Hey Bearcatt lovely to hear your news!
Well we're back from the Oxford graduation day.
Goodness how serious and solemn it all was: lots of bowing of heads , many latin incantations, procters carrying maces going up and down and checking there were no objections to the aforementioned students getting their degree, deans holding hand of the students to be presented and checking they bowed in the right directions at the right times, latin notwithstanding.
The only bit not in Latin was the request for donations to the university should its graduates become wealthy. This speech by the vice chancellor was possibly the most uninspiring speech to students I have ever heard (the rest of it contained references as to how much the restoration of the roof of the Sheldonian had cost) and my opinion of the university took a serious dive.
Compared with Graca Machel's prepared, dignified, thoughtful and thought provoking inspiring address to the SOAS graduands on Tuesday asking them to remember how to learn, be humble even when they lead a country, and go out and make a difference to the world, I felt that the problem with Oxford is that on the one hand it takes its traditions very seriously but on the other hand it appears reluctant to actually be an inspiration to students to change the world for the better.
Had it not been that in fact DD has been at a wonderful left wing Oxford college which encourages thought across all disciplines and all levels of study- encourages undergrads to share ideas and learning with post grads. And had it not been for the fact that at lunch I sat next to some really nice parents and know that DD has made some wonderful intelligent lively active socially conscious friends at Oxford, the graduation ceremony would have made me seriously depressed.
Maybe it is the place where social climbers apply to go after all, I thought, where they will come out the other side with a very well paid job enabling them to make substantial donations to Oxford. Perhaps that is all that Oxford is about and that's why we have Cameron and Milliband today in high places but incapable of changing the social order for the better.
If that is the case where does that leave families like ours; single parents, who are comfortable but not wealthy, with friends, but not all in high places, or DD's friends from backgrounds with average incomes. Where does it leave those who love their subject and aren't wealthy enough to make donations in 10 years time: no room for them in the vice chancellor's speech at all, and maybe no room for their intelligent children either unless serious change happens into how students are funded.
My two were lucky enough to be the last of the 3000 a year tuition fee students: they come out with a debt but not a crippling debt. Oxford was the cheaper of the two institutions, with much financial support and lower living costs, it was also without any shadow of a doubt the one with the more conscientious tutors. It was the one with the more spoon feeding as a result and firsts are more common therefore. Peer pressure to study is stronger at Oxford. SOAS just pushed their students in the deep end and let them get on with it so they learned to swim by the end and swim well, again because peer pressure and self motivation are high. Both universities (Oxford and London) encourage independent learning and thought, both gave opportunities for extracurricular activities and both a sense of the wider world of politics, finance and learning that is out there. SOAS is unique in having a focus on Asia and Africa which means it is relevant in the modern globalised world.
DD's view of the wider world dated back to the 16th century however, and DS's view to the mid 20th. DD was very happy indeed at Oxford, DS very happy indeed at SOAS. They were lucky enough to have each other to compare notes with as otherwise DD would have come out very insular and DS not insular enough.
I'm very proud of both of them, they've come out articulate thoughtful independent learners with research and communication skills who have contributed to their college communities significantly whilst there.
Sorry for the long post. I wanted to share and also to say thank you- to the universities and to encourage others to apply.