No, it’s not Hogwarts!

There has been so much happening that it’s difficult to know where to start.  To begin with, I have been matriculated in a Harry Potter-like ceremony (as you can see on the picture, when hundreds of students wear their gown and walk through a city like Oxford, it feels A LOT like Hogwarts); visited every library in Oxford I have access to; and met some amazing people. This first semester so far has really been a bit overwhelming and trying to fit everything into one post would not do it justice, instead I will write a bit more about the most interesting things here at Oxford.

The gowns
I have already mentioned our gowns in the beginning. They are a formal ceremonial dress which students have to wear during important academic events. This means matriculation, exams and graduation. They are so exciting to wear, especially during matriculation, because you feel like you just arrived to Hogwarts and are waiting for the Sorting Hat to tell you which house you belong to. Obviously, that’s not what really happens (or is it?) but hundreds of students walking in robes among centuries old buildings waiting to become a part of the ancient university does feel magical. No wonder parts of the Harry Potter movies were actually filmed here in some parts of the university.

The Bod card
The Bodleian card is named after the main library and is the official university ID card. It might sound dull to tell you about my ID card, but the Bod card is probably the single most important item of any student at the university. I guess that in the beginning it was really just a library card (hence the name) but today everything revolves around it. You need your card to access your classes, the libraries, the gym, and even your own room. So in case you forget your card and just go make yourself a cup of tea without it, you will have to walk to the porters’ lodge (aka the college reception) in your PJs and towel on your head to be let back. Good times! It’s not just the access though; you need your card to buy your meals in the dining hall, to print in the IT room, to do your laundry. Trust me, it’s not exaggeration when I say you cannot eat, sleep or work when you lose your Bod card. Just yesterday I had a minor panic attack when I thought I had lost the card. Fortunately, after five minutes of manic search of my entire bag I found it, somewhat mockingly, sitting in my pocket. I suppose that only shows, how much I fear to lose it and also how tired I am to think properly these days.

Reading
If you look carefully on any Bod card, you will find that the card says “reading for”. That is, my card for example says “Jolana Venenyova, reading for MPhil in Russian Studies”. You’d think that it’s one of those Oxbridge traditions whose only point is to distinct the universities from the rest. However, that’s not true. You literally read your way through to your degree. The amount of reading necessary to just participate in everyday classes is enormous and has to be managed if you want to keep up. I am not complaining (I love reading!) nonetheless I suspect I have read more books in the last four weeks than I have during my last year of my undergraduate degree.

I think this might be all for a while. Yes, you guessed it right, I need to return to my reading, and maybe, if I’m really efficient, I might find some time to go to the city and admire the magnificent libraries. From the inside. While I read.