The College is very important to the life of the Oxford student. By having some 40 or so colleges Oxford can be both a large and great university while offering the students and dons a smaller institution which is (let us hope) more human and friendly. If you ask an Oxford student or graduate where he or she studied he or she will invariably say "St Peter's", "New College", "St. Antony's", etc. They will rarely say "Oxford". So it is very important for an overseas student to make a special effort to involve himself or herself in the life of their college. You will find when you arrive that a few students will say, "Oh, I don't live in a college, so what's the use." The fact is that about half of the degree candidates do not live in their college either. They live in annex buildings which may be a mile or two away, in houses owned by the college or in private houses rented by groups of students. So you are in exactly the same position as half of the university's degree candidates. Since most of them manage, you can manage also. First of all, you are likely to be living with at least one British student (or more if you are in large building). This student will be happy to answer your questions and show you around. In all of your colleges one of the British students has volunteered (or will volunteer by the start of term) to act as your "adviser" or "guide". He or she will see to it that you are introduced around the college just as if you were a previous friend of that British student. Your Oxford Academic Adviser and his associates and other dons of your college may periodically invite you to social events of varying kinds. This is what makes an Oxford college different from a large, impersonal university. The Junior Common Rooms have often hosted a party for incoming JYA Students, etc. "I would say that WISC has made a large effort to integrate it's students with British students." CS, Bowdoin In short, once you have been accepted by them, your college will make every effort to welcome you and see to it that you are treated as part of the college family. When British students arrive in Oxford they usually will have some friends from the same school either in their own year or in the second year. Obviously this gives them a head start in forming a circle of friends. In your own case, you will be "coming up" with a good number of other students recommended through us. These fellow Americans and Canadians will be the first friends you will make in Oxford (since you will come a few days early for obvious reasons, you will not meet British students in the first few days). As each of them branches out and makes friends with various British students (or other foreign students), they doubtless will invite you to small gatherings in their flats, in pubs, in their college bar, etc. If you arrive in the middle of the academic year, as a one term Hilary (Winter) student, say, you should not feel at a disadvantage. To begin with, the American (and British) students in your houses will have been here for at least one term and they will clearly be able to introduce you to many people right away. There will be openings in all clubs and almost all teams and your participation will be most welcome. Some students, perhaps a little shy, may say "Oh, all my housemates have already made their own friends for the year". This will almost certainly not be the case; you may have to make an effort but that should not be too hard. Fundamentally, as we say in many places, it is inevitable that overseas students must try a little harder. Imagine if you were a British student arriving at Yale for a year! If you do make the effort, many past students will tell you (some may have in person or on the phone) that your efforts will be well rewarded. So come prepared to join in and get the most out of your Oxford experience. At formal dinners the Loyal Toast to the Queen is often given. You should understand that these toasts to heads of state (NOT to heads of government) have nothing to do with the person who holds the office--they are an expression of respect (not literally of loyalty) to the nation and people concerned. Not to stand and drink to a head of state, therefore, would be regarded as discourteous to the nation and people concerned. This holds true for heads of state who happen to be heads of government, such as the President of the U.S., or of France. There again, one is toasting the office and the nation, not the politician. If you choose to accept an invitation to a formal dinner, usually held in an institutional setting, (you can always regret in your RSVP) you should know that, in general, the dinner will have a purpose, in Oxford or London usually an educational one. This means that all the guests will chat socially to their neighbours until the first Toast. At that point the host will usually introduce some speakers who will make short remarks (with any luck amusing ones). It is important to remember that you should allow these speakers (who have often prepared their remarks and given up other activities to join you and to welcome you once more to their country) to be heard. "The WISC staff was particularly helpful and caring to me. My tutorials were excellent." DM, Tufts University There is an important principle here. A formal dinner is NOT a place to eat. It is a communal activity in which the people present (including the students, of course) are most important. That