A few months ago, my colleague invited me to come to her university to give a talk. I accepted not only with excitement but also trepidation because 1) she teaches in a Linguistics department and it has been a while since I spoke to linguists and 2) her university is Oxford. Ever since I can remember, Oxford was only spoken of with hushed reverence. If you made it to Oxford, you had made it to the top. It was in a class all by itself. It would be an opportunity of a lifetime.
I arrived on a Monday afternoon and checked into New College where my host is a fellow. She reserved the guest room for me which is in the corner of the quad. Interestingly, the college is built around a section of the old city walls, especially useful back in the day for keeping the Plague out!
View of the quad from my window
A section of the old city walls
The Chapel with the city walls of New College
My host invited me to dinner in the college which was something straight out of Harry Potter or The Golden Compass. The fellows were required to wear robes, the hall was candlelit, and the delicious food mostly appeared out of nowhere.
Where the fellows have their lunches; I couldn't get one for dinner!
Fellows have to wear robes for meals; if they forget theirs, they can borrow one of these!
I was able to explore New College before my talk and stumbled into the Cloisters behind the chapel. The courtyard, tree, and archways were used in this scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Malfoy taunted Harry Potter from this tree
Many famous people, besides Harry Potter, have walked these hallways!
While I was there, I learned some of the history and quirks about Oxford and New College. For example, because the college has its roots in religious scholarship, the choirs of the chapels are sacred and their budget and presence is therefore untouchable. Everything else can go, but the choir has to stay!
I gave my talk which went very well, and afterwards, I even introduced my hosts to a wonderful Sichuan meal at Sojo where Dan and I had eaten previously.
Me outside the building where I gave my talk
It was an honor and privilege to be an Oxford guest for a couple of days. I loved being in a place with history oozing out of every brick and stone. Walking in the same hallways as Oscar Wilde, John Locke, and Christopher Wren once did was truly amazing. I don’t think I will ever get the chance to work there, but I certainly wouldn’t mind spending more time inside those ancient walls!
