Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world, laying claim to nine centuries of rich history, may seem like a school only for the world’s privileged elite.

However, with the assistance of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) exceptional students at small colleges like ENC, have the opportunity to study at some of the most prestigious colleges and universities throughout the world.  Anne Reilly, a resident of Plymouth Massachusetts, junior history major at Eastern Nazarene College, president of the history club, and active in ENC’s Theatre Department, is one such student who took advantage of this opportunity.

Landing in England in early January 2007, Reilly, over 3000 miles from home, encountered ancient buildings and snowy, grey streets. This would become her home for the next three and a half months as she studied at a college in England’s most revered university.
Having grown up the daughter of an Anglophile, Reilly always knew that if she studied abroad it would be at Oxford. For her, there was no other choice: “Oxford is among the greatest universities in the world. I have always wanted to go to England and I love studying British history. I just always assumed that if I studied abroad then I would do it in England, and here I am.”

Like anyone moving to a new school, studying abroad was not without its difficult transitions. Reilly had to start fresh in a foreign country where the only familiar face was the one she saw in the mirror each morning. She was certainly in for a challenge.  “It was like being a freshman,” Reilly explained. “I had to start over again.”
One major transition was going from ENC’s daily classes to Oxford’s tutorial system. Unlike American universities and colleges, Oxford functions under a tutorial system. Accordingly, students meet one-on-one with an Oxford professor for one hour each week or once every other week, depending on the nature of the tutorial. Prior to each session students complete assigned reading and write essays. During these sessions students may read from their papers or be asked questions concerning the reading.

This can be challenging for students, like Reilly, who aren’t used to the tutorial system, and who like to know how they are doing along the way. “I wasn’t given any grades until the very end,” Reilly explained. “So much of the time I felt lost in the dark, not knowing if I needed to put a lot more work into my tutorials or if I was in a good place.”

As much as the tutorial system may be frustrating at times, having a tutor who is an expert in the field is one of the things Reilly appreciates most about her studies in England. “I am taught one-on-one by a professional in History and I get to concentrate on a narrower topic. What could be better than that?”

Despite learning much and experiencing more than she could dream, Reilly still misses the place she calls home. “I miss so much that I can't tell you what I miss the most!  My family, my friends, familiar faces and routines, and not being afraid of looking like a tourist,” Reilly exclaimed.

“Sometimes I would be surprised at the things I found myself missing.  Once, I was in the train on my way to Ireland when I saw the coast and I suddenly realized that I really missed seeing the ocean every day,” Reilly admitted sadly.  “But at the end of the same trip I was so glad to get back to Oxford.  I think it was at that point that I understood how much of a second home this city was becoming to me.”

In reflecting on her experiences, Reilly has no regrets. “Sometimes I tend to get stuck in my comfort zone, and I stop challenging myself,” Reilly admitted. “By getting to a different part of the world I’ve been forced to grow and learn in new, and healthy, ways.”
As far as recommending her experience to others, Reilly responds with a resounding, “Definitely! It is a way to challenge yourself and broaden your horizons. I know that sounds like a cliché, but it is true!” She advises other students to follow her example. “Take every opportunity to try something new and to get out of your comfort zone. Don’t sit back and expect something wonderful to happen to you; go out and find it!”

Read entires from Anne Reilly's student blog