University of the Pacific students can now pursue immersive academic experiences at two of England’s most prestigious universities through new study abroad partnerships with University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.

Oxford ranks No. 2 in the world for social sciences, behind only Massachusetts Institute of Technology, while Cambridge ranks No. 7. 

The partnerships expand Pacific’s growing portfolio of global opportunities, giving students the chance to study in Oxford and Cambridge while engaging in small-group instruction, independent research and academic communities of students and scholars from around the world.

"Through these new agreements, Pacific offers high-achieving and ambitious students—particularly those in the Honors Program—access to exceptional academic opportunities at some of the United Kingdom's most prestigious universities,” said Director of Global Education Witold Wolny.

The Oxford Study Abroad Program allows participants to pursue courses tailored to their academic interests while gaining access to Oxford libraries and resources.

Semester-length and summer options are available. Students also will receive centrally located housing, orientation, cultural activities and on-site support during their time abroad. The opportunity immerses students in a new city, a different culture and offers a broader global perspective.

“Alongside the new partnerships with Oxford and Cambridge, Pacific has also established an agreement with the London School of Economics, where our first Pacific student will study during the upcoming academic year. Together, these programs offer the intellectual challenge, individualized learning and international experience that can help our students reach their fullest potential," Wolny said. 

The University of Cambridge study abroad program is offered through the university’s Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, an interdisciplinary research institute focused on the relationship between science and religious belief.

The semester program emphasizes small-group tutorials, independent study and intensive reading and writing. Students explore questions at the intersection of science, religion, philosophy, ethics, health, technology and society, with potential areas of study including creation and evolution, cognition and faith, medical ethics and artificial intelligence.

For Rafaela Belen Reyes Olaechea ’28 who participated in the Cambridge program this year, the experience provided both an academic challenge and an opportunity to discover new interests.

Arriving in Cambridge Jan. 20 and staying through May 28, she participated in weekly lectures, discussions and seminars through a program focused on theology and science. Each week brought a new topic, followed by discussions with classmates and a 20-minute seminar in which students presented what they had learned.

The Cambridge experience also led to an unexpected opportunity to pursue undergraduate research through Pacific's summer research program. Inspired by topics explored in Cambridge, Olaechea applied to conduct research related to the program's coursework.

Students become members of Lucy Cavendish College, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge. The arrangement offers students an opportunity to experience Cambridge's distinctive college culture while connecting with scholars and students from across disciplines.

For Olaechea, college life was another highlight of the experience. Formal dinners, academic conversations and gatherings brought together students studying diverse subjects.

“There's always someone that I don't know who is doing research on physics, and another person is doing research on geography,” she said. “It's really interesting to meet such passionate people about their studies.”

The experience extended beyond Cambridge, as well. Olaechea traveled throughout Europe with friends and family, visiting Scotland, France, Morocco, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

“Being able to go to a different country, learn the culture and then travel with my friends and my family ... it's amazing for me,” she said. “I realized that the world is so big.”

Together, the Oxford and Cambridge partnerships provide Pacific students with opportunities to pursue rigorous academic study while experiencing the history, culture and international perspective of two of the world's most renowned university cities.

For students who may never have imagined studying abroad, the experience can open possibilities and opportunities they never thought possible.

“I'm so grateful that Pacific gave me this opportunity, because I never thought that I was going to study abroad. I never thought Cambridge could be an opportunity for me at some point. But it's amazing.”

Learn more about study abroad programs at Pacific.