Where Code Meets Cobblestones

UGA Students Study Computer Science This Summer at Oxford

Summer 2025, nineteen UGA students swapped their familiar Athens classrooms for the storied halls of Oxford, diving into computing courses that blended academic rigor with cultural immersion. Students were able to take two computer courses CSCI 3030 Computing, Ethics and Society, and CSCI 4450 Artificial Intelligence.  

The UGA Study Away program is more than just a change of scenery - it’s a dynamic and engaging way to experience education. Designed to cultivate curiosity, global perspectives, and foundational skills, this program offered students a chance to explore computing in one of the world’s biggest tech hubs. 

One of the two computer course offerings was Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, a crash course that gave students a taste of AI’s vast landscape. Led by Imran M. Hashmi, Associate Professor at Oxford’s Department of Computer Science, the course emphasized ethical considerations, real-world applications, and collaborative learning. 

“What inspired me to participate was the chance to make learning enjoyable, blending academic insight with cultural exposure and real-world relevance,” said Hashmi. “The most rewarding part is seeing students grow in confidence and curiosity.” 

Students attended interactive workshops, explored the ethical dimensions of AI, and visited the University of Southampton to deepen their understanding of emerging technologies. 

To cap off their learning, students formed project groups to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. Each team developed a proposal that showcased both creativity and technical skill: 

 “Students have shown a strong learning curve,” noted Dr. Hashmi. “In a short span of time, they’ve picked up complex concepts and produced impressive project proposals.” 

The mission of the Oxford Study Away program was clear - to help UGA computing students to become globally minded technologists. Through international academic experience, exposure to diverse problem-solving approaches, and enhanced collaboration skills, students gained a deeper appreciation for the global impact of technology. 

"With the UGA at Oxford Program, we like to provide opportunities for students from across the University of Georgia to experience undergraduate study at one of the world’s top Universities, all while maintaining progress in their chosen field of study at UGA," said Jamie McClung, Senior Director of the UGA at Oxford Program. "Any time we have an opportunity to work with new Departments, Schools, and Colleges at UGA to expand our offerings, we work hard to see it through, because our belief is that UGA has some of the finest students in the world in all subjects, and we know that given the opportunity, they will shine in Oxford. The School of Computing was a great collaboration for us, and we look forward to much more in the future."

“At Oxford, I studied artificial intelligence and computing ethics,” said third-year computer science major Million Yohannes. “The AI course was very open to different ideas and gave room for each member of our class to speak on their ideas. We learned about the different branches of AI and how we can apply each one to everyday technologies and innovation.” 

While in Oxford, students not only learned about topics regarding computer science but got to explore England. “While in the U.K., I went to London and saw Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, Soho, Westminster, Borough Market, the Wax Museum and even went on a boat cruise,” said Yohannes. “My favorite experience was getting to watch tennis at Wimbledon where I got to see Novak Djokovic play.” 

Yana Cornish, the Director of Global Engagement at UGA, firmly believes in the possibilities for growth that Oxford provides. “UGA at Oxford offers UGA students an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in centuries of academic tradition while engaging with a truly global community,” said Cornish. “The experience is both academically rigorous and personally transformative.” 

The success of this summer at Oxford follows quickly on the heels of March’s Connect Abroad World of Computing in London, a one-week spring break study abroad program for first-year computer science students. These initiatives are just the beginning. UGA’s School of Computing is committed to expanding global and experiential learning opportunities—ensuring that students not only learn to code but learn to lead.