is why Oxonians have a drinks reception first so that everyone can meet everyone else and why often people change chairs over port (after the speeches are finished) so they can talk to additional people. We write this at the request of many students. If you fully understand just how these affairs (which are an Oxford tradition) work you will get much more out of them and (if you enjoy this sort of thing--not everyone does) you will have a marvellous time--and you will feel impelled to write to your host to let him or her know that. This is part of overseas study. As in every institution, there will be a few individuals who are not particularly friendly. Some British students practice the silly idea of "taking the mickey" (pulling the leg) of newcomers, including the British freshers. Our advice is to ignore such nonsense (including male chauvinism, British chauvinism, etc.) and consider the source. You should not be offended by people of that sort. If some oaf insists on asserting that Britain is superior in every way to America you should either agree with him, smiling, or just walk away. People like that are obviously not worth knowing. We are sure none of you would make derogatory comments about any nation. There is much good-natured teasing about this sort of thing, and that, of course, is another matter. You should not pay much attention to a few isolated individuals. There is no doubt that one finds people who are unfriendly toward almost everyone everywhere (the oafs mentioned above are just as churlish toward Britons!). North Americans have been studying and teaching at Oxford (as have many other nationalities) for a very long time and they have usually been given a warm welcome. Certainly many students told us last year that many British students were happy to meet Americans. They wanted to learn about another country with similarities and interesting differences, to compare ideas, etc. Many were keen to have a few American friends to visit when they travel to the US! A good many British students come to us every year to say that they would like the opportunity of living with American students. So, by and large, the bonds of the English-speaking peoples, "bonds as light as air and as strong as iron," still hold up. Almost every English person you meet will tell you that he or she has a relative somewhere in North America. Having said that, previous students have urged us to say that there is a stereotype of the American which is present in the minds of some British people. A few Britons (who have not been to America and who don't have American relatives) have the mistaken idea that there is a tendency to be brash and loud in some Americans (even those people would not say these negative traits are true for a whole nation). The two famous Oxford movies, "Yank at Oxford" and its current adaptation "Oxford Blues" illustrate this false image. The story, as some of you will know, concerns an egotistical young American who comes to Oxford and brags all the time that Americans (and one American in particular) have an innate superiority in every field, especially in rowing! "My tutors were easily approachable and I had many wonderful conversations with them beyond the tutorials. For any problem arising, it seemed as if I could always find a solution. Generally, if I needed help I could easily approach any member of the WISC staff who could then lead me in the necessary direction." NR, Wesleyan University We mentioned this point since you should be forewarned about it. Once the British get to know you they will not harbor such thoughts. In the meantime, however, it would be wise to remember that any newcomers to a new place (and this includes British Freshers) should hang back until they get the lay of the land. It would make good sense to let others do much of the talking in the first week. Find your way around--find out which students you wish to be friendly with. Remember that as a newcomer (regardless of nationality) it makes more sense to listen and learn rather than to immediately offer one's own opinions on people and places which will be new to you. Above all, please do not jump to conclusions. You may come upon a custom which seems silly to you....after a few days you may realize there is a good reason for it. In addition, please be assured that the Oxford teachers and staff whom you will meet have your best interests at heart. If they seem reserved that is their nature. They may be a bit vague and not get to the point right away. That is their way of being polite. If a don tells you, "Your work is not bad," that is actually high praise. Always remember, the British manner and sense of humor is different. Please do not judge Oxford by American standards. Almost all British people realize that you are different and they will not expect you to act like a Briton. (They will, of course, expect you to remove baseball caps indoors). If we were to select just five words of advice to offer overseas students in Oxford (based upon our years of experience (since 1985) in advising such students) they would be: DO NOT JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS! Every term a few students will come to our staff or dons with what they believe is a problem (this, of course, is very good...if you perceive a problem of any sort you should talk to someone who might be able to help you overcome the problem right away.) Almost always these