In the Grand University Town

We enjoyed a terrific trip to Oxford the other night, to send our friends Peter and Sara off to America. They're moving to Melville, NY just as we're moving here!

Their son Samuel is an Oxford student pursuing Greek and Latin studies. He explained that the classes involve meeting with scholars educated in a particular subject for discussion. There are no textbook or reading lists for the classes - students are expected to learn the subjects on their own and be tested late in the school year. The homework? Essays. Lots of them, which they must defend. The most amazing thing to us (Americans) was that there is no central campus. Oxford University is spread out across the entire town. And those classes we talked about? Here's the big surprise. Two students, possibly three, per "class." Talk about personalized education!

We shared a great meal at Brown's, and afterward, Samuel led us through narrow alleys to get to his favorite pub. Can't recall the name of it, but the pub name across the street amazed us - the Nosebag. Ha!