By Raven Lirio
Copy Editor
Living abroad in the United Kingdom for the last few months, I’ve come to realize that despite no language barrier, the American and British cultures have much differences than expected. More than fish and chips and extra letters in words, Oxford culture in particular provides a completely different lifestyle for university students compared to Pacific Lutheran University. Here are 10 traditions about Oxford that provide a whole new university experience abroad.
Tutorials
In addition to regular lectures, student in Oxford have one-on-one sessions with tutors in their subject. Students will be assigned a list of reading material for the week and are expected to write a formal argumentative essay on a provided essay topic. While it varies per subject, most essays are around 1500 to 2000 words. You meet with your tutor once a week to go over the reading and your essay. This is to prepare you for the most dreaded part of being an Oxford student- exams.
Exams
Did someone say test? Unlike American schools, Oxford does not have exams and tests throughout a semester. Instead, students prepare for prelims which prepare them for the huge final exam at the end of their third year. Going into an exam, students are required to where full black-tie dress code plus a traditional Oxford robe- which can be quite hot to take all your exams in!
Students are also required to wear a different colored carnation flower depending on the day of the exam. Students write four back to back essays over the course of three to four hours, but the exact time depends on the subject. The biggest exams are in third year which are called finals. These exams actually count towards their final grade. Students in their third year are called finalists.
Trashing
After finishing exams, many students participate in trashing- which is exactly what it sounds like. To celebrate the end of exams, students are covered with champagne, shaving cream, confetti, and more after leaving the exam room. Quite a mess but after sitting in a room writing for hours, it’s worth celebrating in the end.
Professor?
I think not! In Oxford, and in fact most of the UK, the term professor means a lot more than in the states. The word professor is only used for those who have the most senior status in a university and have the highest academic grade. While many tutors carry a doctorate, this does not equate being a professor so it’s not a word to be taken lightly!
Formals and Balls
Colleges in Oxford host formal dinners events. These normally mark special events like halfway through term or Christmas. Students have to buy tickets ahead of time to attend. During formal, students cannot sit down until the fellows arrive. Fellows are senior academic and administrative members of a college.
A bell is wrung and every is silent while the fellows come in and take their seats. After that, students may be allowed to sit. The same process follows at the end when the fellows leave. In addition to formals, colleges hosts balls which are a very big affair. A step up from prom, balls are a night full of dancing, music and good wine. Students dress up in their best eveningwear and enjoy the festivities of the night. In addition to a fancy dinner, there is often a photo booth and sometimes carnival games like bumper cars. Tickets are pricey but definitely worth the experience.
Senior year?
Rather than four years of undergraduate study, most students in the UK attend university for three years. The system in the UK is dramatically different than the US where middle school does not actually exist. Students attend primary school, which is equivalent to elementary school for US students, and then go straight into secondary school. As opposed to high school, secondary school students range from ages 11 to 16 before they graduate with GCSEs which is the equivalent of a US high school diploma. Most students seeking higher education then attend a college or sixth form school until 18 which are called A-levels. From there, students can apply into a university.
Vacations?
Give me a break! While American schools get breaks for around 1 week, university students in the UK receive extremely long holidays. School as a whole run longer for students but instead of short one-week breaks, students are off for longer periods of time. In Oxford specifically, vacations are normally around 6 weeks long in between terms, giving ample time to relax after a hard term.
Who said parties are for weekends?
Due to the weird tutorial times and lecture schedules, students in Oxford have a lot more free time than American students. Rather than classes every day for five days a week, students will have usually one or two tutorials a week with some lectures depending on the subject. Since students are more available, most students go out to drink or go clubbing on weekdays, namely Wednesdays and Thursdays as opposed to the traditional weekend in America.
College families
In Oxford, there exists a tradition called college families. Freshers, known as first years to us, are assigned to two college parents and a sibling. Parents act as a mentor to students with each parent coming from a different department. Siblings are also from different departments but at least one parent will correspond to each. For example, if a law student and a history student are college siblings, one college parent will also be in law and the other in history. This support network helps to provide additional support to incoming students.
Pre-what?
Pre-professional programs in Oxford. In contrast to the states, Oxford does not offer pre-professional programs like pre-med or pre-law. Instead, students are considered full students in their field. Rather than completing pre-requisites to apply to a professional school, students start from their first year to completing their degree.
There are various other parts of Oxford that differ from the States that are not included on this list. Being abroad for the last few months, it’s been an absolute blast getting to know Oxford culture and immersing myself in the Oxford experience.
No matter what program, studying away offers a chance to experience other cultures and learn how the lives of students may be different than what we are used to in America.
While I’ll still be here until June, I know I will miss the chance to see the Radcliffe Camera on my way to tutorials, the friends I’ve made a long the way and the life-changing chance to be attending such a prestigious university though PLU.
