The Oxford Gap Year Program

The Campus Oxford gap semester program at St. Clare's was amazing! It was the perfect blend of high academic expectations while also being a place where I felt that I could socialize with my peers and explore Oxford, as well as other parts of the UK as well on school-sponsored trips. I also want to highlight the amazingly supportive Careers office, which helped me so much on my college applications! They are super well-informed and offer great advice. Part of the reason I had to decided to take a gap year was because I wasn't sure where I wanted to go to university, or what I wanted to study, and my careers counselor, Helen Forey, was a huge help in helping me answer both of those questions! When it came time to apply to schools, she had an extensive knowledge of the American university system and guided me through completing the common app and writing my supplements in a way that would paint the best picture of me for the schools I was applying to. The community was also really wonderful! I had a great roommate, and the housing complex that I lived in (Logan House) was full of really kind and interesting people. On any given evening there would be people hanging out in the common spaces who were always willing to open up their circle and welcome in a new friend. This was hugely important for me, especially in the early days when I was still finding my footing and feeling uncertain and homesick.

While I haven't had the opportunity to venture abroad yet, I am eagerly anticipating the chance to explore new horizons and immerse myself in diverse cultures. Traveling has always been a dream of mine, and I look forward to the day when I can embark on my own journey, learn from different perspectives, and broaden my understanding of the world. Additionally, I look forward to the opportunity to study abroad, where I can enhance my skills and knowledge by interacting with a new academic environment and learning from the experiences of students and teachers from around the world. I will be grateful for the chance to explore my major in depth, expand my academic horizons, and build new international friendships during my study abroad journey.

There are so many wonderful aspects of this program. I loved being able to take small-group classes with some of the best teachers I've ever had. Oxford is an inspiring and stunning city that I never got tired of exploring--with its incredible history and resources the whole city became a classroom for me. Living and becoming friends with students from all over the world was another wonderful opportunity. I found there was a great balance between learning, socializing, and traveling (especially around Britain). I couldn't be happier with my choice to spend part of my gap year here!