Pristine. Proper. Princely. That’s how I would describe the mythical Oxford campus that I was fortunate to explore on June 6th, 2025. My encounter with one of the world’s oldest universities started in Paddington where my college roommate Masa and I took a 1-hour train from to Oxford station. The ride offered a short glimpse of the meadowy English countryside and was pleasant with a plethora of seats abound on a Friday. We then arrived at our destination – the station represented a 12-15 minute leisurely walk to our first stop which was the all-too-famous Radcliffe Camera. We arrived to the camera where I then imagined thousands of Oxford grads has first donned their black robes to start their scholarly journey. The Camera was an impressive structure; unique in its circular distinction with no recourse in its grandeur. I wish we had a peek into the actual library itself, but such tickets were sparing and our itinerary was driven by other viewings. We then walked towards our first college for tour – New College. Albeit its name, the college was hardly a modern addition. Ironically among its 38 colleges, Oxford dated New College to 1379. The college gave an image of austerity when comparing to Magdalen which we saw later. A beautiful song was sung in its chapel and the lighting demonstrated a Norman background befitting of the setting. Masa and I then inadvertently discovered the oak tree where Gildroy Lockhart in Harry Potter turned Draco Malfoy into a weasel. We then left New College to then head towards Magdalen – a historic college where I had desired to replicate a photo from a fond Saltburn scene. Saltburn, in case you never watched, was a 2023 black comedy thriller film starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike and other A-listers. The protagonists resided in Brasenose College, but we were unfortunately told by the porter that the college was only closed to alumni and current students so we were unable to reenact the scenes in the college. However, Masa and I befriended a future Said Business School student who then took wonderful shots of us over the bridge to Magdalen’s gate. When walking through Magdalen, we saw a group punting downriver. Punting is quintessentially a Oxford tradition of boating down a canal with a guide similar to a Venetian rowboater.

After Magdalen, we migrated towards King’s Arms – a pub close to the Bodleian Library where the protagonist and his worshipped friend played by a dreamy Jacob Elordi first socialized. The food was mediocre but the interior design was cute and Oxfordian enough to erase any thoughts of food. Soon enough, the afternoon presented itself and I had booked advanced tickets to a 30-minute tour of the Duke Humfries Library. The library and its traditions of not permitting borrowing was compelling as I was humored to learn that King James I was told no by the librarian when he wanted to borrow a book. Duke Humphrey bequeathed his collection of 280 books to the university in 1488 hence the tributary name.

After Duke Humfreys (about $25 for the tour per person), we moved ourselves to the Oxford Union Society. The Oxford Union is a membership-based debating society which also sponsors a members bar, library, meetings spaces. It essentially serves as a clubhouse for aspiring politicians and acts as a platform to engage with contemporary world leaders and industry pioneers. The drinks were quite cheap there and I would recommend going if you knew someone in the society who could let you in. We also toured Lincoln College briefly, which was distinctly smaller than Magdalen and New, however, its quaintness and size presented a very familial setting.

Overall, the impression and architectural caliber of Oxford was unparalleled. I even hate to admit it, but I felt as if Yale’s residential colleges and their quads were a TEMU version of Oxford. However, I guess Oxford had a 400 year headstart.