Jessica Adler; Visiting Student Rep
As a student of Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, I faced some
significant challenges when integrating as a first year back in 2010. Having
been raised in a small city in the northwestern state of Oregon, I found that
there were substantial cultural, and social differences that I would have to
overcome. With a lot of bravery and patience, I reached a point at which I truly
belonged, and to this day my university and my peers hold a very dear place in
my heart. Apart from my studies, I think the most important thing Sarah
Lawrence College has taught me is that no matter how far from home you go, it
is truly the people you meet in life that help make a place special. And whether
I cross a country or an ocean, there is always an opportunity to expand upon
friendships and experiences.
As a student who has already bridged cultural and social differences, I feel that
I would bring a unique passion to the role of Visiting Student Representative. While my home university offers a study
abroad program to Oxford’s Wadham College, I applied through a different program to study at St Catz. I was drawn to
this campus’ friendly atmosphere, diverse student body and forward thinking. The first thing I read when looking at this
college as an option, was that it had recently added the position of Visiting Student Rep. I believe this position is an
invaluable responsibility and I would treat it as such. I would like to maintain the strong connection that Visiting Students
have with the rest of St Catz’s community, while working towards improving the experience throughout the year and for
the next group of students.
As your Visiting Student Rep, I would focus on finding ways to encourage both Visiting Students and Full Time Students
to interact. I have noticed that the Visiting Students have a natural instinct to band together, and while it is something I
understand is comfortable, I believe it holds these students back from experiencing all that St Catz and Oxford University
have to offer. As a year long Visiting Student, I believe this challenge is one that most Term-Only students are
experiencing, but all the same, it would be useful to create an environment in which Visiting Students and both Freshers,
Second and Third Years alike may intermingle more organically.
A struggle I have heard voiced in the past two weeks from my fellow Visiting Students is that they feel it is difficult to
repeat their own Freshers (or Freshman) year. As third year university students, they want to not only meet First Years,
and experience the Orientation as such, but they want to meet the second and third years, and they are anxious to find
ways in which to fully integrate as quickly as possible. If nominated I would like to explore and expand upon the
Fresher’s Week activities, to include more intermingling between Visiting Students and the entirety of St Catz’s student
body.
I found that the information that was available to Visiting Students upon their arrival was very useful, thorough and
impressive. My fellow Visiting Students and I very much appreciated the information available in the Fresher’s Guide as
well as the letter from Mike Livesey, the Equal Opportunities Rep. As Visiting Student Rep, I feel strongly about
continuing the traditions and upholding what has already been created by the JCR in the past, as well as by my
predecessors in the Visiting Student Rep position. I would like to take the time to both meet personally with the incoming
Hilary and Trinity Term Visiting Students, as well as to communicate this coming summer with the Visiting Students of
2013, both via email, and perhaps by writing a letter to be included in their welcome packets.
As a director and founder of my own theatre company back home, I understand the responsibility and the great
undertaking of being the Visiting Student Rep of St Catz. I would devote my time as such to upholding and expanding
upon what the JCR has already done for our transition and experience here, and I would take this position very seriously.
My hope is that it will in fact improve my experience here, as I hope to work closely with the existing members of the
JCR and the student body at large, both building upon my own relationships as well as improving upon the Visiting
Student Experience. I hope, if nominated into this position that we might all work together towards integrating and
expanding upon this already diverse and friendly campus.