Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Curtis D. - Oxford, England - Spring 2012


Hey from Oxford. Here's a list of recommendations I've gathered thus far.
1. You'll be given a map. Use it.
2. Don't be afraid to wander. See 1.
3. Do your work. Professors are super nice but know if you're not doing your best. Communicate with them.
4. Go to the Library. See 3.
5. Check out the various free museums. The History of Science Museum is especially interesting. See 1 and 2.
6. The main grocery marts are Sainsburys and Tesco. The former is cheaper, but the latter is better.
7. Fire & Stone has £5 pizza on Thursdays. It's to the north.
8. There's also a really good Indian restaurant around the corner and a better burger joint farther down.
9. Eat good food. You'll be fending for yourself. See 2.
10. But don't be an ugly American. See 6.
11. The Botanical Gardens are nice, too.
12. The Four Candles pub has the cheapest drinks, but pretty much every other pub has better food. See 2.
13. Balance between work and not work is important, but don't be an ugly American. See 6.
14. Meals at the college are also cheap and good, but don't forget your robes or they'll kick you out. So don't make them be snoody Englishmen by being an ugly American.
15. Use the resources the administration gives you.
16. Everyone here knows everything and they won't be afraid to tell (or brag to) you.
17. Manage your time. Weekends can be used for awesome things like trips. See 13.
18. Always use cash. Avoid contact with credit card companies (any companies, for that matter) if at all possible.
19. Get a phone. Use it.
20. The Purple Turtle is a club. It's owned by the Oxford Union. It sucks. Don't listen to anyone who says otherwise.
21. There are cameras everywhere. See 10.
22. If you're good at making friends, do that. See 19. If not, don't freak out. See 1 and 2.
23. You'll meet a guy named Alan Thorton Jones here. He's in his eighties, has a half dozen degrees and knows everything about everything. Get to know him.
24. If there's anything you don't know, ask. It's not a big deal. See 3, 4, 10, 15, 16, and 19.
Hope all is well,
--Curtis

10 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Haha Curtis this was the best post EVER. I love this. Yes, all true, except the part about Purple Turtle. I love that grungy, greasy, slime hole-pit of a place, and I don't care what anyone says!

-Diana Forsberg, CMRS Spring 2012

8:14 AM  
Anonymous Angela M. said...

Hey there,
Did you come across any weird vocabulary differences while at Oxford? Or any drastic changes in general? It could be from an American perspective, but I can't figure out how shopping at a particular store would spare someone from being an "ugly American."

9:16 AM  
Blogger Angela Koch said...

I loved this! I'm definitely going to take all these recommendations into account! I'll be studying in the UK in the fall. What are the classes like in the UK? Any recommendations as to how to go about choosing courses?

1:25 PM  
Anonymous Katie Kasper said...

Man, it sounds like you've already figured out the ins and outs of Oxford (very Anthony Bourdain of you)! I'm not studying abroad in Oxford, but this definitely makes me want to visit. Have fun! Oh, and that Alan Thorton Jones guy sounds like the best.

-Katie Kasper

10:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Curtis, how is the tutorial system across the pond?
Also, did you deal with any culture shock?

P.S. Miss you


- Tom Rein

2:26 PM  
Blogger Emilie said...

Hey Curtis!
I am thinking of studying at Oxford next fall and was wondering how you deal with living in a new culture? I love England, but was wondering if there is anything you are currently struggling with?
Emilie

3:03 PM  
Blogger Linda K. said...

What is your advice about choosing classes while you are studying abroad? What is the course load like?

3:54 PM  
Blogger Christine Schram said...

What was your culture shock like? Was it difficult to over come? What did you learn about yourself?

4:33 PM  
Blogger Christine Schram said...

OH! By the way I found these tips to be great and interesting.

4:33 PM  
Anonymous Emilie said...

Haha! Thank you, this post was very helpful!
Just wondering, did you find the work load very difficult? I also wanted to know if it is pretty easy to make a day trip out of visiting London, or is it too far away from Oxford to do so?

4:40 PM  

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