Pose for Formal Dinner at Oriel College
Author: Abhinav Komanduri | Major: Electrical Engineering | Semester: Summer 2023
The United Kingdom has an incredible as well as infamous history. However, there is no denying how old some of these institutions are, such as Oxford and Cambridge. Early in the Spring of 2023, the honors college reached out to advertise the Summer at Oriel College, University of Oxford program. I knew about the University of Oxford just as much as any other who went through American schools. It is world-renowned, but only some understand why.
In this two-week intensive program, I was able to take the Quantum Computing, Collapse, and Consciousness course taught by Kobi Kreimnitzer, a tutor and fellow of the University of Oxford. Quantum Computing is the next technological revolution that is up in the near future. Everything from cryptography to drug creation will be enhanced by quantum computing. This course was very fast-paced yet very rewarding. He introduced a new concept in these interactive and engaging lectures almost every hour. Each day we were expected to learn for three hours in the morning. To conclude the course, there was a final presentation where I and a group of students researched the postulates of quantum mechanics and future engineering challenges of integrating that into computing technology.
To say that the culture of Oxford is traditional and sophisticated is, of course, an understatement. In my first few days, I experienced a culture shock. Despite being an English-speaking nation, the UK has a unique culture. Furthermore, Oxford has a very academic culture. Firstly, starting with the cuisine. For breakfast, their staple is usually baked beans on toast. Since Oxford is a hub for tourists and people, the restaurants are big chains and local cuisines. Most of the food was never a British exclusive food, except for their tea tradition. The English have had the long tradition of afternoon tea or a “high tea.” Everyone from the late Queen Elizabeth II to common citizens enjoys a pot of black tea with a scone (pronounced ‘skin’) or other mini sandwiches. I was able to enjoy this tradition numerous times. It helped me get acquainted with the locals, understand the environment, and fulfill my love of tea!
When you walk on the grounds of Oxford and breath in the rarified air, you get a sense of awe. These buildings are more than double or triple the age the United States was a sovereign country. You get that sense when walking around. The Gothic architecture made from elements such as sandstone, limestone, and other aged materials is still in perfect condition. The University of Oxford is given grants and large funding from the British government to preserve these sites and buildings. After all, they are national and international treasures. When on a tour of Oxford, the tour guide began explaining how Oxford is trying to move into the modern century whilst still adhering to the traditions that make it so iconic. An example of this was the Bullingdon Club. This group was known to be comprised of wealthy members infamous for their vandalism and misbehavior. Even the former British prime minister Boris Johnson was a member of their elite. However, the club has fallen into disrepute these days, and the university is trying to distance itself from that legacy. However, some traditions are iconic, such as their love of punting, which doesn’t refer to American football terminology. Punting is when you get on a wooden raft and use a metal pole to steer in a beautiful lake. It is prominent during the summer and after exam seasons to unwind and relax. They have a rivalry in this (as well as many other things) with “the other school,” also known as the University of Cambridge.
I got to meet a lot of people. Some are from Europe, some from the UK, and many from China. The simple act of having a conversation and “comparing notes” about our respective home countries was incredible. Any assumptions on either side had been brought up and cleared up. Many people would tell me that they never spoke to an American before. I felt the same way. I had never interacted with anyone from another country before. Just that simple fact was able to bridge the cultural gap between our homes. It made it seem a little less foreign of an idea than before.
It wouldn’t be the UK unless you visit the world’s capital, London. On the first Saturday, there was a group excursion where we got a tour of the City of Westminster. Westminster is where the world-known attractions are, such as Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, The House of Parliament, and Big Ben. London does not feel like a part of the stereotypical English society. London is a modern city, just like New York City. A melting pot of cultural diversity makes it a hotspot for all types of people from all walks of life. In addition to London, I ventured off to Bletchley Park, a World War II Museum featuring my idol, Alan Turing. This was a beautiful park and museum with a rich history. To get there, I utilized the prize gem of the UK, public transportation. To some, that might seem silly; however, their public transportation is one of the cleanest, most organized, and most efficient systems I’ve ever seen. The whole country can be traveled through just with a combination of buses and trains. These are also very cheap at just under a few pounds per person.
Finally, I want to reflect on getting there and advising anyone interested. Firstly, I highly recommend the Summer at Oriel College program to anyone interested. There is a good balance of safety net with the on-site staff and directors and the freedom to explore. If you are more adventurous and solo, then venture on! If you need more guidance, stick with the staff, they will ensure you have a great time and see a lot. Or, in my case, do both! Find a mix! I wish I had done more research on sites I wanted to visit and transportation methods beforehand so I could have saved some time. Despite this, I will never forget this experience, as it was far outside my norm and helped me broaden my perspectives. A bonus was that the content learned from my course inspired the topic for my honors thesis.