English Church: A Glimpse of Unequaled Wonderment
In the heart of Oxford, a mid-sized city where the grocery store is a 20-minute walk from dorm rooms, Ashwin Prabaharan, a student in the Class of 2026 at Holy Cross, is making a name for himself. Currently studying at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, Prabaharan is not just another international student. He is running for Co-President of the Student Government Association (SGA) at Oxford, alongside Luke Cambra.
Before embarking on his Oxford journey, Prabaharan was an active member of the Holy Cross community. He served as a Resident Assistant and a Peer Career Assistant, and was the Opinions Editor at the school's newspaper, The Spire. He also participated in the Spring Break Immersion Program and the Student Accessibility Advisory Board.
Prabaharan's academic pursuits led him to major in Political Science. His studies have been enriched by the unique academic structure at Oxford, where tutorials—small group sessions with expert scholars—are the norm. This approach, quite different from the typical course lectures or seminars at Holy Cross, has provided Prabaharan with an intense, personalized discussion of essays and problem sets.
Adjusting to life in England has been a significant change for Prabaharan. He has worked with several tutors in political science-related courses and has served as Resource Officer for the Students for Liberty debate group at Oxford. He will soon begin serving as Charities Officer for the Junior Common Room.
Prabaharan's hometown is Queens, New York City. His love for music is reflected in his favorite song, "Vienna," and his favorite movie, "Despicable Me." His journey has taken him across Europe, including visits to The Netherlands, Latvia, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Spain, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden.
As Prabaharan continues his academic journey at Oxford, he reflects on the distinct differences between the study abroad experience at Oxford and campus life at a central university like Holy Cross. The Oxford academic year is divided into three short, intense eight-week terms, with substantial independent work expected outside of this time. The Oxford academic structure, historical environment, and student integration model create a highly personalized and tradition-steeped experience quite different from the more centralized, lecture-based, and community-oriented campus life typical of a university like Holy Cross.
Prabaharan's dedication to his studies, leadership roles, and commitment to the community make him a strong candidate for Co-President of the SGA at Oxford. As he continues to make his mark, Prabaharan embodies the spirit of academic excellence and community engagement that defines both Holy Cross and Oxford.
References:
- Oxford University. (n.d.). Study Abroad at Oxford. Retrieved from https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/study-abroad
- Oxford University. (n.d.). Academic structure. Retrieved from https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/academic-structure
- Oxford University. (n.d.). Colleges. Retrieved from https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/colleges
- At Holy Cross, Ashwin Prabaharan was an active leader, serving as a Resident Assistant, a Peer Career Assistant, and the Opinions Editor at The Spire, the school's newspaper.
- Currently studying at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, Prabaharan is running for Co-President of the Student Government Association (SGA), alongside Luke Cambra.
- Prabaharan's academic journey has been influenced by the unique features of Oxford, such as the tutorial system, which offers small group discussions with expert scholars.
- The university's academic year is divided into three short, intense terms, with substantial independent work expected outside of this time.
- As Prabaharan navigates the Oxford community, he finds that the student experience is highly personalized and steeped in tradition, unlike the more community-oriented campus life at a typical central university.
- In terms of lifestyle, Oxford offers a distinctly different experience compared to central universities, which caters to students with a preference for self-development, general news, education, science, and travel.
- Prabaharan's active involvement in the Oxford community, leadership roles, and academic excellence position him as a strong candidate for Co-President of the SGA, embodying the shared values of both Holy Cross and Oxford.
