Leadership Experience: Oxford — Honors Students Shine on the World Stage

By Gary Hyatt, WSU Honors College, gary.hyatt1@wsu.edu

This summer marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Honors College at Washington State University, as students traveled to England to take part in the first-ever Leadership Experience: Oxford. Thanks to the generosity of donors to the Dean’s Notable Achievement Fund and the Honors College Development Fund, participants spent 6 weeks immersed in the culture and academic traditions of one of the world’s most prestigious universities.

The idea for the program was brought to life by Dean M. Grant Norton, who discovered the Oxford pathway during a visit to a peer institution and saw how transformative such an experience could be for WSU Honors students. With the support of alumni and friends of the college, his vision became reality this year. “Studying abroad is important because it promotes personal growth by fostering independence and confidence, enhances career prospects by providing valuable skills like adaptability and intercultural communication, and expands world perspective through cultural immersion. Studying at Oxford University was a unique and transformative experience for each of the students.”

That promise quickly became reality for Aarya Bajaj, a sophomore from Hyderabad, India, studying Biology on the pre-med track. Aarya chose to participate because Oxford’s tutorial system—built on one-on-one, research-driven sessions with faculty—was exactly the kind of challenge she sought. Her focus was on psychological disorders, a subject that allowed her to combine her interests in both biology and psychology. “The tutorial style was unlike anything I had experienced before—it demanded independence, deep research, and the ability to defend my ideas,” she said. One of her most memorable moments was collecting research in the Radcliffe Camera, a library at the heart of Oxford’s historic campus. “Studying there made me feel connected to something much bigger than myself. It gave me an even greater appreciation for the pursuit of knowledge.” The experience also strengthened her determination to attend medical school and pursue her dream of becoming a trauma surgeon.

For Maya Nash, a neuroscience major from Denver, Oxford was equally transformative. She had long admired many of the scholars who teach there, and the chance to learn in the same city was irresistible. “The tutorial system the University of Oxford uses truly taught me how to take my learning into my own hands and how to think more deeply about many topics,” she explained. But beyond the academics, Maya found joy in Oxford’s culture and traditions. One highlight was attending a formal dinner at Magdalen College alongside her peers. “We had a lot of fun that night, and I made many lifelong friends,” she recalled. A lifelong dancer and teacher, Maya also sought out classes from different instructors across the city, bringing fresh inspiration back to her own students at home. Reflecting on the summer, she said, “Oxford really showed me a new perspective of what learning looks like and helped me fall back in love with learning. Personally, I grew so much as a person in Oxford and feel like I am more confident and grounded following this experience.”

Elise Opheim, an English major in her final year, used the program to explore her passion for creative writing while preparing for graduate school. She worked closely with her Oxford tutor on a collection of short stories, several of which now form part of her Honors thesis. For Elise, Oxford was not only about the work she produced but also about the inspiration she found in her surroundings and peers. She vividly remembered a day trip to Cambridge, where she and her classmates joined students from around the world to explore the city and even try punting on the river. “It was surreal to be treated like an Oxford

student, even though we were getting poked fun at good-naturedly while on a boat,” she said with a smile. More importantly, the summer gave her clarity about her future. “Being around so many talented individuals who were doing exactly what I had dreamed of made it all feel more tangible. I had been iffy on applying to Oxford for graduate school before, as it seemed like a long shot, but now I absolutely will be doing so.”

All of the students expressed heartfelt gratitude to the donors who made this new program possible. “Your support allowed me to study at one of the most prestigious universities in the world, something I never could have imagined this early in my academic journey,” Aarya said. Elise echoed that sentiment: “I didn’t think I’d ever be able to study abroad during my time at WSU… the Oxford experience was everything I could’ve asked for.” Maya added, “Your support has provided irreplicable experiences and knowledge that will stay with me the rest of my life.”

The program also drew high praise from Oxford faculty and staff, who shared how impressed they were with WSU Honors students. They noted that the students were not only academically talented but also poised, thoughtful, and engaged — qualities that set them apart in an already competitive environment. Dean Norton reflected with pride on the feedback he received: “These students are outstanding representatives of the very best of Washington State University and the Honors College.”

The success of this first summer points toward a promising future. The Honors College hopes to continue and expand the Leadership Experience: Oxford each year, offering more students the chance to challenge themselves academically and personally in an environment unlike any other. With the generosity of donors and the vision of Dean Norton, Washington State University is ensuring that its Honors students not only thrive on campus but also step confidently onto the world stage.