancy concert outfits. 

For anyone considering applying to the program, I would highly encourage them to do so. I personally did it the summer between my first and second year - which I personally believe is the best time to do so - and I encourage anyone who wants to see a significant amount of Europe in a relatively short period of time. However, to be completely open about this program, it is expensive. There are the advertised program costs, the extra meals (you will be paying for a large number of your own meals), any souvenirs, and the cost for weekend trips and visiting any attraction, site, or museum not included in the program. This is not meant to scare off anyone interested in applying, only to ensure that anyone interested is aware of the costs of the program beforehand. 

Random Pieces of Advice 

Bring a water bottle around when you can, water can be hard to find and will not be free

You want distilled, still, or tap water at restaurants, if they ask, because you might end up with sparkling water instead

Always have small bills on you for bathrooms

Google translate and maps are your friends

You do not need to do everything with the same group of people for the entire trip

Record your memories - take photos, journal, do something so you can remember this trip

Very specific advice: If you have curly hair and like American curly hair care brands, bring enough products to last the entire program because the selection, even at Oxford, is very limited

Some Photos

~by Jalyn Fisher

During my time in the Oxford Program, I participated in several experiences that deeply engaged me with global history, culture, and human stories. Some of the most impactful experiences were visiting the concentration camps and exploring iconic cultural landmarks, such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, in Paris. These moments were eye-opening and incredibly meaningful, shaping my perspective on history, humanity, and my role in the world.

One of the most powerful experiences I had was visiting the concentration camps. These sites stand as haunting reminders of one of the darkest chapters in human history, the Holocaust. Walking through the camps, seeing the barracks, the gas chambers, and the grounds where unimaginable atrocities occurred brought history out of textbooks and into reality. It was a moment filled with a mix of sadness, shock, and reflection.

Standing where so many innocent people suffered and died made me realize how important it is to remember and honor their stories. It reinforced for me the dangers of hatred, intolerance, and blind obedience to destructive ideologies. The experience taught me that history is not just about facts and dates but about real people and the consequences of collective human actions.

Reflecting on this visit, I feel a stronger sense of responsibility to speak out against injustice and to advocate for human rights. The concentration camps are a global symbol that the world must never forget what can happen when prejudice and dehumanization are allowed to grow unchecked.

Another globally engaging experience was spending time in Paris visiting the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. The Louvre, with its vast and diverse collection of art spanning centuries, gave me a profound appreciation for the power of art and culture to connect people across time and geography. Walking through the galleries, I was struck by the stories each piece told of different societies, beliefs, and human creativity.

The Louvre felt like a conversation across generations and cultures, reminding me that art is a universal language that reflects both our differences and our shared humanity. It encouraged me to be more curious and open about perspectives outside my cultural background.

In contrast, the Eiffel Tower represented human ingenuity and modern cultural symbolism. I felt a deep sense of awe at what humans can build and achieve. The tower is more than a tourist attraction; it’s a symbol of progress, creativity, and the spirit of innovation. Also, it’s massive. There is nothing that could have prepared me for how big it is.

These experiences helped me see culture not just as history but as a living force that shapes identities and worldviews. They also made me realize the importance of preserving cultural heritage while embracing new ideas.

While these global sites and histories were impactful, what made the Oxford Program truly special for me was traveling alongside a close group of friends. Sharing every part of this journey, from navigating unfamiliar cities and exploring museums to late-night conversations and meals, created a deep bond that enhanced my overall experience.

Having friends around gave me a sense of safety and encouragement, making it easier to immerse myself in new environments and cultural experiences. We learned from each other’s perspectives, challenged one another to think critically, and found joy in the small moments together. This taught me the invaluable role that community plays in travel and learning.

In many ways, the relationships I built with my friends became the lens through which I experienced the world during the program. I learned that travel is not just about the places you visit but about the people you share those moments with. The friendships made the good times better and the challenging moments more manageable.

Looking back at the Oxford Program as a whole, it was one of the most transformative experiences I have had so far. It combined academic learning with cultural immersion and personal growth in a way that few other opportunities can match.

