England

Oxford at a Glance

Site:

Jesus College, Oxford University

Location:

Oxford, England

Language of Instruction:

English

Subjects:

Economics, English Literature/Theater

Credits:

6 credit hours of UNL credit
Business Majors: ECON 466 and ECON 467
Non Business Majors: ECON 466 and ENGL/THEA 386

Housing:

Student residences

Program Length:

4 week summer program; July 21 - August 17, 2013

Type of Program:

Study Abroad - UNL Sponsored

Approximate Costs (2012-2013):

Program Fee: $5,300 (includes room and board, excursions, etc.)
Tuition: 6 credit hours of UNL tuition
Airfare: $1,300 approximate
Plus personal expenses and additional travel costs

Eligibility:

Undergraduate or graduate students
ECON 211 and ECON 212 prerequisite for CBA majors/minors
3.0 GPA preferred; 2.5 GPA required

Application Deadline:

Priority Deadline: November 2, 2012
Final Deadline: January 11, 2013

The University Community

Oxford University, the oldest university in the English-speaking world, is comprised of 38 independent self-governing colleges and six permanent private halls with a total of more than 20,000 students.

The city of Oxford is located 57 miles northwest of London and has a population of approximately 150,000. It offers a wide variety of activities, from the theater and movies to sporting events, all of which can be reached by walking or bicycling, the popular mode of transportation.

Courses of Study

During the four-week period, students will take two lecture/tutorial courses concerning the British political and international economic policy. Business students enroll in ECON 466 and ECON 467, non-business students can enroll in ECON 466 and either ECON 467 or ENGL/THEA 386. Students will enroll in two courses totaling 6 hours of UNL credit. Students who enroll in both ECON courses may be eligible for an ECON minor, see your academic adviser for more information.

ECON 466 - Political Economy of Britain Since 1945: Traces the development of economic policy in Britain since World War II. Special emphasis is placed on the Thatcher era, Britain and Europe, and the post-Thatcher economy.

ECON 467 - International Economics: Covers the British approach to business and economics, including nationalism/privatization, legislation in the United Kingdom, international trade, and business.

ENGL/THEA 386 - Shakespeare’s Dramatic Arts: Concentrates on Shakespeare and the well-known literature of England since the Middle Ages. Field trips and cultural excursions will supplement the course lectures and tutorials.

Final exams are scheduled for the last week of the program. Students prepare for exams through study groups and additional individual readings. Grades for Economics 466 and 467 are based on final exam scores.

Excursions and Travel Opportunities

A variety of excursions are planned for students participating in the Nebraska at Oxford Program. On the first Friday of the program, program participants take a trip to London to see a West End show. During the third week of the program, students take a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon to see a Shakespearean play at the Royal Shakespeare Theater.

The remaining excursions vary from year to year, but could include a combination of the following: Blenheim Palace (Winston Churchill's birthplace), Bath, Stonehenge, Sandown Park (horse races), and Windsor Castle.

Extended Weekend

An open weekend for travel either in the United Kingdom or the European continent provides students with an additional opportunity to travel. The extended weekend is during the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the second week of the program. Some popular destinations include Paris, France; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Amsterdam, Holland.

Daily Events

In addition to academics and excursions, students are offered a choice of daily events. Interested students "sign up" for daily events before or after morning lectures. Shakespearean plays performed in the gardens of Oxford college grounds, classical music concerts, high tea at the Old Parsonage Hotel, and guest lectures are all examples of cultural experiences presented to program participants. Football (soccer), croquet, bicycling, ultimate frisbee, tennis, punting, basketball, rounders (cross between cricket and baseball), are among the sporting events offered to program participants.

Living Arrangements

Single rooms are standard at Jesus College. Students can also request a roommate and share a double room which also includes more living space. Community bathrooms are available for all students. Students who choose to have a roommate will share a private bathroom with suitemates. Linens are included and are changed weekly by the house keeping staff. Laundry rooms are centrally located and included in the program fee. All meals are included in the program cost with breakfast, lunch and dinner served at Jesus College.

Application Process

All UNL students with at least sophomore standing and a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to apply; highly motivated students with 2.5 - 2.99 GPA’s may also apply and be considered for acceptance. CBA major students are required to have completed ECON 211 and ECON 212 before arriving in Oxford; they are prerequisite courses for ECON 467. For non-CBA majors, an understanding of introductory economics is helpful but not required.

The program operates on a rolling admissions basis and could fill before the deadline occurs. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications are accepted from the beginning of September through the final deadline on January 11, 2013. A priority deadline has been established for November 2, 2012; students who apply by the priority deadline should know of their acceptance to the Oxford program by the end of the fall semester.

