OIS Alumni Arunima Shrikhande's Update

University isn’t a pool you can slowly dip your feet into. It’s an ocean of opportunity that you have to dive into if you want to really gain the best experiences. While that may sound terrifying, at the University of Oxford, that metaphor holds it’s weight. I barely had one night to cry for the childhood I was leaving behind, and the new future I was embracing, before freshers week came around and with it a packed schedule that saved me from my own depressing thoughts. Leaving home is never an easy feat, but the great community at St. Catherine’s college helped me cope with those feelings. From JCR chats and activities to constant visits to the bank, you can always find someone who’ll walk the long distance to Cornmarket street with you. 
Oxfordshire itself is such a lively and beautiful town, filled with quiet parks and loud streets (particularly Cornmarket street). I’ve gone out for a walk at odd hours to simply get out of my own head. The skyline holds a contrast of archaic architecture and glass facades, each building a sight to see. Like it’s skyline, the university itself is made up of a variety of people and I’ve enjoyed the different conversations I’ve had with all of them. The Oxford student isn’t of a particular type; we’re all dynamic creatures with our own quirks and flaws and the best way to experience that, is by studying here! While my mind is wrought with worries and concerns, I'm also excited to see where my university journey leads.

Arunima Shrikhande (Class of '18)