HU Students Study at Oxford U, comes back with several passport stamps

Painting the World Blue and White

Hampton University students, faculty and alumni are making a global impact this summer. Students and faculty have embarked on internships, study abroad and research opportunities all over the U.S. and the world. This blog series will feature Hamptonians on their travels this summer.  #HUworld

HU Students Study at Oxford U, comes back with several passport stamps

It may have taken 20 years for HU senior Zachary Hinton to need a passport, but he definitely got use of it this summer!

Zachary Hinton with fellow Hamptonian Britney Johnson
at Oxford University.

Hinton, from Raleigh, North Carolina, had the incredible opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom to study at Hertford College, a school within the very prestigious Oxford University. He also visited nearby countries Fez, Rabat, Merkez in Morocco, and Paris, France during his trip. 

As a computer information systems major and strategic communications minor at HU, Hinton studied computer graphics and the ecology of HIV/AIDS during his two-month semester at Hertford.

“The Ecology of HIV/AIDS class was probably the most memorable because I learned so much information in regards to the deadly plague that is killing the African-American community,” said Hinton.

Hinton sight-seeing in Morocco.

Oxford University classes are different than most American lecture-style college classes. Instead of students participating in a course with one professor and fellow classmates, Oxford University teaches within a tutorial system.

Within this system, Hinton met individually with his professor once or twice a week for about an hour where he would discuss the research he found verbally and in a well-developed paper.

Hinton at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

“This system helped me tremendously in my career goals,” said Hinton. “I not only learned how to teach myself difficult material, but I also learned how to present my ideas in an analytical and professional manner as well as craft my arguments on a particular topic on paper.

Hinton appreciated how people took an interest in his American culture, rather respecting it than comparing differences.

Although, Hinton was head-focused on his book, he did organize himself to have spare time to join the Hertford College rowing team, where they trained about five times a week!

Hinton rowing with fellow classmates
in the Oxford Summer 8s.

He enjoyed representing the college during rowing races, but his Hampton Pride was far from being forgotten.

This trip brought excitement to his goals, which are a lot closer than farther now. He aspires to become a Rhodes Scholar and return to Oxford University to study computer graphics or become a Marshall Scholar and attend the Royal College of Art in London to participate in a joint program that would allow him to study in New York and Tokyo as well.

Hinton returned home in June, and quickly was onto the next chapter of his summer—a Google internship within the Brand Studio Team in Silicon Valley, California.

HU applauds Hinton and is incredibly excited to see what more he builds as a HU student and then alum.

Another HU Computer Science Major Studies at Oxford U

Britney Johnson outside of Hertford College.

HU senior Britney Johnson from Surry, Va. also traveled to the United Kingdom to study at Hertford College.

Johnson, a computer science major, studied the human ecology of diabetes and obesity, which was her favorite course during her time there.

“I was able to gain much insight into a pandemic that affects people all over the world today,” said Johnson. “From researching its causes to analyzing solutions, this course kept me intrigued and interested the entire time.”

She also had the opportunity to construct a video game in her computer graphics course. She was able to combine what she learned in her ecology class at Hampton University and what she was currently learning.

“I worked on making a video game that would educate individuals, particularly children, about the effects of diabetes and obesity. I hope to continue working on this project in the future so that I may do my part to help lower the rate of childhood obesity,” said Johnson.

Johnson overlooking the medina in Fez, Morocco.

Along with Hinton, Johnson used her free time traveling alongside him to different parts of the United Kingdom and Europe. She also joined the Hertford College Christian Union, Cricket Club, and even played basketball with their university team.

Johnson credits HU with not only providing her with academic preparation, but also the know-how to network and establish long-term relationship.

Johnson and Hinton in Paris, France.

“Not only does HU prepare us for our specific careers, but it also prepares us for life.,” said Johnson. “Choosing HU is a decision that my twin sister and I will forever be grateful for, and one we will never regret.”

Upon her return, Johnson interned at NASA Langley for the remainder of the summer.HU is excited to see Johnson chase her goal of inspiring the world through technology.

-Gianina Thompson