Windsor Castle, Eton college, Oxford University

This weekend us girls decided just to go on a day trip instead of a full weekend trip because we have our physics final this week. So we decided to take a trip to Windsor Castle, Eton College, and the University of Oxford, and man was it beautiful.

Our first stop was to Windsor Castle, home of the Queen. We came there in time to watch the changing of the guards, which was very different from what I remember about the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. The Queens flag was raised on the castles flag pole showing that the Queen was at the castle! (Typically, if the queen was away from the castle, they would replace her flag with the British Flag, and when she would return, they would put up her flag).

In the town of Windsor, we were also able to visit Eton college. If you do not know what Eton college is, it was originally a school built by Henry the 6th for 25 poor boys, but over hundreds of years, has become one of the most elite colleges in England. I believe there are only 1300 men that attend this college, (which included Prince William and Harry,) and what we know is that tuition to attend is about 30,000 pounds a term- think of it as $60,000 dollars a term! Ridiculous, but beautiful.

After Windsor, we took a coach to the University of Oxford. Now like I said, Eton College is one of the most elite schools in England, but Oxford is known as THE UNIVERSITY to go to. It is the most elite university in England. Our tour guide explained to us why this school is so amazing, and I found myself mezmerized. He explained how the grading system at the school is based on a test taken as your first year there. If you do not pass that first exam, you are automatically dismissed from the school. And over the next 3-4 years, depending on your certain degree, you will not have any more exams until the year you plan to graduate, which consists of twelve 3 hour test in two weeks! Now this material covers everything from the 3-4 years you were at the school. INTENSE! Luckily when we were there, many students were gradating so we were able to see geniuses up close! One of the graduates we ran into and conversed with was actually very humble and down to earth. Congrats to him!

Besides that, Oxford University is also known as the campus where the Harry Potter films were shot. It was awesome to see everything up close, such as the main dining hall, the staircase, and the courtyard in the movie. Check it out!

: Windsor Castle, England

: These are the beautiful dormitories of the students. They are very anal about stepping on the grass!

: beautiful buildings!

: This is the world famous library. this is the home to 8 MILLION books, (160 km I believe.) The books are cared by 300 librarians, these books are exclusively for Oxford students, no one other than students are allowed in the building. One copy of every book published in england goes to this library. What you cannot see in the 3 floors directly under this.