Finals Countdown
The life of an Oasis College student
We caught up with Richard Harris, a third year student on the Oasis Youth Work and Ministry degree course.
What made you want to study at Oasis College?
I had been doing youth work for over seven years. I wanted to expand my knowledge and become better at it. Oasis College was one of very few places that would let me continue doing youth work in my church whilst I studied. You're also encouraged to work in secular fields a few hours a week/month to learn about other forms of youth work. I didn't want to just learn the theory - I wanted to put things into practice. This course was great for that; you learn what works and what doesn't.
So it's not all sitting in a classroom then?
No! The college and my church 'partner up' so that I work a few hours per week for the church and study the rest of the time. It's hard work. If you think that it'll be an easy ride you'd be really mistaken; it certainly challenges you.
Did you all disagree with one another on things?
It's a non-denominational college so everyone tends to be quite protective and defensive about 'their' denomination and in the beginning we would all disagree about everything!
Over time, we grew to understand the great points in each denomination and understand why they believed in this and that. Honestly it has made me actually look at people from different
denominations completely differently. The lecturers were very good at saying, "Don't
make up your mind on things just because that's what you've been told. Think it through for
yourself." And we found out we had more in common than in conflict.
Have you changed at all by doing the course?
I came in thinking that the youth work I did was the best in the world, and honestly a lot of people thought like that. The course has taught us how to make sure that what we do is quality and should be done to the highest standard. My vision has expanded so, so much. I now believe that I can do a lot more for the community and the area as well as the church youth.
Learn more about Oasis College or download a prospectus here.