Major: History and Finance
Minor: N/A
Hometown: Carlisle, PA

How did you learn about this opportunity?

After narrowing down my study abroad search to England, I focused on the oldest and most well-known universities. I found that around half a dozen of the 38 constituent colleges of the University of Oxford accept visiting students for up to to a full academic year. I applied to a few directly and the others through the "Oxford Study Abroad Programme (OSAP)."

Tell us a little bit about your experience.

OSAP students arrive a week earlier than the start of term for an orientation that introduces students to life in Oxford, England. As a visiting student at Magdalen College, I gained the full rights and priviledges of regular degree-seeking students. From Merton College's Winter Ball to rowing for Magdalen College in the Christ Church Regatta, I was able to experience all the University of Oxford has to offer. There are many activities and experiences so unique to the University of Oxford, such as Matriculation and Formal Hall, that made my time wonderful.

How did this experience impact you academically?

My primary reason for double majoring in history is to better both my reading and writing skills, two areas that are not as heavily focused upon in finance. At the University of Oxford, I completed two primary tutorials in "1919: Remaking the World" and " A Comparative History of WWI." Every week on Wednesday, I had one essay due for each of my tutorials. Both of my tutors would then challenge the arguments in my writing when we met on either Thursday or Friday. At the end of these meetings, I was assigned another topic and sources to use, and the process repeated. The amount of reading and writing was staggering, and it took me a few weeks to get adjusted. The entire experience, no doubt, improved upon my abilities to read, write, and think critically, and that was the primary reason I chose to study abroad at a school with the tutorial system.

"I am forever grateful to everyone who made my time abroad such a memorable experience."

What are your career goals and plans?  How did this experience impact them?

I am fortunate enough to have received a return offer from my summer internship with UBS in the investment banking division. Upon graduation, I will return to New York City to work for UBS. The sheer amount of material I had to cover in my tutorials in such little time will definitely help me to synthesize large sums of information and make crucial decisions in a short time frame.

Would you recommend this experience to other Liberal Arts students?

I would definitely recommend this experience to other Liberal Arts students seeking a challenging and fulfilling study abroad experience. When choosing a study abroad experience, I wanted a location that I would not merely pass through, but become an engaging member of the community. In my time abroad, I was able to meet the other 40 students studying abroad through OSAP, undergraduate and graduate students of Magdalen College, French students studying at EM Normandie's Oxford campus, other students studying abroad through their universities such as Stanford, two very intelligent tutors, and a number of wonderful academic staff at Magdalen College and OSAP. I am forever grateful to everyone who made my time abroad such a memorable experience.