Alicia Buteau
UMBC Faculty-Led: Tolkien and Lewis in Oxford
Major: English
Pre-Departure Post
Ello!
Please feel free to read the following entries in a British accent for the full effect. I’ll do my best not to use too many “British terms” I’ve picked up from one too many rewatches of Harry Potter, The Great British Bake Off, and Peaky Blinders, but no promises. To introduce myself, my name is Alicia Buteau, and I’m a senior at UMBC majoring in English with a minor in Creative Writing! Starting tomorrow, I’ll be taking part in the faculty-led “Tolkien and Lewis” course in Oxford, England. Considering my major, my love of stories, and my long-time obsession with anything fantasy, I genuinely couldn’t have picked a more perfect class for myself.
Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine. Traveling is one of my biggest life goals, but I didn’t think it would be possible while also being a student-athlete. I’m a member of the UMBC Swim and Dive team, and our packed schedule of training and competitions during the school year made semester-long study abroad programs pretty much impossible. That’s why I was so excited to see this course offered over the summer and even more thrilled when I realized it was centered around two literary giants: J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. I say all this to highlight just how grateful I am for the way UMBC structures its study abroad programs. They really do make it possible for students from all backgrounds and schedules to participate. The fact that this program not only aligned with my academic path but also fit into my summer was a huge win for me.
One of the first things I did to prepare for the trip was, of course, get the books. We’ll be reading Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy and C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy, both of which, surprisingly, I had never read before. As a self-proclaimed book nerd, I’ve felt a mix of embarrassment and excitement about that. On one hand, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get to these beloved classics. But on the other hand, I couldn’t imagine a more fitting time and place to dive into them for the first time. What better way to experience them for the first time than through a course in the very city where these authors wrote and wandered?
In true Tolkien fashion, I spent the past few weeks walking. A lot. I’d alternate between physically reading the books and listening to the audiobooks while strolling around nearby parks. I even came across some wild creatures (cats) on my journeys! If you’ve read The Lord of the Rings or even just started it, one of the first things you’ll notice is how much Tolkien loves to make his characters walk… and walk… and then walk some more. So in true Tolkien fashion, I have prepared myself for this trip by strolling. I am being completely honest when I say that one of the things I’m most excited about is class itself. I’m so eager to learn more about these novels, study the inspirations behind them, and spend time in the very places where they were written.
I’ve only been out of the country once before, when I visited one of my best friends in Sweden. On that trip, I had a layover at Heathrow and remember being so sad I didn’t have time to leave the airport. Now, I’ll be landing in Heathrow and staying in the UK for two full weeks! Even though the trip is fairly quick, I have made sure to spend extra time with my loved ones. Just last night, I went to an Orioles game (despite being a Braves fan), which felt like a fun and fitting way to wrap up my final time at home. I’ve already planned ways to keep in touch, though I know the time difference will make that a little tricky. Still, I want to be as present as possible during these two weeks and really soak up the experience. That’s where this blog comes in. It will be just as helpful for me as I hope it is for you. I’m looking forward to writing these posts so I can look back on my trip and maybe even help someone else who might be considering a study abroad program like this one. 
I want to live in the moment and experience all that I can in these next two weeks. This is something I know I’ll look back on in the future, and I want to be able to say I enjoyed it to the fullest. I’ll be bringing my journal to write down as much as I can, and a few cameras to document every library, every quiet street, and every meal. Packing has been a huge feat for me, and it truly never gets easier. But alas, it’s done. So, as I sit here staring at my (finally) packed suitcase, I feel a mix of nerves and excitement. It’s definitely a little scary traveling internationally without any close friends or family, but I’m thankful to already know a few of my classmates, which makes the whole process a lot more comforting. Beyond that, it feels very surreal to be sitting here writing this first entry. I am eager for what’s to come and incredibly grateful to get to share this journey with you. While this is just the beginning, I know I’ll be writing you a goodbye soon enough. But for now, I’m off to grab my passport as I leave you with a ‘see you later’ and a cheers!!
Blog #1
Ello from England!
It’s hard to believe it’s already been a week since I arrived in Oxford. I feel like I just got here, and yet I’ve already done so much! Two weeks doesn’t feel nearly long enough to soak in everything this magical city has to offer. Every street and building feels like it holds a thousand years of stories, and no matter how much I learn, it never feels like enough. But I’ll do my best to catch you up on some of the highlights and thoughts from my first week here.
To start, my favorite British terms that I’ve picked up so far have to be “fancy,” “cheers,” “stunning,” “pop in,” and “rubbish.” Now that the important part is out of the way…
We began our trip with a workout by hauling our bags across Oxford’s charming (but very uneven) cobblestone streets to our hotel. Once we settled in, we quickly learned there would be no AC. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem in England, if it weren’t for the heatwave that decided to arrive with us. Still, we pushed through and quickly changed into shorts.
On our first full day, we went on a walking tour led by our amazing guide, Richard, who introduced us to the history of Oxford and the many colleges that comprise the university. I loved learning fun facts about C.S. Lewis and Tolkien’s lives here. It provided us with so much context for the work we’re studying in class. We then grabbed lunch at The Wig and Pen before visiting the Oxford Castle and Prison, which was fascinating and a little eerie. And yes, I already managed to spend way too much money on books that first day, making my wallet nervous as well.
The next morning, we went punting, which, if you haven’t heard of it, is kind of like a gondola ride but with a long metal pole instead of a paddle. It was such a fun way to see the river, and we even passed some swans! The rest of the day was spent exploring and figuring out the buses (and adjusting to the fact that they drive on the left side here, as I keep looking the wrong way before crossing the street).
On Monday, we officially started class and had a great discussion on Tolkien’s work. It was so helpful to already have some background from walking the city where he lived and taught. After class, we visited three museums from our syllabus. My favorite was definitely the Botanical Gardens. The “Plants in Literature” section and the Alice in Wonderland path, which was written right here in Oxford, were my favorite parts. It felt truly magical. Tuesday followed a similar rhythm with class in the morning, then visits to another museum, followed by a cozy evening playing card games in the hotel. Honestly, it seems like every day here becomes my new favorite. After each one, I find myself wondering how anything could possibly top it, only to be surprised again the next day.
Today we toured the Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera, which happen to be two places I’ve always dreamed of seeing. If you’re anything like me, you’d recognize the Bodleian from its appearances in the Harry Potter films, but even without that connection, the libraries here are just stunning. We were lucky enough to get an after-hours tour, and it was an absolute treasure, much like the libraries themselves.
Spending time here, I totally understand why so many iconic writers came out of Oxford. There is something deeply romantic and inspiring about this city that makes you want to learn, write, and slow down enough to notice the world around you. Every corner seems to hold a story, and every street has something new to teach you. Some of the things I’ve learned have come just from taking the time to really look around and absorb it all. To note a couple of things, the colleges at Oxford aren’t divided by subject like many people think, and pubs aren’t how they sound but instead are cozy gathering places that have quickly become some of our favorite spots to relax and get together in.
While the heatwave made our first few days here a bit warm, I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. We were lucky enough to get one rainy day so far, and hopefully we’ll get a few more before we leave. There’s something about gloomy weather that makes Oxford feel even more alive. It’s the kind of place where overcast skies somehow enhance the mood, making it feel dark, dramatic, and intellectual in the best way. I’ve been loving class, loving this city, and feeling so lucky to experience it all. I truly can’t recommend studying abroad enough, especially if it brings you to a place like Oxford. I definitely fancy it here, that’s for sure.
I’m looking forward to sending my next update as I spend my final days here (which feels crazy to say), but until then…cheers!