problems are easily solved or at least ameliorated. Sometimes, however, the student is simply acting on mistaken assumptions. He or she, not being used to British thinking or speaking (especially when humor is involved), will misinterpret what the British person was saying, or trying to say. Some may take a criticism of some aspect of America as a personal attack on them. After some thought you may find you agree with the criticism or at least understand it. Some students will accuse an Oxonian of not being "efficient" when it turns out the student has not followed simple instructions (previously given). When in a foreign country (and Britain is a foreign country) it is essential for the visitor (the guest, remember!) to first question his or her assumptions. After all, you may conclude (or you may not) that the British assumption makes more sense than the assumption you have been used to up until now. Isn't this openness to new ways of thinking one of the main goals of foreign study? If you bear these few points in mind, if you are like most overseas students, you will greatly enjoy taking part in some of the traditions for which Britain, and Oxford in particular, is world-famous. "The tutorial system allowed me to study exactly what I wanted to focus on. My tutors, especially the economics dons, were fantastic. My British housing proved to be an incredible experience." JH, Skidmore We hope you will not think we are belaboring obvious points. We have been strongly urged to discuss these matters at some length by previous students. You should remember, as we point out in our admissions letter, that courtesy towards everyone is naturally expected at Oxford (as it would be at your home college). If you are polite and friendly to secretaries, college porters (who are invaluable sources of information), dons, students, etc., they will be polite and friendly towards you and will go out of their way to help you. Be sure to let your tutors know by note or phone if you are unable to make an appointment. They will do their best to notify you if they are called away, etc. Do remember to use college letterhead or other decent paper. Americans usually say that Oxford dons are friendlier and more approachable than most US professors. They are often found in the pubs talking casually with students, etc. The younger dons will usually invite you to address them by their first name (this is because in England all members of a class are regarded as socially equal within that class...an interesting point). The age gap is much less prevalent in the UK than in the US. If you are in doubt you should ask your tutor how tutors are generally addressed in Oxford. He or she will then give you a lead. You should be in no doubt that your college advisers and dons, the college staff and our own staff are all devoted to your welfare. Problems will always arise. When they do, talk to someone and find the right person to help you. (This may take a few calls). We cannot stress too strongly--seek out help whenever you perceive a problem of any sort (with a don, with your housing, with relations with other students, etc.) If you delay, the problem will be harder to solve. Out of hundreds of students every year, there will be a few problems with living with housemates. If you have such a problem, do let one of your staff know (in confidence). Our experience in these matters can help you! We always ask for student evaluations, which we all read very carefully. Every term, at least 3 or 4 students describe a problem which could easily have been solved if only we had been told about it right away. Please be assured your problems will be dealt with. SO...REMEMBER TO LET US KNOW OF ANY PROBLEMS EARLY! Every term there are a few students who say they find the Oxford Union, formal dinners and some other British rituals to be what they call "pretentious". Any American familiar with Britain will confirm that there certainly are some Britons ( and some Americans) who could be called phoney or pretentious. We do not believe, however, that very many Oxford students actually fall into this category. Bear in mind that Britain is NOT America. The British have some customs which may seem strange to Americans at first. What some Americans regard as pretentious may often be Britons "taking the mickey" or making fun of themselves. Remember the sense of humor is sometimes different. "The tutors are very knowledgeable and understanding of our educational backgrounds as American juniors. They have been most helpful in every aspect." MC, Bentley College As overseas students you should want to learn about different social customs and styles...this is one of the main reasons you are here. So don't jump to conclusions about people who, at first, may seem a bit different from what you are used to. Even if you don't wish to share these attitudes and this kind of humor yourself, you should try to understand it...as a student. If you were studying in France or Spain (or anywhere else) you would find that their customs are also different. We hope you will agree with previous students that these few hints (and explanations of British mores) are worthwhile. After all, there are many full-length books written for international business executives outlining the different customs of the several nations that they might visit. We believe that students also need to be better informed of differing attitudes and mores in advance.