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Post by 3jaysanc on Nov 5, 2015 3:44:46 GMT
Thanks to all that offered advice. My step daughter has been at Oxford since Jan. 2nd and she hasn't had much time to enjoy the area.
Her work load has been pretty tough. She had 16 essays due in 5 weeks, she reads for HOURS every night and she Snapchatted a pic of her laptop
and work with a heart and the caption "So glad I am spending quality time with Bae on Valentine's Day!" LOL
She ended up taking a bus from the airport and said it was easy to find and dropped her almost at the door of where she was staying which I was happy about.
We ended up not getting the International Student ID. The program gave them all transportation passes when they got there (something that was not mentioned
in the information meeting before hand)
She is staying in a large private home that was converted to be able to house the students. She is with a group of about 30, all from UGA, some undergrad and some grad students.
She has an amazing view of a beautiful garden from her room and most importantly to her Starbucks isn't far away and she can order in a lot of curry! They provide dinner for them
every night but she said it's basically the same stuff over and over and that they don't believe in seasoning their food LOL. They do have a full kitchen and shops not too
far away so she has cooked a few times for her group.
She went on a day trip to London with the group but it was pretty rushed. She visited Stratford-Upon-Avon Warwickshire, visited Shakespeare's grave, just a few little outings here and there with friends when
there was time.
Her International Law class has been kicking her ass but she loves it. Since she hasn't been able to do much during the semester, we decided to have her travel
for a week or so after the semester(Paris, Rome, Venice) and then she is going to Germany to spend a couple of weeks with family.
The week of travel after the semester wasn't in the original plan. She had hoped to be able to take weekend trips but there just wasn't any time.
She is a Zell scholar and didn't want to risk lowering her G.P.A in the slightest (Scholarship that pays her tuition as long as she maintains above a certain GPA)
so she concentrated on the work (As she should)
So now we are researching companies that you can pay to send your bags ahead. Either sending one bulk bag ahead to Germany or just one bag of stuff home so that
she can travel light after Oxford.
We have already nixed Sendmybag.com from the list after reading some reviews on TripAdvisor. I am still researching some others. Anyone use this type of service before? Any recommendations?
All in all I think she is having a good yet challenging time. Thanks again for all of the advice.
I wish I knew how to add photos, the dining hall alone is worth sharing!
Original Post:My step daughter is a student at UGA. She was one of 20 students selected to spend a semester abroad.
Any tips for a college student?
Which International Student ID did you or your child use? (ISIC, ISE)
If you studied at Oxford or just familiar with travel from Heathrow to Oxford, would you recommend the train or bus?
What are the things you wish you or your student knew ahead of time?
Any travel guide/book recommendations are welcome too!
She has a meeting next Tuesday but they have asked in the preliminary paperwork that she already have her flight booked and her student ID card ordered by the meeting date. Which is frustrating to me when we have so many questions even with those two things.
Any help is appreciated, thanks!
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Post by RiverIsis on Nov 5, 2015 6:02:49 GMT
My step daughter is a student at UGA. She was one of 20 students selected to spend a semester abroad. Any tips for a college student? Which International Student ID did you or your child use? (ISIC, ISE) If you studied at Oxford or just familiar with travel from Heathrow to Oxford, would you recommend the train or bus? What are the things you wish you or your student knew ahead of time? Any travel guide/book recommendations are welcome too! She has a meeting next Tuesday but they have asked in the preliminary paperwork that she already have her flight booked and her student ID card ordered by the meeting date. Which is frustrating to me when we have so many questions even with those two things. Any help is appreciated, thanks! I can't advise on the card. I did a semester at Oxford and met DH there. We've been married 25 years. Get the coach (not bus, those are local) from Heathrow to Oxford. airline.oxfordbus.co.uk/fares/ I believe you can book that online before she goes. To get the train you have to go into London and back out or make connections. The coach will take her straight from Heathrow onto the M25 and up the M40 and all the way into the city centre. I'm trying to think. It's been a long time and then I lived there for 16 years after we were married. Is she staying with a host family or in one of the colleges. What semester? I would normally recommend a bus pass for a bit of freedom. Kate Middleton is a good fashion icon but on the dressier side, but for women there are things such as skirts/dresses are daily wear. Jeans/Trousers are casual and can be daily wear. Take a capsule wardrobe, with layers. I found that most people didn't wear a lot of jewelry there. My biggest regret is that I didn't read up enough on the places we visited before we visited so I didn't know what I was looking at etc. I will do my best to answer any more questions. |
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wellway
Prolific Pea
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Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Nov 5, 2015 7:01:40 GMT
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Post by RiverIsis on Nov 5, 2015 17:53:40 GMT
I would avoid National Express to Oxford. The Airline is direct to Oxford and after a 7+ hour flight the last thing you want is to stop at city/town along the way. Same thing with trains. Look at duration of journey something might look good until it takes you 5 hours to do an 80 mile journey.
