Hi! My name’s Luca. I’m an English Literature and English Writing: Fiction double major at Pitt, and I’ll be a senior this fall. I flew into England a week ago yesterday, and over the past week I’ve been studying the history of fantasy literature at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford! My first week went very well.

I chose this program because I enjoy reading and writing fantasy literature, and there’s not another place in the world that’s as richly steeped in fantasy history. Notably, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis attended, but also, the university itself is medieval (it began to resemble an organized university in the 1200s) and therefore has very close ties to the history that fantasists study and play with. I’m hoping to be exposed to literature I ordinarily never would have encountered and teachers that are experts in the field, to expand my understanding and help me be a better scholar, reader, and writer. This week we spoke about medieval literature, of which I had previously read little, and it was very interesting!

Over the past week, I’ve begun my class, explored Oxford, visited Stratford-upon-Avon, and made friends from all over the world. It’s been overwhelming, but already extremely rewarding. I’ve met people from the US, UK, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, China, Korea, Australia, and I’m sure others I’ve forgotten. People are universally friendly and intelligent and awed to be here, which I find very exciting.