England's Holy Cross Provides a Peerless Experience
Ashwin Prabaharan: A Dynamic Student at Oxford University
Ashwin Prabaharan, a student from Queens, New York City, is making waves at the University of Oxford. Currently studying Political Science at Holy Cross, Prabaharan is not just an academic, but an active member of the Oxford community.
Prabaharan is the Opinions Editor at Holy Cross, and has also served as the Resource Officer for the Students for Liberty debate group and will soon begin his tenure as Charities Officer for the Junior Common Room. He has also been a part of the Hanify-Howland Lecture Committee.
Outside of academics, Prabaharan has joined the Oxford Union, the Asia-Pacific Society, and the Clay Pigeon Shooting team. His diverse interests are reflected in his hobbies, with Despicable Me being his favorite movie and Vienna his preferred song.
Prabaharan's journey to Oxford began nearly five months ago, and he has made the most of his time there. He has traveled extensively around Europe, visiting countries such as The Netherlands, Latvia, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Spain, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden.
Adjusting to life at Oxford involves an initial acclimatization period, where students settle into their living space and gradually adapt to local customs and social norms. Prabaharan, like many other students, has experienced culture shock, but has eased this process by immersing himself in cultural and social events, engaging with peers, and utilizing university counseling and support services.
Oxford hosts a large proportion of international students, making peer-to-peer learning and community involvement valuable in gaining different perspectives and building social networks. However, navigating new UK student visa regulations and compliance standards introduced in 2025 may pose another layer of adjustment. The university supports students through administrative guidance and specialized campus teams.
Prabaharan's lectures and club meetings are likely to take place outside of his college walls, as Oxford is not a densely populated city, with many colleges being distant from one another. Despite the challenges, Prabaharan is thriving at Oxford, benefiting from its diverse international community and academic environment.
Prabaharan's accomplishments extend beyond Oxford. He has been the Chief Opinions Editor at The Spire, Holy Cross's student-run newspaper. He has also been featured in the "Profiles" section of The Spire, and has had the opportunity to meet and learn from experts in various fields.
Prabaharan's campaign for Co-President of the Student Government Association in the upcoming election is not an official endorsement from the SGA or any other campus entity. Regardless, his active involvement in the Oxford community and his academic achievements make him a strong candidate for the position.
References:
[1] University of Oxford. (n.d.). Arrival and settling in. Retrieved from https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/student-life/welcome/arrival-and-settling-in
[2] University of Oxford. (n.d.). International student support. Retrieved from https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/student-life/welcome/international-student-support
[3] University of Oxford. (n.d.). Student life. Retrieved from https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/student-life
[4] UK Council for International Student Affairs. (n.d.). Supporting students with immigration compliance. Retrieved from https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student-immigration-support/supporting-students-with-immigration-compliance
[5] University of Oxford. (n.d.). Student life: International students. Retrieved from https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/student-life/international-students
- Ashwin Prabaharan's involvement at Oxford University reaches beyond academic pursuits, as he is also serving as the Opinions Editor, Charities Officer, and Resource Officer for various clubs.
- Prabaharan's hobbies and interests are as diverse as the student clubs he is part of, with Despicable Me being his favorite movie and Vienna his preferred song.
- Oxford's educational environment, featuring world-class facilities and a global community, provides an excellent platform for students like Prabaharan to grow and thrive.
- The university's campus teams, along with specialized support services, assist international students, like Prabaharan, in adjusting to life on campus and UK student visa regulations.
- Prabaharan has leveraged opportunities like traveling extensively around Europe and engaging with experts in various fields to broaden his horizons and enhance his education-and-self-development.
- The Oxford Union, Asia-Pacific Society, and Clay Pigeon Shooting team are among the club memberships that Prabaharan has joined, showcasing his passion for university activities and community involvement.
