中文
HOME
HOME / LATEST NEWS / Content

The Oxford Choir Team came to SHSID

September 17, 2014

The Oxford Choir Team came to SHSID

On September 15, 2014, Oxford music professor Owen Rees, engineering professor Felix Leach, along with the Oxford choir team came to SHSID and graced the students and teachers with their clear information session and excellent choir performance in the music center.

In the information session, the professors humorously explained the unique factors of Oxford University such as the diversity of its student body composed of 17% international student population. The professors also described the fantastic libraries that the university provides for its students. During the performance, the mellifluous voices of the choir brought the audience into “ear-heaven”. Even though the performance was only for three minutes, it exemplified the rigor and discipline held by each member as they played their role in the choir, creating a perfect blend of harmonious tranquility.

The University of Oxford is a collegiate research university located in Oxford, England. Established in 1096, Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world's second-oldest surviving university. It is made up of a variety of institutions, including 38 colleges. All the colleges are self-governing parts of the university that regulate its own membership, internal structure and activities. Located in a city, Oxford does not have a main campus; instead, all the buildings and facilities are scattered throughout the metropolitan center.

Besides its award winning quidditch team, Oxford is also unique in its weekly tutorials and the sparse scheduling of its examinations. The weekly tutorials are held within each individual college, and allow students to have detailed, one to one contact with the academic staff. It brings a degree of individual attention that is unparalleled in the rest of the world. For that one hour a week, this academic advisor is all yours. In addition to this tutorial and the ten hours of mandatory lectures a week, the rest of the time is up to the student to utilize to its fullest extent. The student could use this time to research topics that they deem challenging and to pursue other interests. Oxford grants a lot of freedom to its students with the exception of mandatory academic dress code during examinations, which is at the end of each term.

And how do you apply to Oxford? You are required to submit an application on the UCAS website atwww.ucas.comand wait for the offer of an interview. A striking aspect about the interviews is that they’re conducted in the manner of an oral test. Unlike American universities where the primarily goal of the interview is to get to know the student, the Oxford interview is sort of a test to see how well you think on the spot. For example, in an interview from the Faculty of Engineering, the student might be given a blueprint and asked to explain theories and related concepts.

In conclusion, this Oxford presentation gave students and teachers detailed knowledge of Oxford University and also a general understanding of the application process to schools in the U.K. Many students and teachers were also fascinated with the beauty and professional skills of the Oxford choir group.

Written by Chris Lin 12(9) Photo by Media Center