At half ten this morning, I locked the door to Besse 1-16 for the last time, turned in my key, said my last goodbyes, and hopped into a taxi towards Heathrow Airport, as I closed the door on my Oxford adventure.
My study abroad experience has come to an end – and what a whirlwind it has been.
It didn’t hit me until late last night that it was really ending. I spent the whole week fully acknowledging the fact that I was leaving, openly talking about it to friends and tutors but I didn’t get emotional. I was waiting for it to hit me –
And then, it did.
I suddenly realized that with my leaving now, I wouldn’t be returning in six weeks for another term. Furthermore, I wouldn’t be returning in October to go through another year at Oxford.
It was over.
And it hurt.
I spent most of last night in tears as I said goodbye to some of my closest friends. (Shoutout to everyone who put up with me last night as I cried). I’m usually not one to cry and get very emotional – I tend to hide my emotions – but I couldn’t hide them this time. I hugged my friends countless times, not wanting to let go.
I thought I would cry again this morning when I was leaving…but I didn’t. Instead, I left with a smile on my face as I realized that yes, this amazing, life-changing year is over, but I am leaving a better person, with incredible close friends, a wealth of newfound knowledge, and a lifetime of memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
I’m not sure what else I can say that hasn’t already been said – so the rest of this post will be a series of photographs of some of my favorite experiences from this past year.
The first day…Matriculation with two of my favorite people – Stephen and Will.Another matriculation picture, with Maya, Vani, and Alethea.When Leah came to visit Natalie and I and we toured Christ Church! Little did I know that I would have tutorials in the building behind us just a few months later…Christmas Dinner – the song about teddy bears and picnics still creeps me out.Brady – thank you for going on brunch dates with me, for being my dance partner, and for just being the wonderful self that you are.The original IFSA crew – Shannon, Eric, and myself.There is no way I could have gotten through this year without you. Thank you for everything, Ainsley.My 21st birthday party…I blame Ben for this.Story time – the first time Stephen and I hung out, we went to Blackwells, a famous bookstore. We somehow ended up talking about Shakespeare, with both of us realizing that we hadn’t read each other’s favorite Shakespeare plays (mine is a tie between Julius Caesar and Macbeth, his is Hamlet). For his birthday, I got him a copy of Macbeth. Before I left, Stephen gave me a copy of Hamlet. (Also, as an aside – Ben’s face is great).One of the many formals we attended.I’m going to miss our photo shoots, Shannon. And obviously you, of course <3.Our first ball (and Becca’s birthday!) Dante’s Inferno, the Hilary Term Ball at the Oxford Union.My second ball (just a week after my first) – Lumina, St. Catherine’s College Ball.A night out at Purple TurtleTrashing is one of the many slightly odd but very enjoyable traditions at Oxford. To put it simply, when someone finishes exams, their friends show up behind the examination schools with silly string, confetti, shaving cream, champagne, etc. and essentially throw/fire these things at them. Most people have exams during Trinity Term, but Stephen and Clemens had theirs at the end of Hilary. It was freezing, so we didn’t really trash them too much – mostly silly string and confetti as you can see, and also champagne which you definitely can’t see, but it was a lot of fun! (Also – yes, the students do go to exams in full subfusc).Last night of Hilary Term – yet another night out at Purple Turtle.Matching 100% unplanned.Teddy Hall Formal turned IFSA-Butler reunion!I organized a Girls Night Out at the Varsity Club (a rooftop bar) just a few weeks before we left. We got to watch the sunset – the view was unbelievable.Got to see W1 get blades and supported our friend Joe rowing for M1 at Summer VIIIs!Rowing, Pimms, and gorgeous weather – there’s nothing better.Kelly 2 – There really aren’t enough words I could say to express how much you all mean to me. Thank you for exposing me to British television, for the many pasta lunches, for the hilarity that was the quote board (ahem), and for being such an incredibly supportive group of friends. I am so grateful to that strange guy from the first Bop for creeping on us the entire night, because if that hadn’t happened, I never would have met you all. Much love to all of you.Shalaka, I still laugh on how we bonded to this day. As hilariously awkward as it was, I’m glad it brought us together. I’m going to miss our Indian food dates and ranting about the absurdity that is MUN.The scaffolding on New College Lane was finally removed yesterday and we found this on the wall! Of course we had to get a photograph.…To the very last day.
And with that…thank you, and goodbye.
(PS: Look out for a blog post on my summer plans coming shortly).
Perspectives 