For seniors Emma Farrell and Danielle Coakley, studying abroad in Oxford was more than an academic milestone. It was an immersion into a culture shaped by literature, independence and reflection.
When Farrell first heard about Scholarship & Christianity in Oxford (SCIO) through Asbury University’s Catalyst program, it felt like the answer to a childhood dream.
“I’ve wanted to study abroad since I was little,” Farrell said. “Finding that opportunity and being accepted to it was basically a dream come true.”
Originally drawn to Asbury’s Paris program that was later canceled, Farrell shifted her focus to Oxford — a decision she now believes fit her far better.
“Reading and literature are definitely more my areas of interest,” she said. “Oxford worked out best for my major.”
Oxford’s academic structure differs significantly from the American system. Rather than functioning as one centralized campus, the university is composed of individual colleges — such as Christ Church and Magdalen College — all operating under one larger umbrella. SCIO itself is not a college but an affiliate program with its own building in Oxford City Center, where many tutorials take place.
Unlike typical lecture-based courses in the States, tutorials are one-on-one meetings with professors centered on discussion and essay feedback.
“It’s intimidating to sit there with your tutor and talk about what you wrote for an hour,” Farrell admitted. “But it was also refreshing. It was more like a conversation with a friend than a meeting with your prof.”
For Coakley, the decision to study abroad began long before she stepped onto a plane. As a freshman she knew she wanted an international experience, one of the reasons she chose Asbury in the first place.
“I’m a hopeless romantic,” she admitted. As a creative writing major, Oxford’s rich literary history felt like the perfect fit. The city’s culture—so deeply rooted in books, writers, and intellectual tradition—aligned seamlessly with her academic passions. The tutorial system, with its emphasis on independent reading, writing, and self-direction, matched her learning style. Rather than constant assignments and structured checkpoints, Oxford required initiative: read deeply, write thoughtfully, meet with tutors twice a week, and attend lectures. The rest was up to her.
For Coakley, that freedom was a dream.
Farrell echoed a similar appreciation for the academic depth of the program. She understood the weight of stepping into a space so saturated with literary history. Both students were drawn not just to a location, but to a culture that treats literature as foundational rather than ornamental.
“About halfway through the term, I really felt the imposter syndrome,” Farrell said. “I thought, ‘Why did they accept me? I can’t do this.’”
Faculty support proved crucial. Tutors checked in regularly, reminding students that the writing process and intellectual development mattered more than a perfect outcome.. Living in SCIO’s student housing, and an old English manor called The Vines, with 30 other students, also provided a built-in support system.
“We all felt that way at some point,” she said. “Being able to lean on each other made a big difference.”
Outside the classroom, Oxford felt almost surreal.
“It was like walking into one of those very shows set in England,” Farrell said. “Every day, I had to remind myself where I was.”
Students took day trips to London, had tea in Bath, and went on rainy walks in the Cotswolds. Even during fall break, many took advantage of England’s proximity to other sites. Farrell, joined by other SCIO students, went to France and Coakley travelled to Amsterdam, while others ventured to Germany, Spain and Hungary.
“It’s wild how close everything is in Europe,” she said. “I went to sleep on a train and woke up in Paris.”
Balancing academic rigor with the excitement of living abroad required discipline. With tutorials meeting only once or twice a week, students were responsible for structuring their time wisely.
“It’s really easy to get caught up in all the fun things happening in the city,” Farrell said. “You have to find the balance between living abroad and studying abroad.”
Spiritually, the semester deepened her confidence. Though chapel attendance was not required, students were encouraged to find local churches. Farrell visited several before settling into one community for most of the term.
“I had a very peaceful confidence the whole time,” she said. “I knew who I was. I didn’t need to twist myself to impress anyone.”
She credits that assurance to her faith.
“My identity is in Christ,” Farrell said. “Oxford just emphasized that.”
Looking back, the late nights, bus schedules and academic pressure fade behind the growth and memories with SCIO Farrell and Coakley experienced. Beneath Oxford’s ancient stone towers, Farrell and Coakley found more than literary inspiration. They found resilience, independence and a deeper understanding of who they are — and to whom they belong.
Farrell is Asbury’s current SCIO Ambassador and she looks forward to talking with prospective students interested in studying in Oxford at a tea in Shaw from 4-6. Further inquiries can be sent to her email emma.farrell@asbury.edu.
