Middlebury College-CMRS Oxford Humanities Program
St. Michael's Hall
Shoe Lane
Oxford
OX1 2DP
UK
Telephone: +44 (0)1865 241071
Fax: +44 (0)1865 243740 or + 44 (0)1865 244926
Principal: Paul Monod
Senior Tutor:Bernard Gowers
Administrator:Fiona Kilby
Assistant Senior Tutor:Emma Salgård-Cunha
International Programs
Sunderland Language Center
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT 05753
tel. 802.443.5745
fax. 802.443.3157
e-mail:
Please note that information in this Handbook is subject to change.
Copyright 2016 by Middlebury College. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photographic or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Middlebury College.
The Purpose of this Handbook
This Handbook has been compiled in an effort to begin preparing you for the program of study abroad with Middlebury College during the 2016-2017 academic year. Please read everything carefully and be sure to follow instructions. Failure to do so will waste valuable time and may jeopardize your participation in the program. A successful experience abroad depends in part upon how well you are able to assume the responsibility of preparing yourself for it.
If you read all of this material carefully you will find the answers to many commonly asked and basic questions. However, our office always welcomes your e-mails, phone calls, and inquiries and hopes that you will continue to seek guidance and support as you prepare for your School Abroad experience. Likewise, our staff is always available to talk to your parents and family and answer any questions they may have regarding your time abroad.
We strongly recommend that family members, parents, or guardians become familiar with the contents of this handbook.
We hope this information will be helpful and we wish you a productive and enjoyable year abroad.
Statement of Non-Discrimination
Middlebury College complies with applicable provisions of state and federal law which prohibit discrimination in employment, or in admission or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities, on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, marital status, place of birth, service in the armed forces of the United States, or against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability. Because of varying circumstances and legal requirements, such provisions may not apply to programs offered by the College outside the United States. This is consistent with the College's intent to comply with the requirements of applicable law. Individuals with questions about the policies governing such programs should direct inquiries to the Language Schools, Sunderland Language Center, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753.
Students are responsible for knowing and observing all regulations that may affect their status at Middlebury College. For this reason, they are expected to acquaint themselves with the contents of this handbook, individual School Web sites, and all official School memos and notices. Middlebury College endeavors to present an accurate overview of the programs, facilities, and fees of the Language Schools and Schools Abroad in this publication. However, Middlebury College reserves the right to alter any program, facilities, or fees described in this publication without notice or obligation.
Because this handbook covers a range of topics, and because it may occasionally be necessary to change the text, the statements contained herein are not meant to be and should not be considered contractual in nature.
Welcome to the Middlebury-CMRS Oxford Humanities Programme!
As you prepare for a semester or a year of study in Oxford, we would ask you to review the information in this Handbook. You will find in it many of the answers to basic questions that you may have about the M-CMRS program, about the facility in which we operate (St. Michael's Hall), and about living in England.
Students from North American colleges and universities often assume that life in the U.K. will be very similar to what they have experienced in the U.S. or Canada. While this is not a totally incorrect assumption, it is misleading in many ways. Adapting to life as a student in Oxford can be challenging, because the culture of the U.K. is not the same in all respects as that of North America. At times, it may be difficult and frustrating. It will demand a degree of good judgment and maturity as well as a dose of good humor.
To begin with, you will discover a different social environment. On arrival, you will become a member of a community of American students living in St. Michael's Hall. Through shared meals, field trips and social events within the building, you will come to know some of them well. Over time, you will also be given various opportunities to interact with students at Oxford University. This will happen through meals and events at Keble College, but also through the Bodleian Library and through clubs, societies and sport teams that may include students from other Oxford Colleges. It will be up to you to take advantage of those opportunities in order to become better integrated into the Oxford environment. Throughout your stay in Oxford, if a problem arises, don't hesitate to ask for help or advice from the two junior deans who are resident in St. Michael's Hall or from the other administrative and academic staff who work in the building.
Second, you will encounter a different, highly demanding academic environment. In the M-CMRS program, you will be enrolled in two tutorials for 8 weeks of each semester. Every week, you will write a paper for each tutorial, which you will discuss in an intense on-to-one session with a tutor. You will also take a seminar course, and in the period of time outside the regular Oxford term (the first 4 weeks in autumn, the last 4 weeks in spring) you will work on an independent research paper under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Although the academic staff is available every weekday to answer your questions and give you advice, your success in completing these courses will depend to a large extent on your own motivation and initiative.
