By May Jones
As the end of Trinity term approaches, it can feel a little bit disconcerting staying in Oxford. Last summer, I completed an internship in a psychology lab in Oxford. While my friends packed up their belongings, returned home, and enjoyed holidaying or completing internships in other cities, I moved to Headington (near the lab). I then had to plan what I was going to do in my free time for the next twelve weeks, not really knowing what life in Oxford was like when the students went home. My main worries concerned how quiet Oxford was going to become, having nothing to do or no one to see.
The biggest myth to be debunked is that ‘Oxford becomes quieter’ – definitely not true! When the sun comes out during July and August, not only do tourists and locals visit the hotspots, Oxford Colleges also host hundreds of students for summer courses. This can vary from UNIQ summer school, which you might be familiar with, to a whole range of other summer schools with students from all ages travelling to use the array of facilities Oxford has to offer. These courses (as well as college open days) also provide another way to stay in Oxford over the summer aside from completing an internship. Many of the companies running the summer schools look for ‘Activity Leaders’ to help students navigate the city and run social events. This can be a great way to enjoy Oxford in a more relaxed way, while also having access to university resources should you need them!
Actually, a great perk of being in Oxford during the summer is all the places you can visit in the sunshine that you might not have had the time (or the weather) to explore during term – so there is plenty to do! Both the Botanical Gardens and Harcourt Arboretum are beautiful places to explore, both free to Oxford students! I also made great use of another free Oxford perk – visiting Ashmolean exhibitions and spending far too long in the museum shop. Finally, I really loved having the opportunity to explore different parts of the wider Oxford area – a highlight being South Parks. Usually known for its epic firework display, South Parks was somewhere I was aware of but never thought to visit in the day! While I’m sure many of you were not as naïve as me, for those of you who have never ventured near Cowley, South Park not only offers a nice walk on a summer's day but also boasts an impressive view of the city that we call home. I’d argue it’s a view worth the trek from town!
Overall, I would thoroughly recommend a summer in Oxford. Not only was my internship interesting but I also got to enjoy some parts of Oxford I hadn’t had the opportunity to explore during those crammed eight-week terms!
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