What stood out most to me was the well-maintained balance between structured academic learning and the freedom to explore. The lectures and classes challenged me intellectually, pushing me to think critically about history, culture, and global issues. At the same time, the excursions and free time allowed me to experience these lessons firsthand, making them tangible and real.

I especially appreciated the program’s focus on global engagement, not just learning facts but encountering history, culture, and social justice issues in person. This approach made the learning more profound and meaningful.

The program encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. Whether it was trying new foods, navigating public transportation in foreign cities, or engaging in conversations with people from different backgrounds, I grew in confidence and independence.

For any HP students thinking about applying, I have some advice that could help make your experience smoother and more enjoyable:

Pack for All Weather: The weather can be unpredictable, ranging from hot days to chilly evenings, especially depending on the locations visited. Bring layers and be prepared for both extremes to stay comfortable throughout the program.

Be Open and Make Friends: One of the best parts of the program is the people you meet. Be open to forming new friendships—you never know who you might end up spending time with or learning from. These connections can significantly enrich your experience.

Have Fun and Don’t Stress About Classes: While academics are important, remember the program is also about exploration and growth. Don’t worry too much about classes or perfection; enjoy the journey and make memories. Balancing learning with enjoyment is key to a fulfilling experience.

In conclusion, the Oxford Program was a life-changing opportunity. It allowed me to engage with history and culture on a global scale, broadened my perspective, and taught me lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. The friendships I formed, the places I visited, and the lessons I learned will stay with me for a lifetime.

~by Samuel Barnett

This summer I have had the extreme fortune of participating in the Georgia Tech Oxford Program, during which I’ve listened to world class musicians, tried new local cuisine, and gazed upon exquisite art and architecture. As someone with a passion for urban development, I was ecstatic that my first stop would be in Barcelona, Spain. That first evening, a small group of us decided to climb one of the many hills tucked in and around the city. Prior to embarking on this program, I was worried about getting to know new people; as I gazed over terracotta rooftops towards the Balearic Sea, I had no idea just how close I’d become with those around me.

One of my favorite class experiences was receiving a guided tour of the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, a behemoth church which has been under construction for nearly 150 years. Designed by legendary local architect Antoni Gaudí, the church is nothing short of extraordinary; the exterior is full of intricate figures and detailing, the top adorned with gigantic gothic revival spires. Despite its immense exterior, the interior somehow feels even more vast; in true Gaudí fashion, the interior defies any traditional architectural categorization, with its tree-like supports and chromatic stained-glass windows.

After seven days in Barcelona, we then headed towards Madrid, the capital of Spain, stopping overnight in one of the smaller cities, Zaragoza. Even though it was only one night, my crew was determined to still see the city; we eventually made way for El Parque Grande José Antonio Labordeta, a large rectangular park with gorgeous landscaping and water features; people of all ages meandered along paths or sat in the benches and on the grass, some fanning themselves as if to brush away the last of the day’s heat. We eventually found a nice spot overlooking the long park into the rest of the city; with the fountain burbling below us and a light breeze weaving through the banisters, we watched as the sun fell, peeking behind buildings, slowly melting away.

Though each group had their own share of amazing cities and experiences, one unique aspect of the Spain/Portugal group was spending more time in each city. Personally, I enjoyed being able to savor each city and getting to know it just that little bit better, even if that meant visiting a fewer number of cities than other groups. That extra time afforded us many half days (and even some full days) to explore the city on our own; many of my favorite memories on this trip have come from wandering with a friend with no destination in mind. Albaicin, in Granada, was one such neighborhood through which two friends and I wandered along cobblestone streets up hilly terrain, coming across several “miradors” or viewpoints with superb views of the midsize city. One such mirador looked out towards “La Alhambra”, a massive Medieval palace and fortress with Moorish and Christian influences from its many occupations. On a wall adjacent to the mirador, a small piece of graffiti read:

Tengo la Alhambra en frente y solo te miro a ti.

I have the Alhambra in front of me and I only look at you.

