Katie Curran
Katie Curran, 21, studied History at Pembroke College as a Visiting Student 2018-19.
She then returned to Columbia University in NYC to continue her American Studies course.
Studying at Pembroke College has provided me with new perspectives, unforgettable experiences and lifelong friendships. I am the first person in my family to travel abroad – neither my parents nor my siblings have left North America. Despite this I was not nervous about coming to Oxford because I knew that Pembroke had such a great sense of community - and this is what I found to be true. Spending a year of my undergraduate degree abroad in England has allowed me to now call two universities home: Columbia and Oxford.
When you are thinking about applying for the Visiting Students programme, it’s important to realise that the tutorial programme is essential to the whole experience. If you are considering studying here, my advice would be to investigate the tutorial system and see if it is a good fit. In a tutorial you have one-on-one time to discuss topics of interest with professors which is not something you would find anywhere else. As such, the teaching style is especially good if you are someone who likes speaking in class, which is one of my favourite ways of learning. Rather than just lectures, it is a fluid discussion.
In addition, with the Visiting Students programme it is also exciting to discover something you are interested in and to be given the time and space to pursue it further. For me it solidified my interests in civil rights, law and African American studies. In my opinion, this programme is an excellent opportunity to consider in-depth whether you would like to pursue a graduate degree. It gives you a more tangible vision of what your future in academia might look like, as well as the confidence and the tools from working one-on-one with experts in the field.
I found living in the United Kingdom for a whole year to be an adventure at every turn. I really enjoyed spending time at the Oxford Union. One of my highlights this year was meeting James Quincey, the CEO of Coca-Cola, there. Each year, the Coca-Cola Company in the United States selects the top 150 graduating high school seniors in the nation to receive leadership training, mentoring and university funding. I was selected as a Coca-Cola Scholar in the US and while I was at Oxford the CEO came to speak at the Oxford Union. It was a unique opportunity to thank him for supporting me and to tell him about how I am making the most of my education.
Another highlight from my year was the day we were in sub fusc [traditional academic dress] and took photos. The traditions here at Oxford are so different from those in the US. They help create bonds that last longer than just your time here because you make connections with those who experienced the traditions a few years ago, or decades ago, or centuries ago.
Studying at Oxford has provided me with a unique opportunity to be a cultural ambassador for the United States and forge valuable friendships with British students across the pond. Lots of the students that I have grown close with enjoy talking about politics so this is something we discussed a lot. My viewpoint on politics and policies has changed by speaking to students in the United Kingdom. Now when I hear policy proposals in the future, I will think of my classmates and how these issues affect them.
I definitely think that studying abroad for a year transforms people in so many positive ways. I have changed academically. In particular, I have developed my writing and communication skills in new ways. This year has also given me the concrete tools and skills to spend time away from home for a significant period of time. For me, it has served as a launching pad to live and work abroad. I am confident that I will spend a significant amount of my life outside the United States. I hope to return to the United Kingdom for further study or employment.
Ultimately, before I came to Oxford I only heard positive reviews about the Visiting Students programme here. My peers at Columbia University had participated in the programme in prior years and said wonderful things about it. I was surprised that I had only heard good reviews. But now after my year at Pembroke I literally only have good things to say about it too! I would definitely recommend it even if, like me, you come from a family that hasn’t travelled abroad. Pembroke has become a home away from home for me. I am thankful for the experience of a lifetime that the Visiting Students Programme has provided me and I look forward to staying connected with the College for years to come.