This week has been a whirlwind. When attempting to reflect on all that has happened, not much comes to mind, but I know as soon as I get going, I will be unable to stop. Regardless, here are some highlights.
To start off the week, we went to visit Oxford Castle. This castle is so old that by the 14th century, it had no military use because of its poor condition. After the Civil Wars around the 18th century, the remnants of this old, rustic tower were converted into a prison. In the earliest stages of the prison, hundreds of prisoners were enclosed in a tiny room amidst rampant disease, bodily waste, rats and insects, having to huddle together to keep warm during the cold seasons. The tour guide then took us through the periods of reform- where prisoners were allowed to carry buckets of water up a steep incline of unforgiving stairs (believe me, I felt like I was going to trip and fall down while walking up) in order that they might have a place to use the bathroom to individual cells consisting of only a metal bed, a small bucket of water, and a window unprotected of the cold. This might sound cheesy, but I couldn't help thinking of Jean Valjean in Les Mis. My heart ached for those throughout history who have lived only to suffer, who have been victims of poverty, who have been reduced to "stealing" a crumb of bread only to be treated as less than human, dying the most humiliating deaths either by disease or public hanging. Oh, the world we live in.
On Tuesday, I met with my tutor, followed shortly after by being given access to the Bodlian Library. Let me explain the tutorial system used here at Oxford University. There are no classes, and tutors are the equivalent of professors. On Monday, we met with our academic advisor, who looks over what we wish to study and arranges a tutor (a highly qualified doctorate scholar) to meet with you one on one either weekly (if it is your primary tutorial) or biweekly (if it is your secondary tutorial). The tutors typically structure their tutorial by giving you a prompt along with an intensive reading list each meeting. You then have to read aloud your 7-10 page essay upon the next meeting, where they thoroughly critique your analysis. For my comparative politics tutorial (my secondary tutorial), I have to analyze the validity of Michael Foley's "Rise of the British Presidency", which focuses on Margret Thatcher's seizing of the British premiership. My primary tutorial is on developing political systems. However, my tutor is currently in Canada, so we will not begin meeting until 3rd week (the last week of January). I have been e-mailing her though and have already received my reading assignment which I am really excited to start getting into- Society, State, and Market: A Guide to Competing Theories on Development.
Also on Tuesday, we had our welcome dinner at Jesus College (yes, this is a real college), a very formal and traditional event. The beginning consisted of brief mingling followed by a full course, extravagant dinner. One would think that the dessert was last... but not here. After the sherry trifle (I learned how to spell it), biscuits and cheese were served. When the food finally stopped coming, it was time for the toasts. Apparently, all of us had to make a little speech to something, in which we all echoed "to Oxford" (or whatever the person speaking toasted to). This went on until everyone had finished.
The rest has been less eventful but altogether thrilling. It takes about 20+ minutes to walk into the city center from my flat. My feet and legs ache by the end of the day only to be ready to be used more the next morning. I spent a couple of days walking around, finding myself thoroughly lost, and randomly discovering the coolest, little places. The Bodlian Libraries are a series of exquisite buildings housing at least one copy of every book published in England. It is not a lending library, so one must do all the reading in the facilities. When signing up for membership, one must repeat an oath promising to do no harm to the libraries and to not take any books out. They don't mess around. As my flatmate said, "It smells like knowledge when you walk in." I've spent several days there already and found that staying all day getting lost in a book (one that you were assigned to read) isn't the worst thing in the world.
Unfortunately, I have come down with an ugly cold, which has put a damper on the weekend. I briefly grew homesick, wanting to be cared for, but quickly realized where I was again. In spite of adjusting to the insanely cold weather and the intense academics, I am in England. And the adventure is just beginning.
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