Some may call it saccharine, but I loved this demonstration of feeling; even though this one was (likely) romantic, it reminded me that, more broadly, despite differences in language, culture, and government, many of us face similar joy, sadness, excitement, and, yes, love.

I saw and heard these emotions in numerous influential artworks and pieces of music. My favorite concert was a nighttime open-air historically informed performance (HIP) in the Palace of Charles V in the Alhambra complex. Under the direction of Jordi Savall, a legendary Spanish composer and director, Le Concert des Nations performed works by Vivaldi and Bach using techniques, instruments, and tuning mirroring those used during the time in which the pieces were originally composed (hence “historically informed”). As a musician myself, each of the concerts was excellent, but none quite so invigorating as this one; something about the combination of location and technique captured a sound and feeling unlike any I’ve experienced back in the States.

Anyone who has met me knows of my passion for the art of coffeemaking, so this trip to Europe has been nothing short of fascinating in that regard. I’ve visited easily over three dozen specialty coffee shops, each with unique character and quality – in fact, I’m currently writing from Common Ground in Oxford, sitting across the table from a friend who visited many of these same places with me. I never envisioned that my niche obsession would be appreciated, let alone shared, but introducing these new ways of appreciating coffee to my friends has been one of the unsung highlights of my travels. If you visit these same cities, here are my top spots: Bracafe, Barcelona; Syra Coffee, Madrid; La Finca, Granada; Muy Coffee, Seville; and Copenhagen Coffee Lab, Lisbon.

Though most of my group’s travel time was spent in Spain, the last city on our itinerary was Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. In many ways, it was a fitting last stop – a coastal bustling city reminiscent of our first stop in Barcelona. On one of the last days, we took a half-day trip to Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca), the westernmost point of continental Europe overlooking the Atlantic Ocean (Roca translates to “sea cliff”). Many of us ended up carefully descending the less steep side of one such cliff, eventually coming across a group of boulders; I sat atop one of these in silence, and with the cool morning breeze rushing around us, watched the waves batter at the cliffs below. You make so many amazing memories on this trip that scenes like these are opportunities to just be – and to think, whether back on those same memories, or perhaps something else, something personal. It’s important, in between the rush of it all, to not forget to make space for you.

As much fun as the travel portion may be, many welcome the change of pace during the latter half at Oxford. Here, you’ll have a more “standard” class structure; classes take place Monday through Thursday of each week, meaning you have ample time to travel to new and exciting destinations on weekends. Apart from exploring Oxford and taking several day trips to London, I also traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland, and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Both cities were amazing in their own regard; Edinburgh with its rich centuries-long history and winding cobblestone streets, and Amsterdam with its scenic canals and prolific bike infrastructure.

~by JP Turney      

This summer I had the amazing opportunity to participate in the Oxford study abroad program. I had never been to Europe or really out of the United States at all, so this would be a completely new experience for me. As part of Group 3 (aka the Italy Group), I would get the chance to travel to many cities in the country including Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice, as well cities in other countries such as Vienna, Leipzig, and Antwerp. While we were traveling around Europe, we would be taking two classes, History of Art and Architecture as well as Music and its Composers. I came in knowing that this would be a life changing experience, but I was still not prepared for all the things that I would see and experience on this trip.

 Our first stop after landing was Rome, which had a ton of incredible places to visit. For example, we went to see the Vatican Museum and Saint Peter’s Basilica, both of which showed the beauty and wealth of the catholic church and their artwork, as well as how big of an influence they were on Italian society. I even had the opportunity to experience a Catholic mass in the Pantheon, which gave me a chance to observe the religious life of the Italian people, as well as see one of the oldest places of worship for the Italian people going back to the ancient Romans.

We continued our journey through Italy by going to Florence, one of the biggest art hubs in all of Italy. We visited the Uffizi Gallery, seeing amazing paintings such as the Birth of Venus and Judith Beheading Holofernes from the renaissance period of Italy, demonstrating how truly incredible the art produced here during this time was. We also got to see more incredible Italian architecture, this time at the Pitti Palace which had incredible renaissance architecture as well as being an art gallery inside with even more art work inside. Throughout my experience in Rome and Florence I was able to see how much respect and importance Italians put on there past and have pride in how it shaped their country and cities into what they are today, which is a lesson that I will continue to take with during me this trip.