You will find the academic program challenging, but it should also be rewarding. We will encourage you to pursue extra-curricular activities, by joining local clubs, societies and teams. You should also have time to explore Oxford, London and other parts of the U.K. on your own. The staff at St. Michael's Hall, including the Principal, Professor Paul Monod, the Senior Tutor, Dr. Bernard Gowers, the Administrator, Fiona Kilby, and the Assistant Senior Tutor, Emma Salgård-Cunha, will do everything they can to make your stay here a positive one.
This will be an exciting adventure for you, and we wish you all the best as you head out on it!
Sincerely,
Paul Monod
Principal, Middlebury-CMRS Oxford Humanities Program
Hepburn Professor of History
Fellow, Keble College.
Table of Contents
Predeparture
Expenses
Passports
Student Visas
Customs
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
International Students
Travel to the U.K.
TSA Regulations
Airline Luggage Regulations
Travel Arrangements
Checklist of Items to pack
General Packing Suggestions
Bed and Bath Linens
Electrical Appliances
Computers
Toiletries
Prescriptions
Arrival in England
How to Get to Oxford/St.Michael’s Hall
Orientation
Academic & Administrative Matters
Academic Calendar
Credit
All Undergraduates
Middlebury Undergraduates
Students from Other Colleges and Universities
Academic Programs
Academic Resources
Living in England
Housing
Meals
Keble College
Travel Within the United Kingdom
Meeting the English
Traveling in Europe
Working in England
End of Semester
Health and Safety
Hospitals and Medical Services
Psychological Health and Counseling
Sexual Assault and Harassment
Money and Banking
Currency Exchange
Money and Banking
Emergency Cash
Communication With Home & Friends
Communication and Immersion
Telephone
Cell Phones
Local Information
Emergency Numbers & Addresses
Travel & Transportation
Other Useful Information
Predeparture
Approximate Program Costs
Estimate of program costs for full and semester students as of February 2015 can be foundhere. Amounts are in U.S. dollars. Figures may vary depending on individual lifestyles and situations. Please note that the “personal” figure covers only some basic necessities (e.g. local transportation, personal items, cell phones, laundry, cultural activities, bank fees, etc.) and does not and is not intended to include students’ discretionary spending (e.g. entertainment and travel). Note that you will not need to budget for expensive textbooks; you will be required to make few book purchases, if any.
Fluctuating exchange rates make advanced planning of costs challenging. We advise that you overestimate your costs to accommodate these fluctuations. Please be sure to confirm the exchange rate shortly before your departure so that you budget accordingly.
Expenses
Keep in mind that the amount of money you spend ultimately depends on the lifestyle you choose. Remember to budget extra if you are planning to travel before or after your program. Plane tickets are often more expensive than in the U.S., but train and bus travel has remained relatively inexpensive. If you are a big spender in the U.S., bringing more money would be a good idea. Many students have found that they buy many books, as they are inexpensive and easy to mail home, and spend more than expected on gifts, entertainment, etc. Students who plan on regularly sampling the nightlife of their host city should budget extra money for taxis.
Passports
One of the first things you should do in preparing for your study abroad experience is obtain a passport. If you do not currently have a passport that is valid at least six months after your program abroad ends, you must apply for or renew your passport immediately. It can take from four to six weeks or more, and student visas cannot be issued without a valid passport.
New passports cost $135 (including processing fee), and if you are renewing your passport, the cost is $110 (if you qualify to renew by mail).
In Middlebury you can apply for a passport at the Court House (next to Shaw’s) or at the U.S.Post Office on Main Street. To apply for a passport, you will need:
◙ Completed passport application (see
◙ Passport application fee;
◙ Valid proof of citizenship [e.g., an expired U.S. passport, a certified (original) birth certificate];
◙ Proof of identity (a valid driver's license or government identification card, provided they identify you by physical description or photograph);
◙ Two identical 2 x 2-inch passport photographs taken within six months of applying for your passport.
Student Visas
Middlebury-CMRS is not allowed to tell you which visa option is appropriate for your individual situation, but we can point you in the right direction and give you guidance regarding what you need to know and do. All students must thoroughly familiarize themselves with the information available on theGOV.UK websitein order to make immigration decisions.
Here is what you need to do:
Step 1:run your details through the online tool‘Check if you need a UK visa’on the GOV.UK website.
If the tool tells you'Youdo not needa visa to come to the UK’the 2 options are:
1. You are allowed to enter the UK as an EU/EEA citizenand you have no visa or immigration requirements at all.
2. You are allowed to enter the UK on arrival as‘Short-term’ student' (formerly known as “student visitor”) –in this case the tool will also tell you that‘you should bring documents with you to show at the border. See the relevantstudent visa guideto see what documents to bring.’
