A Year at Blackfriars Hall

For many students, studying abroad is a chance to immerse in a new culture. For philosophy major Aidan Pickett ’26, that dream became a reality with his fellowship at Blackfriars Hall, Oxford University.

Pickett’s path to Oxford began almost serendipitously, during a casual conversation with a professor at the close of his freshman year. The professor mentioned a Visiting Student program at Blackfriars Hall, one of Oxford’s many semi-independent colleges, and Pickett was intrigued. He later did some research and soon his curiosity grew into a goal he couldn’t ignore.

“I’ve always loved Fairfield and have benefited greatly from its remarkable faculty,” said Pickett. “When I thought about studying abroad, I wanted the same caliber of academic rigor and intellectual depth. Oxford seemed like the perfect place for that.”

Pickett is especially excited about the academic environment at Blackfriars, where a small, tight-knit community of students and faculty fosters deep connections. “You come to know everyone quite well,” he said.

What sets Blackfriars apart from many of Oxford’s colleges is its intimate size and the intellectual freedom it offers its students. Though it only admits graduate students, visiting undergraduates like Pickett have full access to all Oxford resources — hundreds of libraries, seminars, lectures, and academic societies. For the philosophy major, Oxford’s rich tradition in the discipline offers an invaluable opportunity.

“I’m really excited about Oxford’s Philosophy Department,” Pickett said. “The faculty here is worldrenowned, and there are so many niche areas within the field to explore — areas that might be harder to dive into at a smaller school. For example, the Institute for Ethics in AI was launched just a few years ago, and that’s something I’m really passionate about.”

While his primary academic focus is philosophy, Pickett considers himself to be an interdisciplinary thinker. “The benefit of the Visiting Student program is that there are no exams — just weekly papers. That means I can really dive into topics that interest me without the pressure of a final exam,” he said. “It feels like there’s a lot of freedom in what I can explore; I can take philosophy courses while also attending talks and lectures in other disciplines.”

Picket’s goals for his year abroad extend beyond academics. “It’s also about meeting people, learning from their experiences, and building relationships that will last beyond your time in a foreign country,” he said. “Oxford gives you the chance to do that in a way that few other places do.”

With plans to attend graduate school after completing his studies at Fairfield, Pickett’s experience at Oxford will shape his future path. “Oxford has this remarkable cultural and intellectual diversity,” he explained. “It’s the kind of environment that will push you to think critically and confidently. No matter where life takes me, I’m confident that the skills I’m developing here will help me succeed.”

For Fairfield students who might be considering a similar path, Pickett has a few words of advice. “Oxford students are incredibly passionate about their subjects, and that passion extends into every part of university life,” he said. “It’s a place where people love what they study, and that enthusiasm is contagious. If you’re applying, you need to be able to articulate why you study what you study. Show them your commitment to your field. It’s not just about meeting the GPA requirement—it’s about demonstrating genuine intellectual curiosity.”

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