Erik's View: Oxford's Shark & Gap Years

Erik Redli is a university graduate from Slovakia who is currently living in London. Each week he gives his view on the events of the last seven days. This week he's looking at sharks at Oxford University and the benefits of a gap year.

The Oxford Party Shark

It emerged last week that Oxford students had been banned from hiring a live shark to appear at their end of year Ball. 

"A few weeks ago I mentioned the Oxford students and their game of ice hockey on the frozen university mews. At the bar at my former university, they have a goalkeeper hanging above the counter (as you can see in the photo above). Really original, but harmless.

But some ideas are really crazy, and I agree with the final decision of the university over the shark. Bringing animals to parties can be alright- you can see it in every American movie. Even in Slovakia, there is a joke about two students:

One of them suggests: "We should keep a pig in our room?"

"I don't know" replies the other, "How about all the dirt and mess?"

"Well, it will get used to it."

But a shark would be little bit over the line. I suppose, it would be kept in a tank, suffering. And no creature deserves such treatment. Not even the most feared predator of the sea. Actually, more people are killed every year by elephants than by sharks. Why don't they bring an elephant?"

The Benefits of a Gap Year

"Many students take a gap year to travel around the world and volunteer which provides them with experience that can not be learnt at school.

Therefore, I welcome any extracurricular activity that can be beneficial towards the future. Although some might argue that working for free is not worth it, money is not everything.

Altogether, it would be better if the volunteering had something to do with the subject of study or desired occupational field. But you never know. Many guys who were just playing around with the guitar made a career in music. Someone can turn a passion for shopping into a profession- just look at the people who earn a fortune in sales (or on eBay). Someone even managed to sell empty bottle for 3 dollars.

Any experience can be useful and definitely better than just hanging around drinking beer. Actually, it makes me think about how brewers start their careers... and how many professional ice hockey players were born in Oxford?"

Read more posts from Erik here.

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