The End of the Beginning

Imagine that you come to Oxford to pursue your dream of studying in one of the most prestigious academic institutions of the world. Imagine that you get close to a group of 30 people who become your family in this faraway land. Now imagine, 9 months later, you sit down to dinner in the magnificent Divinity School knowing that this might possibly be the last time that all of you are seated in the same hall surrounded by people who have supported you throughout.  

On July 1st, 2024, The Weidenfeld Hoffmann Trust’s 2023-2024 cohort sat down for a dinner that marked the end of our scholarship and leadership programme. This was right after we had returned from our annual retreat at the Cumberland Lodge.  

Sitting down in the Divinity School after a busy weekend was the perfect time to reflect on the special year that we had experienced together. As I listened to Mariana say in her speech, “You all have been an inspiration to me, a compass, and a shelter”, I was reminded of how the WHT community became a brave space for all of us. It was with this group of people that I found the meaningful connections I was searching for. As Mo later shared about his special bond with his grandmother and how she would be proud of his achievements, I looked around at my cohort and realised how each one of us has made our families and now this newfound family proud through all we were able to achieve in this one year.  

Be it by bonding through all the activities we planned together or finding each other in the Gaza solidarity encampment, I found within WHT the friends who care for people and causes. We have been each other's cheerleaders and comforts throughout our highs and lows at Oxford, and I will always be grateful for that. 

I now cannot imagine being at Oxford without being a part of the WHT community. WHT was the centrepiece of our time here; not just for making our Oxford dream come true but for giving us such a unique experience. Angel said during the retreat, “Oxford is lucky to have us”. As much as we consider ourselves lucky enough to have made it to Oxford, may we also always remember that we have added so much value to the institution with our presence, experiences, and brilliance as WHT scholars.  

The cohort of 2023-2024 outside the Divinity School