Hey peeps..I had the opportunity to visit Oxford today. It was a 17pounds worth of tix, a trip organized by the international office fr my university, Uni of Sussex. What i can say is, it's a great place..for once, i envy those studying at this prestigious university..It's a university town, bz with people and daily activities. There're lots and lots of buildings similar to palaces and ancient buildings, churches, colleges..it's just a lovely place to visit. The architecture is marvellous..We had the opportunity to be on a guided tour and yeah, i learnt quite a bit from it..here's what i wanna share :
1) There are 2 main libraries in the Oxford University. In one of the libraries, students are only allowed to browse and refer to books but unallowed to borrow them (strange isnt it?), on the other hand the 2nd library allows books to be borrowed. Their libraries are huge. Some colleges own a library too. What's interesting is they have a massive amount of book collections, practically all books are kept in the libaries (and yes..according to the tor guide..this includes the Playboy mags) - for what reason? perhaps, for human studies..Apart from inside the library, books are also kept underneath the library..how's that and could that be possible? yes it is, books are stored under the library through a hidraulic system..basically, it's like there's a tunnel, and books will be laid on a compartment before a button is pressed b4 it dissapears fr sight to find it's way to be stored under the library..like the one scene in Harry Potter..smart isn't it..indeed..very smart..
But unfortunately, not everyone could enter the library, only Oxford students and their very own educators are allowed to have such access, even a Research Assistant could not be granted access. There's a kind of sticker obtainable from the counter just outside library to get into it, and this is permissible only with ..the oxford uni student card..Prestiguous..enuff said.
2) Becoz Oxford is a university town. It's has its own yeah..town in the area..buses are shops are around. They've colleges in between shopping lots. A great way to release the education stress..heheee!
3) Each college or student hostel has an adult who's not an academician who'd help around with tidying the rooms, preparing tea for the students and act as a friend to the students whenever they feel pressured with studies or simply feel like talking to others for advices. The reason the university is providing this facility is that, they want the students to give full 100% concentration on studies and not be disturbed by all these petty but necessary things..oh..how i wish i have a friendly and reliable housekeeper! looks like i have to be one for myself for now..
4) Speaking of a scene in the first Harry Potter movie, there was a particular scene where it was taken fr the uni of oxford..camera and video tricks amazed me when showed that the actual scene is way smaller than the one presented on screen! in the movie...so, which scene am i talking abt..ya know, there was one time where Harry and his friends took a boat after their trip to come to the magic school..yea..dya remember that the boat reached at night, they were all in the boat with lights lit heading to the school..and when they arrived, they met their teachers, Dumbledore and others on the stairs..yeah..those are the scenes taken at Oxford. The door opened to them on arrival is actually a very small one in comparison to the one seen in the play..
5) I managed to take a view of Oxford from the tallest buiding which is actually from a tower of the St Marie the Virgin Church. I would have definitely think twice to take up the opportunity if knew in advance that it would take me to climb 127steps up and another 127steps down...geez..it was an exercise for me! I was convinced enuff that there'd be an elevator, but i was wrong..well..fair enuff..the building was built ages ago..but it's worth the effort and entrance fee of 2pounds.. :)
All in all , I had a great time during this visit. It'll also be a great opportunity if you could have a visit or probably already had one..
1) There are 2 main libraries in the Oxford University. In one of the libraries, students are only allowed to browse and refer to books but unallowed to borrow them (strange isnt it?), on the other hand the 2nd library allows books to be borrowed. Their libraries are huge. Some colleges own a library too. What's interesting is they have a massive amount of book collections, practically all books are kept in the libaries (and yes..according to the tor guide..this includes the Playboy mags) - for what reason? perhaps, for human studies..Apart from inside the library, books are also kept underneath the library..how's that and could that be possible? yes it is, books are stored under the library through a hidraulic system..basically, it's like there's a tunnel, and books will be laid on a compartment before a button is pressed b4 it dissapears fr sight to find it's way to be stored under the library..like the one scene in Harry Potter..smart isn't it..indeed..very smart..
But unfortunately, not everyone could enter the library, only Oxford students and their very own educators are allowed to have such access, even a Research Assistant could not be granted access. There's a kind of sticker obtainable from the counter just outside library to get into it, and this is permissible only with ..the oxford uni student card..Prestiguous..enuff said.
2) Becoz Oxford is a university town. It's has its own yeah..town in the area..buses are shops are around. They've colleges in between shopping lots. A great way to release the education stress..heheee!
3) Each college or student hostel has an adult who's not an academician who'd help around with tidying the rooms, preparing tea for the students and act as a friend to the students whenever they feel pressured with studies or simply feel like talking to others for advices. The reason the university is providing this facility is that, they want the students to give full 100% concentration on studies and not be disturbed by all these petty but necessary things..oh..how i wish i have a friendly and reliable housekeeper! looks like i have to be one for myself for now..
4) Speaking of a scene in the first Harry Potter movie, there was a particular scene where it was taken fr the uni of oxford..camera and video tricks amazed me when showed that the actual scene is way smaller than the one presented on screen! in the movie...so, which scene am i talking abt..ya know, there was one time where Harry and his friends took a boat after their trip to come to the magic school..yea..dya remember that the boat reached at night, they were all in the boat with lights lit heading to the school..and when they arrived, they met their teachers, Dumbledore and others on the stairs..yeah..those are the scenes taken at Oxford. The door opened to them on arrival is actually a very small one in comparison to the one seen in the play..
5) I managed to take a view of Oxford from the tallest buiding which is actually from a tower of the St Marie the Virgin Church. I would have definitely think twice to take up the opportunity if knew in advance that it would take me to climb 127steps up and another 127steps down...geez..it was an exercise for me! I was convinced enuff that there'd be an elevator, but i was wrong..well..fair enuff..the building was built ages ago..but it's worth the effort and entrance fee of 2pounds.. :)
All in all , I had a great time during this visit. It'll also be a great opportunity if you could have a visit or probably already had one..
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