Lelani Williamson Explores Oxford University

Leadership Foundation

Caldwell has monumentally shaped the way Lelani approaches daily encounters and larger roles in her life. She has internalized lessons on active listening, skilled communication, and systems thinking, seeing how beneficial this attentiveness is to both her as a learner and her counterparts as sharers of their knowledge and experience. Moreover, aspects of servant leadership are integrated into the way she takes on leadership roles, acting more as an assistant to lead individuals and projects to their most successful place. That is why being a Caldwell Fellow exceeds simply being in a scholarship program for Lelani. It means being someone who embodies the characteristics of a well-rounded individual who serves her passions and those of others.

Academic Discovery at Somerville College

This summer, Lelani studied abroad at Oxford University, staying and studying at Somerville College, the first women’s college to be incorporated into Oxford University. She took courses on Shakespeare and British History, and being in Oxford and England presented innumerable opportunities to bring the coursework to life. Her Caldwell leadership training was evident as she engaged with British perspectives, learning about differing viewpoints of the British experience and looking at various cultures and identities within British society.

Prior to her studies at Somerville College, Lelani had a surface-level understanding of the British experience, thinking only of the predominantly White British experience most commonly displayed in the media. However, after reading the memoirs of Afua Hirsch, a Black British woman, and Alix O’Neil, a Northern Ireland girl who lived through the Troubles, she found herself with more knowledge and appreciation for the citizens who had fought through and found themselves despite the conflicts and issues that existed within England, such as immigration issues and religious conflicts. She was able to form her own opinions and ideas of the British community and country as a whole through actively listening to these different stories and sharing her insights, while also taking into consideration the perspectives of those around her.

Navigating Challenges and Building Confidence

Being an other or outsider is always a challenge. Lelani was aware of the lack of representation in Oxford before going, but finding herself being one of the only minorities in many spaces was a challenging and eye-opening experience. Despite those challenges, she was able to embody the Caldwell mindset and remain optimistic and eager to gain more knowledge and experiences while studying abroad at the university she had dreamt of for years.

Learning to be comfortable and confident in spaces where you are in the minority truly only comes with experience, and getting the chance to live in Oxford was exactly that for Lelani. She practiced asserting herself in spaces and being confident in her opinions and unique perspectives, no matter how different they were from her peers. She can see this confidence sticking with her and enhancing her leadership skills in the future as she leads groups of people who differ from herself, making the ability to deliver her thoughts and directions with confidence a vital skill.

She loved Oxford, not only because she got to study Shakespeare but also because she got to try so many new things that she otherwise would have never done, like punting! Lelani is thankful for the resilience and cultural competency that Caldwell equipped her with to make the most of this experience.

Literary Connections and Personal Growth

As an admirer of Jane Austen, getting the chance to visit Bath—the place Jane Austen resided for part of her life and took inspiration for a few of her books—and see sights such as the Jane Austen Center was very memorable for Lelani. She had romanticized stories like Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility since she was a kid, so getting the chance to immerse herself in the culture and landscape in which the books and films were set was an experience she will never forget.

As an extrovert who spends most of her time with others and thrives in atmospheres where she can mingle with those around her, it was unexpected for Lelani to realize how independent a person she truly was and how much she thrived in her own company. She found joy and peace in spending time in her own company. By growing her independence and self-reliance through being alone more, she will be able to continue to thrive in environments where she has to work and explore on her own.

A Journey of Transformation

Entering this trip, Lelani had a picture painted in her mind of exactly how it would go. She would make an abundance of friends, everyone would get along, she would fully immerse herself in the culture and atmosphere of Oxford, and worry about nothing other than understanding the old English of Shakespearean literature. Coming in with this very black-and-white plan of action allowed her to grow immensely as a person as her plan began to crumble. She was naive and eager when she arrived at Oxford—naive to the various experiences of British people, giving her a very optimistic view of her experience coming in, and eager to consume the world that is Oxford University and the glamorized country of England. Now, having completed this transformative experience, Lelani can say that as an English major, she remains eager and optimistic about what she was able to learn, see, and experience in Oxford. 

Advice for Future Fellows

As new Caldwell Fellows continue to come into the program, Lelani would advise them to seek out endeavors that will not only be enjoyable and enlightening, but also experiences that will push them outside of their comfort zone and help them do things they otherwise would have never done. These multifaceted experiences will allow them to truly put into practice the lessons that Caldwell attempts to put into their lives.