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Students who have already been accepted on the programme
will find these pages useful.
Getting ready
By deciding to participate in a Study Abroad programme, you are choosing
the way in which you will encounter and experience a different culture.
At St. Clare's you will translate involvement in a local community into
international experience and global understanding.
Forms to be returned
- Medical Form (required)
- Student Covenant (required)
- Computer Users' Contract (required)
- Airport Pick-up (optional)
Please send us two
passport-sized photos in advance.
Things to Bring
Checklist
- Passport and a photocopy of the information page
- Visa (if required for programme - check the website
information below)
- International Student Identity Card
- Photocopy of your Birth Certificate (this will
be useful during your stay)
- Letter of Acceptance (bring in hand luggage)
- Study Certificate (bring in hand luggage)
Passports
If you are studying on an overseas programme, you will need a valid passport.
Be aware that if you need to apply for a passport to travel, it generally
takes two to three weeks to process an application, and may take longer,
especially during peak travel times.
Visas
A visa is written permission to visit a country granted by the government
of that country. Important: If you are travelling on a passport other
than a US passport, you should check with the nearest British embassy
or consulate to determine whether a visa will be required. You must have
your passport before you can apply for your visa. The web site of the
British Embassy in the United States is http://www.britainusa.com/visas/visas.asp
International Student
Identity Card (ISIC)
The International Student Identity Card permits you to obtain discounts
at many museums and galleries, to some cultural/performing arts events,
and most importantly, to receive discounts on airline tickets to and from
your destination. 
Luggage and Packing
- Bring your laptop
We advise you to bring your laptop with you. We also recommend that
you install a wireless connection card prior to arrival as they are
often cheaper overseas. Remember that UK electrical supply is 240v.
You will need to check your laptop compatibility.
- Selecting your luggage
Take only bags that are light, easy to carry, and sturdy. If you are
buying luggage for this journey, choose bags that are soft-sided and
made of heavy-grade nylon or similar material. If your luggage does
not have wheels, you might want to buy a small luggage carrier. The
most useful set of luggage might include one large suitcase, one smaller
bag or backpack, and one shoulder-type bag.
- Packing
Remember to pack with the realisation that you will be carrying these
bags around with you when you get off the plane and you will be carrying
them if you travel after the programme. Keep in mind that storage space
is limited, so keep packed luggage to a minimum. Be sure to lock all
luggage, and do not pack valuables (cameras, money, jewellery, items
with sentimental value, etc.) in checked baggage.
- Luggage Restrictions
All airlines have restrictions on the size, weight, and number of luggage
items that you can take without incurring additional, and significant,
expense. Most airlines allow two checked pieces of luggage and one small
carryon piece, which will be placed under the seat or in the overhead
locker. Check with your airline for specific information on luggage
restrictions.
- Airline Security
Remember that airline security is very strict. Make sure that you read
your airline security information and pack your luggage carefully. Avoid
packing items (such as knives, scissors, electrical items, etc.) which
might be confiscated at check in.
Determine your budget for the semester
You (and your parents) will find it helpful if you put together an estimated
budget for your semester. Your fees include tuition and housing, but usually
not meals as most Liberal Arts students opt for self catering accommodation.
Remember to put aside additional money to cover personal expenses, stationery
and some textbooks.
Currency
The currency in the UK is called the Pound Sterling (100 pennies = £1).
Consult your local bank or the Internet for up to date rates of exchange.
Books
While the Academic Resources Centre at St Clare's has substantial holdings
covering all of your courses, you will be required to purchase some essential
course books. For some subjects there will be one textbook, for others
there will be two or three, and for others none at all. The total expenditure
should not exceed $150.
Meals/groceries
You can expect to spend considerably more in the beginning as you adjust
to the currency, take your time to find the good shops, restaurants, etc.
You can eat in cheaply - say for £40 you can buy all your groceries
each week. However, you will probably want to eat out from time to time
and this costs anything from £8-20.
