A peek inside Columbus State’s newly renovated Spencer House in Oxford, England

July 17, 2026

Historic. Charming. Quaint.

These might be some of the words Columbus State University’s study abroad students have used to describe the Edwardian-style house at 182 Woodstock Road in Oxford, England’s Summertown neighborhood. Since 2002, the Spencer House has been a second home for globetrotting CSU students and a signature element of the university’s international education initiatives.

“Well-loved” might be another way to describe the Spencer House. Built in 1913, the century-plus-year-old, three-story home has been in desperate need of a makeover.

This summer’s Honors College program was the first to reap the full benefits of the massive, top-to-bottom Spencer House renovation. The renovation’s goal? Preserve the historic charm that makes the house unique, while adding modern upgrades, creature comforts, safety features and high-speed internet connectivity that today’s college students associate with a study abroad experience. The renovations ensure adherence to the UK’s strict future green-energy standards.

The Honors College course “Great Conversations: Place-based Questions and Quandaries” centered around students exploring Oxford and nearby Bath, Bletchley Park and London. They examined questions linking these places to their personal lives. The remodel of Spencer House created inviting gathering areas and cozy nooks where they could reflect and share their daily experiences. Dr. Cindy Ticknor, who taught this course and many others in Oxford, observed that the kitchen eventually became the place where students did much of their sharing.

“The updated kitchen has become a central gathering spot for our students, much like any home,” said the Honors College dean (pictured). “Besides sharing stories about finding Port Meadow, tips for navigating the Tube, and plans for our next excursion, they exchanged recipes for crepes and banana bread. The kitchen, along with the whole Spencer House, is a bright, new space where we lived and learned together.”

Although the home had been remodeled, sophomore theatre education major Clare Milcarek of Suwanee, Georgia, sensed its historic character during her first visit to Spencer House.

“The house felt like it retained much of its previous charm, and I found it very homey and comforting,” she recalled. “The bedrooms gave it that real home feeling that I loved. All the rooms felt like a perfect place to read a book with a blanket.”

Recent updates enhanced Spencer House’s functionality and appearance. The electrical wiring was completely replaced for safety. Old, drafty doors and windows were replaced with energy-efficient options, and insulation was improved throughout the house. Bathrooms, plumbing fixtures and heating systems were upgraded. Inside, walls were repainted, and new carpets and flooring were installed.

The Spencer House renovation now provides students with ample space to study and collaborate on journaling and other class assignments.

The kitchen, often considered the heart of the home, was renovated to expand and modernize the cabinets and countertops. Student safety remained a top priority throughout the renovation, underscored by the installation of a cutting-edge security camera system and a new ornamental metal gate that enhances security and curb appeal compared with the old wooden gates. Additionally, the garden cottage, used as overflow housing for large groups, was upgraded with a new HVAC system, making it a cozier, more welcoming space.

Global studies made possible through charitable support

The university’s ownership of a well-situated piece of British property started in the 1980s with longtime Columbus State supporters Kyle and Sally Spencer. After attending a summer study in Oxford, they fell in love with Oxford University and wanted CSU students to have similar experiences. They first created a fund to send faculty “across the pond” for outreach and research trips. However, by 2002, the university realized that renting space each summer for this purpose was not a sustainable long-term strategy.

The Spencers’ generosity made it possible for Columbus State to purchase the house in September 2002, and the university named it in their honor. Three months later, the first group of students and faculty made it their home. The Spencer family has continued its support of the Spencer House and the university’s Oxford study abroad program—inspiring other contributors, such as the Schuster family of Columbus, to also invest in the home’s recent renovation. 

Today, nearly a thousand Columbus State students have cracked their textbooks and rested their heads in the Spencer House, one of only four Oxford study-abroad residences owned and operated by a U.S. university. Because Columbus State owns this house, its students have access to unique academic partnerships in Oxford that provide an authentic British university experience. CSU is the only U.S. institution enabling students to participate in traditional, one-on-one or small-group tutorials at Regent’s Park College, St. Anne’s College and St. Catherine’s College—all within a two-mile walk from the Spencer House.

“Study abroad residency experiences like ours in Oxford are unique to find at regional universities like Columbus State—and that’s exactly why it matters,” explained Dr. Eric Spears, executive director of the university’s Center for Global Engagement. “Other universities rent space in overseas locations like Oxford. For more than 20 years, we’ve owned our space, and in turn, that’s affording our students a genuine, fully immersive Oxford education.” 

One of the many game nights senior Kriston Huling and Dean Cindy Ticknor enjoyed while staying at the Spencer House.

Kriston Huling, a senior communication major from Columbus, appreciated that immersive experience and the sense of community the Spencer House provided him and his classmates.

“The sitting room where we hosted game nights, the spacious kitchen where we cooked together, and the dining room where we chatted over meals gave us a sense of comfort and made it feel like a home away from home,” he recalled. “The house is also located in a residential neighborhood, providing a much quieter atmosphere and access to local commercial districts instead of the tourist-heavy city center where most hotels are situated.”

Enhancing soft skills through international education 

Spears (pictured) noted that students often credit their international education experiences with enhancing their global awareness and cultural appreciation. These and other “soft skills” they develop while abroad become career-ready differentiators when they’re competing for jobs in a growing global marketplace.

“Converting foreign currency, navigating the London Underground, and translating American customs and practices for their British counterparts all add to students’ study abroad takeaways,” he said. “There is, of course, the subject matter of the study abroad course that takes our students to the Spencer House in the first place, but there’s much to be said for the experiential learning that occurs alongside acquiring textbook knowledge.”

Huling (pictured with Big Ben in the background) noted that his Oxford study abroad experience was his second while at Columbus State; his first was last year in South Korea.

“Prior to that experience, I had barely ventured far outside of Georgia, let alone the country,” he emphasized. “These experiences have challenged me to navigate unfamiliar environments, expand my global network, and approach problems with greater independence and confidence. They have broadened my perspective and strengthened the adaptability, communication skills and global awareness that will serve me well throughout my professional career in film and media.”

For some students, like Milcarek, study abroad experiences also provide an opportunity for self-discovery beyond academics.

“Studying abroad will benefit me in being more patient and being flexible about new or unknown things coming my way,” she explained, recalling a specific experience in which she had a chance encounter with nature. “I went to a meadow where there were wild cows and horses, and something changed in me, and I was reminded how much I love animals and always have. I want to find that passion and love and use it as a career to let other people see the beauties of animals and Mother Nature.”

Columbus State’s study abroad programs are integral to the university’s broader global engagement efforts, aimed at expanding students’ perspectives on campus, in the community and around the world. Each academic year, around 200 students take part in these international learning experiences, supported in part by university scholarships allocated specifically for this purpose. Additionally, CSU students can delve into global cultures and issues through a variety of international programs and events hosted on campus by the Center for Global Engagement and in partnership with campus departments, student organizations and community groups.

“The newly updated Spencer House is now prepared for its next chapter, serving as a bridge between Oxford’s historic past and contemporary student learning and living needs,” Spears said. “Your spot at 182 Woodstock Road is waiting.”

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Media contact:Michael Tullier, APR