Oxford Application

Individuals interested in the Oxford Study Abroad Program may apply online through the MyWorld system hosted by the UNL Education Abroad Office. All students are required to complete the online application, submit a professional resume, answer essay questions and submit a UNL transcript. Apply online at Education Abroad - http://educationabroad.unl.edu/. Search for "Oxford" in the left-side search box, select the "UNL Faculty-Led: Nebraska at Oxford" Program, and click "Apply Now". In order for an application to be reviewed, all application materials must be complete and submitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What about transportation?

Students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the United Kingdom. A Travel Orientation will be held to assist students in learning more about planning and booking international travel to Europe; students interested in learning more about European travel should plan to attend a Travel Orientation. Education Abroad at UNL provides assistance and resources in booking air travel. Students should book early for the best choice of dates and prices. Contact Education Abroad at 420 University Terrace, (402) 472-5358, email: studyabroad@unl.edu

What about passports and visas?

All students are required to have a passport for international travel to the UK. International students may also be required to obtain a visa to enter the UK; the Embassy or Consulate of the UK (and any other country the student plans to visit) will provide information and services to students about how to obtain a student visa and other entry requirements. US citizens do not require a visa in the European Union if staying under 90 days. For more information visit: http://educationabroad.unl.edu/passports-and-visas/

Will the classes count for my degree?

CBA students should discuss general academic information about the program with an Academic Adviser in CBA 114 and Non-CBA students should discuss how the classes would apply to their degree with their previously assigned Academic Adviser.

Is Financial Aid available?

Federal Financial Aid and many UNL scholarships may be used toward studying abroad through the Nebraska at Oxford Program. Students planning to use Federal Financial Aid or want to know whether their current scholarships/aid can be applied to studying abroad should speak with a Study Abroad Financial Aid Counselor in the UNL Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid in Canfield 17, (402) 472-2030. Scholarship opportunities can be found on the internet, through Education Abroad, or through CBA (for CBA students) by completing the Scholarships and Financial Aid general application available on MyRed from November 1 through February 1.

How easy is it to get from place to place?

Public transportation is more readily available in Europe. Buses run regularly around Oxford and to London and other local towns. Traveling by train offers students to travel at an affordable rate. Bus and train schedules can be found on campus and at the station. If a bus is not available you can take a taxi; always ask for the fare before you choose your taxi because fares can be competitive. Busses and trains are also convenient for your travel breaks. The London airports are also convenient ways to travel, especially when going long distances, some very cheap fares can be found from London to popular European destinations by using discount airlines.

How will I call home?

Participants may be able to purchase or rent cell phones that are internationally capable; students should check with their current cell phone provider regarding internationally calling capability and current rates. Students may also call home through use of an international phone card purchased in the US or at a convenience store. Students can also make calls from one computer to another at no cost using a program called Skype. In order to do this, both the caller and the receiver must have the Skype software which can be downloaded for free. Additionally, students may pay by the minute to call from a computer to a regular telephone line for a very low rate. In order to use Skype, a headset with microphone is required. These may be purchased in the U.S. at major retail stores or at select stores in England.

How do I send things home?

The program coordinators will help students determine the best way to send letters packages home. Students can send postcards from Jesus College for not extra cost as it’s included within the program fee. There is also a post office in Oxford for mailing letters and packages. Stamps can be purchased at most stands that sell postcards and in a post office.

How will I get money?

ATM's are located all over Europe with English as an optional language. Most banks offer on-line banking services, which makes it easy for students to keep track of account activity while abroad. Credit cards are also a convenient and safe way to spend money and more places are accepting them every day. It’s important to bring at least 100 British Pounds with you for the instance of immediate purchases upon arrival. International currency may need to be ordered from a local bank at least 2 weeks prior to departure.

What else will I need?

Before departure, students will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure Education Abroad orientation session which is held to help students prepare for their international experience. For information about needed items for pre-departure preparation please contact Megan Friesen, CBA Study Abroad Coordinator in CBA 114 at (402) 472-2310.

How can I get more information?

Complete course descriptions, additional program information, and applications are available in the CBA Undergraduate Advising Office. General books about living traveling, and working in England are available in the the Education Abroad resource center at 420 University Terrace, Lincoln, NE 68588-0682. Additional information can be found at Education Abroad's home page. Oxford information sessions will be held in the College of Business Administration throughout the semester, stop by to speak with a study abroad coordinator and learn more about the program. For information on session dates and times stop by CBA 114.