Afterwards we continued to Milian, which felt like a more modern city that still retained its historic roots with beautiful buildings such as the Dumomo di Milano and the Castello Sforzesco, as well as showing that it is a developed and modern city, as shown through a lot of modern buildings and having more modern art work such as the art present in the Museo del Novecento. Afterwards for our final Italian city we went to Venice, which had even more beautiful renaissance architecture and artwork in Venice such as the art galleries inside of the Doge’s palace and the grand structure of Saint Marco’s Cathedral. I would say one of the most interesting things about Venice is the unique structure of the city that can’t be found anywhere else due to it being built on the ocean, making the city a whole just as interesting as the individual locations, something that can be lost through the process of going from museum to museum.

After Venice we left Italy and went to the city of music, Vienna. We had been studying music throughout our trip so far, but it really came into focus once we got here. I got to visit the Museum of Music as well as visiting a local piano shop and Mozart’s house. The biggest thing we did though was attending an opera, “Salome”, in the Vienna State Opera house, which had beautiful architecture and was the perfect setting for this experience. It was the culmination of everything we had learned and seen so far in music. It had a large professional orchestra, Opera singers with beautiful voices, and a grand story, a demonstration of the power music has to bring stories to life and to connect people together through the emotions it evokes.

After Vienna we had quick visits to two more cities, Leipzig and Antwerp. In Leipzig we visited a few locations significant to music history such as the Bach Museum, while in Antwerp we had time to explore the city on our own while preparing for finals, which I took advantage of to cycle around the city and try out their food such as Belgian waffles. After this the first part of the program ended, and the second part of program began as we boarded the bus to drive to Oxford.

Once we got to Oxford, we had a day to explore oxford and prepare before we began our classes. Each of the classes I took were very interesting, with The History of Medieval England being particularly interesting as we are learning about history of the country we are studying in, talking about how the Norman invasions changed the landscape of the country or how the various succession wars affected the country and their traditions. This allowed me to engage with Oxford in a unique way that was still able to challenge me academically.

Oxford was a wonderful town to study in as well, with lots of interesting places to visit as almost every building here was built in medieval times or has architecture based on that time period. I had the opportunity to go on a walking tour around Oxford with David Gunnell, which was a wonderful way to learn more about the history of the town and visit some of the wonderful locations in the town. There was also plenty of free time during the week to explore around the city on our own, with some examples of neat places I visited being Oxford Prison and Castle, as well as Christ Church college.

While we were at Oxford, we were also free to travel and explore different places during our weekends, which is one of the best parts of the Oxford portion. I went to a variety of places on the weekends, but my biggest excursions where to Edinburgh and London. At Edinburgh there was lots of Scottish History which I explored through visiting the Edinburgh castle and viewed the beautiful scenery on the top of Arthur’s head, while at London I got to visit the London Bridge, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey just to name a few.

~by Phi Cai

When I committed to Georgia Tech just a little over a year ago, I had already been planning to go to Oxford. I had been accepted into the Oxford FYSA program, but ultimately declined to take my HP offer instead, since I found out I could do Oxford this summer. Over a year of anticipation later, here I am!

Coming into this trip, I had two goals: to make friends and to “tourist” as much as I could. Safe to say, I’ve accomplished those goals, but also ones I never sought to do. I am a naturally anxious person, so when during pre-departure, we got warnings from out group leader/professors that this trip would be very mentally taxing and that we would be stressed and disappointed due to plans being frequently changed, I was nervous. When I’m set out to do something, I get pretty determined to do so and do not like it when things don’t go smoothly.

Regardless, the travel portion went pretty much exactly according to the schedule (minus a few paintings we didn’t get to see). What I did not expect was for a massive personal conflict to unfold throughout all of that. What was probably the most distressing moment happened when I got some text messages while up at the Fortress Hohensalzburg during a few hours we had stopped in Salzburg. I cannot say that I wasn’t saddened and upset. But I had no time to dwell, as I ran, camera and all, the 1.2 miles down in 12 minutes to make role call for our Sound of Music tour. This was the one thing I was looking forward to (most of the trip I felt more come-as-it-goes to) and I wanted to enjoy it. I was already upset by the events, but also upset that I had to be upset at this time.

