Student Travel Diaries of the Europaeum Spring School in Oxford

Travel Diary 1

Anna Pozzi – Master in Philosophical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna

Day 1 (Sunday)

While the rest of my flatmates were still sleeping, I began my journey to Oxford from the warm city of Bologna. The weather during the flight was quite pleasant, and the journey itself was not too long. Upon arrival, I headed straight to the city centre to explore (and pick up some souvenirs). Thanks to the group chat, I also met some of the other participants. As always, I started talking so fast they had no choice but to accept me! Together, we enjoyed our first English meal at the historic Turf Tavern.

Day 2 (Monday)

The first day of Spring School began with the most incredible breakfast I have ever experienced: eating in St. Peters canteen (Hannington Hall) made me feel like a character in a Harry Potter movie. After a hearty (continental-style) breakfast, we headed to the Dorfman Room to begin the School. After Dr. Miles Pattenden’s welcome and instructions, we started with a fascinating lecture on the movement of the ‘White Rose’. In the afternoon, it was time for the student panel, and I thoroughly appreciated all the presentations. Later that evening, we went as a group to the Banana Tree restaurant for a lovely dinner. Afterward, we enjoyed a quick tour of Oxfords city centre and ended the day with a beer at a local pub.

Day 3 (Tuesday)

Unlike the day before, I ventured out of my comfort zone and tried the classic English breakfast. Jokes aside, the structure of the day was quite similar to Monday, but we especially enjoyed Ray’s presentation on Chinese social media. After all the lectures (and the group discussion), the weather outside was simply irresistible, and Angelica, one of the Oxford students, guided us on a stroll through Grove Park to soak up the last rays of sunshine. The short walk made us hungry, so we joined everyone for dinner at a Caribbean restaurant. It was a wonderful evening filled with laughter and the opportunity to get to know each other better

Day 4 (Wednesday)

Wednesday morning started with a little walk around the city centre to stretch our legs before diving into another full day of sessions about Resistance and Resilience. Among the talks, I was particularly moved by one discussing the struggles of being both queer and religious, and I greatly admired Dr. Marnie Howletts work on the Ukrainian conflict. For our final evening in Oxford, we dined at a Lebanese restaurant where I had a deep and stimulating conversation with some of the professors. A few of us later had the incredible chance to visit a historic college library, which felt like stepping into Beauty and the Beast cartoon. To wrap up the evening, we ended up at the Lamb and Flag, chatting about our home universities

Day 5 (Thursday)

In what felt like the blink of an eye, the final day of Spring School arrived. To our delight, England’s skies were exceptionally sunny right until the end. We wrapped up with a final group discussion held on park benches after our last meal together. With a little time to spare, we explored a few more colleges, soaking up the incredible springtime atmosphere as we walked. After heartfelt goodbyes, Matteo (a fellow Italian PhD student from Bologna) and I took the bus to the airport and returned to Italy, enriched both academically and personally

Just like in Lisbon, I had a wonderful experience in the Europaeum program. The organizers’ attention to detail and kindness are what make this institution’s events truly special. Moreover, the opportunity to meet so many incredible people – eager to share their stories and unforgettable moments – creates the perfect environment where everyone feels included. Hope to see you all soon!

Sunday 16 March

I travel down from rural Scotland where I live. I visited Oxford more than 10 years ago and I can’t believe I haven’t been back since then. We are staying at St Peter’s College, which is super central. Upon arrival, I receive a warm welcome from the college porter and am shown to my room.

I arrived late, so I only go for a short walk around the town centre, which is very lively for a Sunday night. I then head back to my rooms for an early night to get ready for tomorrow’s Spring School start!

Monday 17 March

I’m up bright and early and get ready before breakfast in the college dining hall. So beautiful! It’s nice to get to take part in a little bit of college life while we’re here. I haven’t met anyone yet, so it’s nice to sit and chat with other students over breakfast.

After another warm welcome from the Europaeum team, we’re off to a great start with a lecture from Dr Alexandra Lloyd. She presents on the White Rose Resistance Circle and her recent project on the collective translations of their pamphlets.

The next panel sees three academics present on the general themes of the conference: Resistance vs Resilience, from their varying backgrounds. Then after lunch we get the first two student panels of the week. It’s fantastic to see people from across the world coming together to discuss their take on resistance and resilience, from the angles of museology, prison reform, historical events, archiving and public art.

The day ends with a discussion group. Our group is shy at first, but we get going on the main question of the relationship between resistance and resilience. We’re being directed by Dr Maxine David and she really sparks debate in all of us.

There’s not much time to settle before we’re off to Banana Tree for some delicious pan-Asian cuisine. Tonight is St Patrick’s Day, so the streets are lively until the wee hours of the night.

The student panel this afternoon is on technologies of resistance, which is not a field I’m very familiar with, but which adds so much to the contemporary discussion on social media and cyberactivism.

After another rich discussion group, some of us head out for a walk to the Christ Church College Meadow. The rosy sun sets softly over the truly astounding buildings of Oxford

Tonight, we meet at Turtle Bay, a Caribbean restaurant near St Peter’s. I sit with people I haven’t introduced myself to yet, and it turns out we’re all PhD students in the arts. We have a good chat about our topics.

 Tuesday 18 March

We kick off the second day of the Spring School with a lecture on “sailors’ yarn” from Professor David Hopkin. Tales from the sea are both scary and fascinating. Octopuses and turtles are all anyone speaks about at the coffee break.

This is followed by a panel on gender. This is a subject I enjoy and I always look for these perspectives as I come from a feminist studies background. After lunch we get a lecture from Professor Lyndsey Jenkins on the impact of the work of female British MPs in the late 20^th century.

Wednesday 19 March

Today I’m presenting, which is exciting and nerve-wracking! But first, there’s a panel on queering resistance, another important intersectional dimension in many fields of studies. Then it’s our panel on resistance at the margins. I really enjoy the experience of presenting. I’m at a point of my PhD where my argument is getting clearer and presenting it today really shows me the progress I’ve made. I receive some really interesting questions that bring new perspectives to my work too!

This afternoon, there’s a panel of academics who come to present: one on the storytelling of social movements, one on refugees and resilience, and one on migration as resilience strategy. This is followed by an inspiring talk on Ukraine’s Grassroots by Dr Marnie Howlett. This is a highlight of the week for many students I talk to.

During our discussion group, we spend most of the time trying to define political terms in relation to activism. We go over by nearly half an hour and I think we could keep talking and talking. It’s so intellectually rewarding to be in environments like this, that it’s sad to think it’s coming to an end.

Then we’re off to dinner at Al-Shami. It’s a short walk from the town centre, but we pass other colleges along the way and some residential areas. The food is astounding!

Thursday 20 March

This is the last day. Last breakfast in halls so try to enjoy it all one last time. We have the final student panel on political economies. Again this is far from my usual topic of study, but it’s stimulating to hear from students in the midst of their research journey in those fields.

After the coffee break, we sit in our final group discussion. The sun has finally decided to shine, so we sit outside in the courtyard. We pick two students from our group who will present the subjects we focused on during our chats.

Then it’s time for the final lunch in halls (delicious!) and goodbyes. We’re spread across Europe and at various stages of our studies, but I hope many of us will stay in touch. I leave swiftly for the journey back to Scotland.