10/27/2023
October 2015 OXFORD MATRICULATION DAY
Matriculation is the ceremony that marks formal admission to the University of Oxford. It was one of my favorite days, and I’ll always remember walking through the picturesque streets of Oxford on a crisp fall morning with new students from all around the world, who would become lifelong friends.
What’s so special about this day is how the entire new student population pours into the city, starry-eyed, united by this heart-warming tradition & donning Harry Potter robes called ‘sub-fusc.’
Michaelmas term begins with students congregating from all over the world with varying backgrounds, personalities, interests, and aspirations. Students study various subjects, attend different lectures and tutorials, and will never sit in the same room with all of their schoolmates, but here, on Matriculation everyone is bound together. The single factor uniting everyone is being a student at the University of Oxford. It is a beautiful celebration of the gathering of so many diverse individuals, hopes and dreams.
After walking from Kellogg college with my classmates, marveling at the architecture of the ‘Dreaming City of Spires,’ the ceremony took place inside the Sheldonian Theatre. Designed by Christopher Wren in 1664, I felt like I was transported into another part of the world. The ceremony was fully in Latin, which made me appreciate the symbolic significance of Matriculation and the deep roots of tradition at Oxford.
After becoming ‘life-long members’ of the university, all students meandered back to their respective colleges to celebrate with food and drink 🥂 This day was the beginning of my Masters in Sustainable Urban Development. What a magical day to remember 👩🎓