Maybe it was the music of one of my favorite shows, maybe the beautiful landscape around me, or maybe my run right before, but this was the first time in my life that I decided to use my determination as one to enjoy what I wanted to. I decided I wasn’t going to let this hamper my enjoyment of the tour and so I put my phone on airplane mode and temporarily pushed my thoughts out of my mind to listen to the songs that had started playing on the bus. Singing along to “My Favorite Things” with my friend next to me helped rest my anxieties, as Maria made a good point: “When the dog bites / When the bee stings / When I’m feeling sad / I simply remember my favorite things / and then I don’t feel / so bad!”

The tour was a great time, I had so much fun singing and dancing while seeing the beautiful sights of Vienna. When I had to come back to the reality of things, I felt calm, a lot calmer than I normally would be and calmer than I probably should’ve been. What happens happens, and I can truly only have control over my own actions, but also, now over my thoughts and emotions as well. Things in my life had kept happening throughout the rest of travel portion, but I am most likely only going to be able to travel around Europe once, so why let something that has already been done, something that can’t be reversed, hamper that?

When the external circumstances warned about during pre-departure eventually did happen (during my solo travels in Oxford), I was more prepared with this mindset.

The second weekend at Oxford, I had planned a trip up to the Lake District. Amongst the four train transfers, I ended up missing the last one. When I couldn’t get out at my station and the train started moving, I felt my heart rate rising and breathing shorten when the conductor told me I just had to get out at the next station (in half an hour) and get back on the train the other direction to ride back. I was already short on time, spending only that evening at Windermere, so losing over an hour of precious time scared me. But there was nothing I could do but live with it. Knowing this helped my heart and breathing it was what it was.

The next day, I went up and down Scafell Pike, but was waiting for the last bus when I saw a little piece of paper stuck at the bottom of the pole with the timetable, apologizing for the road closure causing the bus to not come to this station that weekend. The bus had taken me there to that stop in the morning, and the official app said it was coming, so I waited more, but accepted that it wasn’t coming. The station it said was the closest stop was an hour walk away, and because this was the last bus, there was no way I would make it in time. The nearest town was over two hours a walk away and the train station I had to get to was over 4.5 hour walk away (I would not be able to make the last train with that time). But I had no choice but to start walking down the empty, single lane path. In desperation, I started sticking out my thumb to the few passing cars. After being ignored, when one of them slowed down and rolled down the window, my heart filled with relief that they were going to help me. The old couple there continued to roll along, just staring and giving disapproving looks to me before picking up speed and driving off. I started to cry as reality set in; I wasn’t going to be able to make it to Llandudno, where my AirBnb was and had nowhere to spend the night. I hadn’t had any food to eat since the night before and had already done a 13-mile hike and was cold and exhausted (more mentally than physically) and had at least 2 more hours to go.

Just then, I got a call from my friend to make sure I was still alive and though we didn’t talk, something about having someone care brought back my determination. I could get to Snowdon tomorrow. Worst case scenario, I sleep in the train station, catch the first train tomorrow, which should still leave time to make the climb if I take the shortest trail. So I kept going.

Miraculously, I did make the last train (a car of 4 college-age guys stopped and let me hitchhike to the nearest town, where I then took a bus to the train station) and still did nearly end up homeless anyways, just in a different town, as the AirBnb owner said he would not let me in after 2am, which was a time I was just barely going to miss and stopped responding. On the train, a dad travelling from China with this 8-year-old son struck up a conversation with me, and I told me he was also about to be homeless the night as well, as their train had gotten delayed, so they missed the last connecting one. When I expressed sympathy, he waved it off, saying that it happens, and he was right. If I am homeless for a night, then so be it. My friend had spent a night alone in a much more questionable train station in France last year, surely being Wales at least was a massive upgrade.