Why I Chose Oxford & Study Abroad

What drew me to Oxford wasn’t just its global reputation or its 1000-year legacy. It was a desire for one final adventure with my sister before graduation. There’s an undeniable allure to Oxford. Its dark wood libraries, the foggy mornings, the buildings that whisper stories from centuries past. The City of Dreaming Spires is every bit as romantic as it sounds. My Sister, Rawan, and I are proud to be the first two students from Dalhousie’s Faculty of Computer Science to study abroad there, paving the way for others with an adventurous spirit. Our story was featured on DalNews!

Oxford stood apart from every other option. Its global reputation, its centuries-long history, and its distinctive tutorial system made it unlike any university I had encountered. The idea of learning in such a personal setting — learning one-on-one with professors, discussing ideas at depth, and being pushed to think more critically — was especially compelling.

There was also something undeniably enchanting about Oxford itself. The city carries a kind of atmosphere that feels almost literary: old buildings, historic libraries, quiet courtyards, and the feeling that scholarship is woven into everyday life. It was the kind of place I had always imagined and hoped to experience for myself.

Being the first to study at Oxford made the experience more meaningful. This fact made the journey feel larger than us. It meant representing our faculty, opening a path for future students, and proving that adventurous academic goals are worth pursuing.

Looking back, choosing Oxford was about growth as much as prestige. It was about saying yes to challenge, yes to curiosity, and yes to an experience that would stay with me long after the term ended.