Socialising
This obviously varies from person to person, depending on how frequently
you want to go out. You can expect to pay £6 to go out to a film,
£6-10 to get into a club, £3/£4 for a lunchtime sandwich,
£1.50 for a decent cappuccino.
Travel
A weekend away out of the country will cost on average £300 - though
there are subsidised College trips which will work out much cheaper. London
is just 50 miles from Oxford so you will have very easy access to one
of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe for a return bus fare of just
£9.
You may also wish
to purchase a bus pass for travel throughout the city (students living
at Hampden Manor are automatically provided with one). Unlimited travel
costs about £11.00 per week, with better deals for monthly or three-monthly
passes.
Stationery/photographic
film
While you don't want to load yourself down unnecessarily these items may
be far cheaper overseas. A roll of film costs about £5, a writing
pad about £1.50.
Miscellaneous
Increasingly
students are using mobile phones (cellphones) while in England. They cost
about £50, and there are pay-as-you-go deals where you buy a certain
amount of credit for outgoing calls and incoming calls are free. People
find this a good way to keep in touch with each other and home.
Clothes and CDs are
much more expensive in the UK than overseas. Women's
haircuts cost about £40 in a reasonably good salon, men's haircuts
cost about £10.
We also recommend
that you put a few hundred pounds to one side in case of emergencies,
or for those items you just can't leave behind on a shopping trip.
Health issues
Visit your doctor
You are required to have your doctor complete a medical questionnaire
which we ask that you send to us in advance of your arrival. For your
safety and well being, it is vital that you inform us of any physical,
emotional, or psychological difficulties or special needs you may have.
On the other hand, if you are simply nervous about experiencing a different
culture, do not worry. You are not alone. Call the Liberal Arts office
to talk about your concerns.
Obtain copies of
your prescriptions
You should bring copies of prescriptions for any medications you may need
and for glasses or contact lenses. We recommend that you bring an adequate
supply of whatever you may need while abroad. Any medications you bring
should be in the original, properly labelled containers. It is advisable
to get a letter from your doctor to verify that the medication is for
you and is for a specific condition. This should avoid any difficulties
in Customs when you arrive. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring
an extra pair/lenses in case you damage or lose your original pair.
Health services
Students studying in the UK for longer than 6 months are eligible for
free National Health Service (NHS) treatment. All students receive free
emergency treatment. If you have enrolled on a course for longer than
8 weeks, we will arrange for you to register with a doctor at the Banbury
Road Medical Centre, which is near the Banbury Road campus. The health
centre charges £25.00 for a consultation with a doctor and an additional
£8 if he writes a prescription. If you need medicine the doctor
will give you a prescription which you need to take to a chemist. You
have to pay for the medicines and £6.20 for each prescription.
St. Clare's also has
a nurse who runs a surgery every weekday during the academic year and
the summer months.
If you are from a
country within the European Economic Area (EEA) and studying at St. Clare's
for less than 6 months, you will need to bring the E128 form with you
from your own country. You must produce an E128 form or passport to obtain
medical treatment and to claim back any medical expenses which you have
had to pay whilst you are here.
St. Clare's Travel
Insurance
The Travel Insurance fee is mandatory and covers travel directly to and
from St. Clare's, travel whilst at St Clare's and half term breaks. Travel
to and from St Clare's is limited to 48 hours in each direction. Travel
whilst at St. Clare's includes trips organised by St. Clare's, and those
involving outdoor activity pursuits. Travel at half term breaks is limited
to Europe and a maximum period of 10 days. There is no cover for the Christmas
and Easter breaks other than the journeys to and from St. Clare's. Cover
is provided for medical expenses, rescue, evacuation and repatriation,
cancellation or curtailment, personal accident, personal property and
money, delay abandonment and missed departure and personal liability claims.
For full details of the extent of the cover and the exclusions see the
Certificate of Insurance, the Summary of Cover and the Frequently Asked
Questions document, which are available from the Programme
Office.
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