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Post by RiverIsis on Nov 5, 2015 17:57:47 GMT
Just saw the bit about flights. When I went they were part of the semester abroad costs for our group and we traveled as a group. She may want to consider having an open ended ticket to do some extra travel at the end of her semester. I know some of our group went off and traveled after the semester. It wasn't in my budget at that time.
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Nov 5, 2015 21:35:25 GMT
When is she going?
I don't know anything about Oxford, but one of my kids did Italy and one is in Germany now and then moving on to a program in England.
A lot of information will be shared at the upcoming and future program meetings and you'll get written instructions/advice. They get pretty specific about cell phone, laptops, adapters, medication, culturally appropriate clothing, etc. Different programs recommend different things. For example, my daughter was discouraged from bringing a laptop because the program provided a dorm with many desktop computers; my son was encouraged to bring one because he's living with a German family. So, things we tell you here might not apply to your circumstances, but I'll take a stab:
International ID: Never heard of it. LOL. If they recommend it, do it, but all three of our programs advised just using their US student IDs for student discounts. Seemed to work fine for museums and attractions and such. They weren't eligible for transportation discounts (long distance trains and buses), but I thought those discounts were just for students who are EU citizens. Maybe not.
Flights: If you have this option, I wouldn't buy the return trip yet, as she might want to travel a bit then. The program might be requiring proof of the TO flight because they need that info for the travel insurance they're buying the students. Or they just don't trust the kids, so they're imposing deadlines...
Guide Books: Books are heavy (luggage allowance). I would pre-read a couple, but only bring one. (We like Lonely Planet.) Since she'll be in an English-speaking country, she can buy more there. Plus, there's that handy internet.
Pack Light: Check the airline's luggage size/weight restrictions. Remember that she'll want to buy things there. Some kids bring clothes they're not crazy about and donate them before they come home. She can buy her toiletries and school supplies in England. She should bring prescription medicine (in original container) and any over-the-counter stuff she likes (cold medicine?) that she might not be able to identify there.
Cell Phones: Both my kids were issued flip phones with local phone numbers from their programs. My son also opted to get a SIM card (with a German number) for his own smart phone. With the SIM plan, the cost for calls and data within several surrounding countries is very reasonable.
Weekend/Break Travel: My daughter's program gave the students some training about traveling and set them free; my son's program arranged several weekend trips and sent along a staff member. (Guess who ended up being a much more savvy traveler?) The important thing to remember is that booking flights and trains within Europe can be incredibly cheap when done early. (Well, cheap compared to travel here.)
Learn the Language!!!: Joke. (British English v. American English) |
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AmeliaBloomer
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Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Nov 5, 2015 21:44:10 GMT
Oh, Capitol One has a great card that doesn't fleece you on international fees for ATM use.
Bring more than one credit card and keep them separately. Both my kids were pick-pocketed. (Pocket picked?)
Make 2-3 copies of passport, credit cards, etc, and keep them in different places.
She needs to inform credit card companies when she first goes abroad and when she goes to other countries on trips.
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Post by RiverIsis on Nov 5, 2015 21:53:50 GMT
Definitely learn some slang before you go... We had a friend that met his English in laws and said "I'll bend her over my knee and smack her fanny" Nearly killed the relationship!!!  |
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Deleted
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Jun 18, 2024 15:11:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2015 22:09:53 GMT
I would avoid National Express to Oxford. The Airline is direct to Oxford and after a 7+ hour flight the last thing you want is to stop at city/town along the way. Same thing with trains. Look at duration of journey something might look good until it takes you 5 hours to do an 80 mile journey. National Express has a direct route to Oxford from Heathrow and takes about an hour. It doesn't stop anywhere until it gets into Oxford. They call at some of the main colleges when they get there same as the Airline coach. 3jaysanc here's a link to the students handbook for the OSAP ( Oxford Study Abroad Programme ) although rather a long PDF,it does give you a lot of information. Hope she has a lovely time. There's something about Oxford Universities that are quite unique. Which one will she be at? Student's Handbook |
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by melissa on Nov 5, 2015 22:38:28 GMT
My daughter had a card from ISIC when she was a student in Russia for a short period of time. It was highly recommended as it was accepted for savings at many museums and other places of interest. It was very easy to get at the local college bookstore.
