Our i-team leader Rachel recently sat down with international student Daniel Storey on his experiences of settling in Oxford and getting involved with OICCU
What was it like moving to Oxford?
Community:
The college family system was great for helping me feel connected to the community and for reassuring me that a lot of the worries and problems I was experiencing were common and "over-comable". So definitely chat and work with your college parents on any problems you have - they're here to help
I also started out by meeting a (relatively) small group of people in my college who I knew I’d be living with and seeing them regularly made it easier to make new connections. Follow your college instagram and ask to be added to the Freshers' groups - it's good to know people before you go.
#iteamtoptip Remember you are in a new place, and don't worry if you don't know anyone before you come. Most of us didn't. But everyone is new and out of their comfort zone. They're also all looking to make friends. Of course this can take some time so please don't stress if you feel like you haven't quite got the security and stability of life-long friendships by the end of Freshers' Week. These important people will come into your life at God's timing!
Academics:
If I'm honest I had to learn to make some painful changes to my academic expectations and approach. For example recognising its okay to be really confused in lectures and gain better understanding through my own reading. Also learning how to read sources and take notes selectively. I also had to learn that bad grades do happen and I have to actually work for better ones.
Fortunately my tutors completely understood the challenge of these changes and helped make the transition easier.
#iteamtoptip Actually get to know your tutors and take advantage of their office hours. They're the best tool you have. You're literally surrounded by the world experts who want to teach and help you. Talk to them if you're struggling, even if you feel it's silly. They totally understand
“I had to learn to make some painful changes to my academic expectations and approach."
Christian Community:
There were so many good churches that trying them out was exhausting. Making the choice of committing to one was difficult because in such a short time its impossible to get the whole picture of what a church is like
When I finally chose to settle with a church I quickly felt at home because of how good the churches are at welcoming new students into community.
The myriad groups and activities within OICCU such as college CU were immediately accessible and welcoming and a great place to meet both new Christians and older ones who could give advice on settling in.
#iteamtoptip Don't spend all of term 1 Church hopping - like Daniel said it's super exhausting and leaves you spiritually unsatisfied. Feel free to spend a few weeks looking, researching and talking to students but finalise your church before the end of term. This enables you to set down roots and make the most of t
he support a church can give. As always feel free to chat to any of us if you want advice on choosing a church or suggestions from the area xx
Why would you recommend getting involved with OICCU as an international student?
I think OICCU is great for all Christians at Oxford to get involved in. It allows all of us Christians who share the context (or mission field if you will) of studying at Oxford to get together and coordinate our efforts in living out Jesus’ teachings and being light to the world in this unique context. This means community, events and teaching all catered to helping us be faithful in the face of unique Oxford student problems and to be loving servants for the unique Oxford student community.
Specifically for internationals, I’d say OICCU represents an even more unique opportunity since a community like may be harder to find where we’re coming from. What I mean is, at least where I’m from, it would be hard to find a community focused on making Christian life accessible to people our age which has such a large scale, is so holistic, well equipped and competent at what they do.
Additionally, I’d say that for all Oxford students, OICCU probably constitutes the best opportunity we’re going to get to explore Christianity in our lives. There probably won’t be a time when we have the same combination of time, community, and access to Christian resources which we’ll have as students at Oxford. So, rather than waiting till we’ve sorted out our studies to think about faith, this is really the time to do it and do it wholeheartedly by getting involved in OICCU.