joe

We would like to hear from any parent or student who spent time studying abroad at Oxford Univ. We'd be interested in knowing what to bring from home, setting up banking accounts, shipping things from the US, what to buy in UK and any pitfalls or helpful hints you learned while there. Also, any recommendations on where we can stay or eat in Oxford when visiting.

kam

My son spent a semester at Trinity College, Oxford, and the most important things to bring were more money than you think you'll ever need (it's very expensive to feed college students) and your laptop because the rooms don't have phones. Have fun

Kam

We were able to direct deposit into our son's account here in California and he could access it in Oxford with his ATM card (cirrus). We use Citibank--call your bank and ask. Also, a student Visa card will take your child almost everywhere except the small sandwich shops or the kebab wagons for lunch and a beer in the pubs.. Breakfast and dinner will probably be included with room. Oxford is not a great culinary center. There are some nice restaurants in Little Clarendon Street. Elizabeth Rest. is the premier restaurant in Oxford, but for the price, you can do better in London. Your student will very quickly learn which are the student friendly pubs and can guide you. For accomodations, remember that London is about 1 hour from Oxford. One leaves from Paddington station and I would certainly recommend staying near there, seeing some of London (perhaps your child would rather meet you in London for a good dinner and theatre as ours did). The trains run every hour and the fare 2nd class is reasonable. From the station you can take the green double deck tour bus and get an overview of Oxford and then on the second run, the guide will let you off in walking distance to where you are going. If you absolutely must stay in Oxford, try the old Randolph Hotel, it's well located. Can't think what he brought back--cufflinks for him, and a sweatshirt for the girlfriend. It was a very very expensive semester so start saving your coins, but a once in a lifetime experience to participate in a totally different but equally excellent system of education. Let me know what college you will attend. We met our son when it was over and then travelled to Italy, but Ireland would also be a good choice. Almost none of the kids came directly home.

Lolita

My son is working on his master's at Oxford, so he's been there almost a year. I think his most valued possession is his computer (laptop) because Oxford is behind the times with technology. I believe they accept hand written research papers. When we visited, we stayed at Bath Place Hotel which is a quaint hotel right down the street from his college. The Randolph is grander but more expensive, I'm sure. There are numerous eating places, but they don't stay open very late. Most closed at 7, as I recall.

There are numerous web sites devoted to info about Oxford -- colleges, hotels, restaurants, etc. Do a web search and you'll find lots of information. It's a great town after 5 when all the shops close and the tourists leave. During the day it's just too congested with very small streets, countless tourists and tour busses. Enjoy your trip.

Alistair Bear

I lived in Yarnton (just outside Oxford) but I'm a big B&B fan so have no hotels to recommend. I can say the Randolph is very expensive, although nice. I did all my banking with Lloyds and transferred money easily between my Canadian account and Lloyds. They all have interac now so it's very easy. Pubs are always cheaper than restaurants and serve up the best food.
You can buy BT phone cards at any newsagent so you
can keep track of your expenses. The bus service from Oxford is excellent so day trips are a breeze, also the buses in Oxford are excellent as well. The best thing in Oxford is the bookstores. If you are
visiting make sure you get to Blenheim Palace and
then head up to Stratford and check out Warwick Castle. There's a great ice skating rink in Oxford if that's your thing and a fair number of movie theatres. For tourists there is also the Oxford Story ( it should still be operating) which is a little ride and you learn the cities history. It's a great city and very well located and I miss it terribly.

Alistair Bear

I lived in Yarnton (just outside Oxford) but I'm a big B&B fan so have no hotels to recommend. I can say the Randolph is very expensive, although nice. I did all my banking with Lloyds and transferred money easily between my Canadian account and Lloyds. They all have interac now so it's very easy. Pubs are always cheaper than restaurants and serve up the best food.
You can buy BT phone cards at any newsagent so you
can keep track of your expenses. The bus service from Oxford is excellent so day trips are a breeze, also the buses in Oxford are excellent as well. The best thing in Oxford is the bookstores. If you are
visiting make sure you get to Blenheim Palace and
then head up to Stratford and check out Warwick Castle. There's a great ice skating rink in Oxford if that's your thing and a fair number of movie theatres. For tourists there is also the Oxford Story ( it should still be operating) which is a little ride and you learn the cities history. It's a great city and very well located and I miss it terribly.