This may be the best option for you if:
- plan to travel on a US passport
- plan to study at Middlebury-CMRS for one semester (less than six months)
- do not want to extend your stay; and
- meet all the given criteria
Please note: Although legislation states that US citizens eligible for’Short-term study' status do not need to obtain a visa prior to arrival, some M-CMRS students without a visa obtained in advance have encountered problems when entering the UK or have been refused entry if they have not had the correct documentation with them to show at the border. Full details about thedocuments you will need to bring with you (which are the same as if you were applying for the‘Short-term Study Visa' in advance) are available at:
If the tool tells you that youdoneed a visa, the two options are:
3. A‘Short-term Study Visa' (formerly known as “student visitor visa”) obtained in advance– You may find this the most suitable option if you:
- plan to study at Middlebury-CMRS for one semester (less than six months)
- do not want to extend your stay; and
- meet all the GOV.UK given criteria
4. A ’Tier 4 (General ) Student Visa’ obtained in advance - You may find this the most suitable option if you:
- plan to study at Middlebury-CMRS for two semesters (more than six months)
- may want to extend your stay
- may want to work during the vacation or at the end of the course, for as long as the visa is valid; and/or
- do not meet all the given criteria forentry as a ’Short-term Student on Arrival’ or for a ‘Short-term Study Visa’ obtained in Advance
Please note: Students studying at Middlebury-CMRS will not be allowed to work during the semester (M-CMRS Policy) but will be allowed to work during the vacation or at the end of the course for as long as the Tier 4 visa is valid.
Please note: other options/requirements may apply, which the tool will highlight if applicable.
Step 2: Inform M-CMRS, Oxford.
Once you have researched your options and made your decision you must complete the ‘Visas & Immigration Form’ to inform us of your visa/immigration decisionbeforemaking any kind of visa application. You will need a supporting letter for options 2, 3 & 4 above which will be issued from M-CMRS in Oxford by email with further information about how to proceed.
The form will ask you to select one of the following statements to clarify your decision:
- Have no visa requirements at all and the reason why not (e.g. that you are an EU citizen)
- Will enter the UK as a ‘Short-term Student on Arrival’ (formerly known as “Student Visitor on Arrival”)
- Will apply for a ‘Short-term Study Visa’ (formerly known as “Student Visitor Visa”) in advance
- Will apply for a ‘Tier 4 (General) Student Visa’ in advance
Process & Timescales
If you are applying for option 3 or 4 in advance you must familiarize yourself with the complete application process and its timeframes. Visa applications should be madeno more than 90 daysbefore the start date of your course. You must have all of your supporting documentation, including your letter from M-CMRS Oxford, ready to submit with your application. Visa processing offices get extremely busy at certain times of the year which increases visaprocessing timesconsiderably – you shouldallow at least 6-8 weeks. If you are applying for a visa in advance there will be afee.
Please note:If you are aNON-US citizen, you can apply for a student visa through a consulate in the U.S., but you must submit proof of how you are legally in the U.S. (I-20, etc.) with your mailed application materials. However, non-U.S. citizens (including green card holders) are treated as citizens of their home country (country of held passport) and additional processing time may be necessary.
Information aboutapplying for a UK visa in the USAincludes online, forms and details about visa application centres.
Questions
If you need further information, please go to thewebsite of UK Visas & Immigration, which provides information about how to contact UK Visas and Immigration by phone or email: by e-mail is free; speaking directly to an advisor costs £1.37 per minute on top of the cost of the call, and a ten minute webchat will cost £4. Note that contacting UK Visas and Immigration will not play any part in or influence the outcome of visa applications. The phone number in the United States is 1-888-683-9699. The hours are 8am - 5pm EDT.
Customs
If you plan to bring any new, non-U.S.-made articles of value, such as cameras, MP3 players, computers, bicycles, or jewelry that are less than six months old, you should register them with U.S. Customs and Border Protection before departure (CBP Form 4457). Alternately, you can carry your original sales receipts to prove that you purchased them in the U.S. This avoids you having to pay a duty upon your return. Customs regulations vary from country to country; there are usually limitations on liquor, cigarettes, and other goods.
Registering with the U.S. Department of State
All U.S. citizens should register themselves with the U.S. Embassy before departure from the U.S. In the event of international, political, or family emergencies, or in the event that your passport is lost or stolen, the U.S. Embassy is much better able to assist registered citizens. Please visit the Department of State’s website and follow this link to register.
Print the confirmation page after you have registered; leave one copy at home and take one with you. Students of other nationalities should check with their own embassies to see if it is possible to register prior to departure.
International Students
If you are an international student, you should meet with the international student advising staff at your home institution as early as possible to discuss how study abroad may affect your international student status in the U.S. and the ways it may impact your future plans.