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Post by RiverIsis on Nov 5, 2015 22:43:36 GMT
I would avoid National Express to Oxford. The Airline is direct to Oxford and after a 7+ hour flight the last thing you want is to stop at city/town along the way. Same thing with trains. Look at duration of journey something might look good until it takes you 5 hours to do an 80 mile journey. National Express has a direct route to Oxford from Heathrow and takes about an hour. It doesn't stop anywhere until it gets into Oxford. They call at some of the main colleges when they get there same as the Airline coach. 3jaysanc here's a link to the students handbook for the OSAP ( Oxford Study Abroad Programme ) although rather a long PDF,it does give you a lot of information. Hope she has a lovely time. There's something about Oxford Universities that are quite unique. Which one will she be at? Student's HandbookGood to know, I have looked at the route. It seems to only be listing Brookes which used to be the Polytechnic (the stop is really outside of Headington Girls School) and is a regular stop for buses and coaches on London Road. It doesn't seem to be a special route, looks identical to the one Oxford Bus (The Airline) has been doing for at least 30 odd years (with minor changes). The Airline looks to be a couple of quid cheaper too. |
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AmeliaBloomer
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Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Nov 5, 2015 22:51:36 GMT
Definitely learn some slang before you go... We had a friend that met his English in laws and said "I'll bend her over my knee and smack her fanny" Nearly killed the relationship!!! Well honestly, even with the American meaning of "fanny," this declaration from a future in-law would be disturbing!  |
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Post by RiverIsis on Nov 5, 2015 22:56:00 GMT
Definitely learn some slang before you go... We had a friend that met his English in laws and said "I'll bend her over my knee and smack her fanny" Nearly killed the relationship!!! Well honestly, even with the American meaning of "fanny," this declaration from a future in-law would be disturbing! he wasn't future, and I gather the declaration happened during a rousing night of family festivities and the drinks were flowing until that! Sort of makes it funnier. Oh and as she is a student at UGA - shag isn't a dance or a carpet... |
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Post by 3jaysanc on Nov 8, 2015 5:02:03 GMT
Thank you ALL! This information is priceless.
She is leaving January 1st and coming back in late March/early April. The semester abroad ends mid March but we are going to spring for her to fly to Germany since we have family from her father's side there.
Her grandparents are taking care of her plane tickets as a Christmas gift. We are really thankful.
She will be staying at the UGA campus SPIA program at Oxford. I don't know where exactly yet. The program is an additional $8k on top of tuition. Fortunately her Zell is taking care of tuition and some other financial aid is taking care of the gap. She will have a meal plan that covers 2 meals a day on campus.
She will be working on 12 credits there,all towards her International Affairs degree (minors in Economics and Spanish)
I am thrilled for her...nervous because she isn't just going to be 2 hours away if something goes wrong...ya know?
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Post by RiverIsis on Nov 8, 2015 6:23:04 GMT
Wow! That's an intense schedule. It's also generally a really dark and wet time of year. If she isn't used to living that far north it can be a bit of a shock, I never did quite adjust to it and I'm from KY.
Sounds like she is going to be near St Giles, so pretty much "City Centre". With such a short time she needs to try to plan ahead what interests her to explore. The time will soon get away from her with 12 hours of classes in 10 weeks and a whole culture to explore.
Some very Oxford things I would recommend - a author reading at Blackwells (I went to Salmon Rushdie, and Joseph Heller), The University Boat Race (which is actually in London Sunday March 27th), and a local band gig - that might take some investigating. Also, Oxford isn't the worst place to spot a celebrity. Most of the ones I saw were British celebrities, most have a link or are on a speaking visit. Emma Watson and her mum waited at the same coach stop with me, Emma was desperate not to be recognized at the time - this was before Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was released. Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran walked past whilst I was waiting for a bus (his wife is from the area). Thom York (Radiohead) was in the same aisle in Sainsbury's. Michael Palin (Monty Python etc.) is known for getting public transport and people watching. I haven't seen anyone do the fan thing in Oxford, it is sort of the unwritten rule there that they can walk along without being accosted by fans. I always smiled and nodded my head. I never asked for anything as they were about their daily business.
And something you don't (but do) want to think about - I will be honest I would rather be treated at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals than any medical facility I have come across in the USA. They tend to employ only the best and brightest. I admit to being biased having worked there and my info being out of date having not been there in ten years. But the whole thing with Oxford medical community is that most of them graduated from Oxford and it is very difficult to get into Oxford (mummy and daddy can't pull strings or make donations, you are either bright enough or not) and exceedingly difficult to go through their medical program.
