It’s infinitely better to be on the Oxford campus

Starting college can be daunting to many high school seniors, unsure what the next four years of their lives may hold. Students come from a variety of different environments, some from sizable public schools, some home-schooled, and some from small private schools.

Personally, I was of the latter, which is why I felt that Oxford College of Emory was the perfect fit for me.

Made up only of freshmen and sophomores, the university comprises of roughly 900 students, who then move to the Atlanta campus for their junior and senior years and obtain an Associate Bachelor in Arts.

Oxford is the perfect transition for those who fear being a little fish in a big pond, many of whom do in fact come from these smaller schools. Not only does one soon find themselves in a sea of familiar faces, but also surrounded by professors who truly get to know each and every student, with classes no bigger than 20 students.

Oxford College takes great pride in their sense of community, a defining trait for a campus where one’s walk to the dorm, classroom, or dining hall is just 4 minutes away.

As a former Oxford student, I have made some of my strongest relationships at this campus, both professors and friends who I am still very close with to this day. Living at the Atlanta campus now, I can imagine how many freshmen may feel lost in a sea of unfamiliar faces, making me grateful that I chose Oxford to begin my college career. There, students feel welcome from the moment they step on campus, with dozens of events throughout the year that consistently foster community and a sense of belonging.

Despite its small campus, Oxford never fails to accomplish big things. With international recognition for its academia and students, as well as distinguished professors in both the sciences and humanities, Oxford’s size never fails to give students the best college experience possible.  Oxford is also notable for its diversity, with a variety of clubs and organizations for different interests both academic and leisure.

One example is the Hindu Student Association’s Diwali event, which has become one of the most popular celebrations of the year, filling the campus student center to the brim each and every year. Oxford strongly emphasizes the appreciation of different cultures, with several cultural clubs and events that are popular across the student body, creating stronger social ties within these different groups.

Former member of the Hindu Student Association, Anjali Kambhampati ’14 said: “Coming into Oxford, HSA really made me feel welcome and became like a ‘family’ in a place that seemed very foreign at first.

“Our events were always accessible and accepting to the student body, bringing people of all different backgrounds into one community.”

The Oxford community also highly values the voices of its students, with an interactive student government that allows for students to have their say in their unique college experience.

All in all, Oxford provides a good transition into college, with a strong sense of community and diversity that develops students into accepting, open-minded individuals and prepares them for the challenges that come with the later years of the college experience.