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 8, 2015 6:38:08 GMT
I have no valuable input, but when we saw their cafeteria it was like a scene out of Harry Potter! Word on the street was that Lewis Carroll had also been inspired in that building. That is what the tour guide said. If I ever get a second life, I am going to school there. So cool.
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AmeliaBloomer
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Nov 8, 2015 12:37:35 GMT
Sounds wonderful.
(Coincidentally, after this semester in Germany, my son will spend his "January term" in London, and they're scheduled to visit Oxford.)
I thought of another practical matter: If your stepdaughter has to register for her next semester (fall) classes while she's away, make sure she remembers to check her online registration time, which might be the middle of the night for her. If she has to email any professors or advisers for advice/permission to enroll in specific classes, she should start the process several weeks ahead. (My son is in the middle of this process now and learning that different professors have very different response times...)
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Deleted
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Jun 18, 2024 15:11:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2015 14:26:35 GMT
Thank you ALL! This information is priceless. She is leaving January 1st and coming back in late March/early April. The semester abroad ends mid March but we are going to spring for her to fly to Germany since we have family from her father's side there. Her grandparents are taking care of her plane tickets as a Christmas gift. We are really thankful. She will be staying at the UGA campus SPIA program at Oxford. I don't know where exactly yet. The program is an additional $8k on top of tuition. Fortunately her Zell is taking care of tuition and some other financial aid is taking care of the gap. She will have a meal plan that covers 2 meals a day on campus. She will be working on 12 credits there,all towards her International Affairs degree (minors in Economics and Spanish) I am thrilled for her...nervous because she isn't just going to be 2 hours away if something goes wrong...ya know? She'll have a wonderful time, I'm certain of it. She certainly won't feel lonely......there are quite a few there from across the pond  If you google UGA at Oxford quite a few links come up including a twitter link and some google images. The weather will be quite cold and damp certainly during January/February so she will need fairly warm clothes and don't forget the umbrella! Try not to be nervous, she'll be fine. Universities in this country have some great support networks in place and Oxford is up there with the best, there are so many international students there. The set up of Oxford is probably unfamiliar to you as it's made up of around 38 different campuses/collages all under the administration of what is called Oxford University. A link to their official website....... Oxford University |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Nov 8, 2015 15:40:11 GMT
Definitely learn some slang before you go... We had a friend that met his English in laws and said "I'll bend her over my knee and smack her fanny" Nearly killed the relationship!!! Well honestly, even with the American meaning of "fanny," this declaration from a future in-law would be disturbing! Right.... odd no matter how you define fanny |
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Post by RiverIsis on Nov 8, 2015 19:25:17 GMT
Well honestly, even with the American meaning of "fanny," this declaration from a future in-law would be disturbing! Right.... odd no matter how you define fanny It was the 70's. No weirder than a lot of other things I've witnessed and been told over the years. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2015 20:45:36 GMT
Right.... odd no matter how you define fanny It was the 70's. No weirder than a lot of other things I've witnessed and been told over the years. I can't imagine anyone saying that to their girlfriend's parents even in jest.......domestic violence isn't anything to joke about even if it was the 70's. I was very young in the 70's but still can't imagine someone joking about that. I know that fanny means something different here to what it is in the US but it is a potty mouth slang word and no decent person would use it in normal conversation. |
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Post by RiverIsis on Nov 8, 2015 21:23:18 GMT
It was the 70's. No weirder than a lot of other things I've witnessed and been told over the years. I can't imagine anyone saying that to their girlfriend's parents even in jest.......domestic violence isn't anything to joke about even if it was the 70's. I was very young in the 70's but still can't imagine someone joking about that. I know that fanny means something different here to what it is in the US but it is a potty mouth slang word and no decent person would use it in normal conversation. New in-laws. Rough, around the edges US military, honorably discharged. And a jovial party atmosphere. I'm not judging him on that, he was a good guy that made a double mis-step. Bending someone over your knee at the time was more saucy than Domestic Violence. |
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Post by 3jaysanc on Feb 22, 2016 23:01:55 GMT
Updated in the OP.
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Post by scrapsuzy on Feb 23, 2016 0:10:34 GMT
Have you checked with UPS? Or something like Delta Dash?
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Post by 3jaysanc on Feb 23, 2016 0:25:45 GMT
Have you checked with UPS? Or something like Delta Dash? We checked with DHL, approximately $600-$700 to have the bag sent home. What's Delta Dash? |
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If you google UGA at Oxford quite a few links come up including a twitter link and some google images.
