Oxford: Spring 2025

The English Department at Saddleback College offers a unique and exciting study abroad opportunity, which takes place in the spring. For the duration of the nine-week program, students will be accompanied by a faculty leader, who will live in Oxford with the students and teach the classes offered abroad.

Students must enroll in a minimum of 12 units for the spring semester, including the courses offered through the Oxford program.
In addition to the courses offered, several academic excursions and field trips are included for the price of the program.
Student accommodations are in approved home-stays, including breakfast and dinner.

Located an hour and fifteen minutes west of London and Heathrow Airport, the city of Oxford is known worldwide as the home of the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university is scattered throughout the city center, interspersed among buildings representing every English architectural period since the late Saxon period. Several buildings, including Radcliffe Camera, were designed by the great Sir Christopher Wren. Oxford is known as the "city of dreaming spires." Fans of Harry Potter will recognize this backdrop as the series was often filmed using Oxford and its colleges as prime locations.

Many famous authors have called Oxford their home, including JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Philip Pullman, Thomas Hardy, and Oscar Wilde.

Suki Fisher has taught all levels of composition, creative writing, and literature in her time at Saddleback College. She earned a BA in English with a writing emphasis from the University of San Diego, and both an MA in English literature and MFA in creative writing from Chapman University. This will be Professor Fisher’s ninth time leading the Oxford program, and she is excited to explore with her students the cultural landscape of England.

Suki Fisher

English Composition Instructor

sfisher@saddleback.edu

(949) 582-4939

Office Location

BGS 304

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Academics

Student Eligibility

All majors are welcome! You do not need to be an English major to participate in this program.

Minimum qualifications:

Students should be eligible to take English 1A
Students should illustrate that they can successfully handle a semester of 12 or more college units
Students should have a GPA of 2.0 or higher

Those who qualify for Financial Aid can use it toward the program.

Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 12 units for the spring semester. Of those 12 units, 6 of those units should be through the Oxford program. Classes will take place Monday through Wednesday at Lincoln College, one of the 38 colleges that comprise Oxford University. All classes are taught according to the Saddleback College course outlines. Students who complete these classes earn credit toward their Saddleback degree.

Courses

Shakespeare's Tragedies

ENG 18: Shakespeare's Tragedies: What would a trip to England be without a chance to look deeper into the plays of Shakespeare? Beyond Shakespeare's plays, students can opt to explore The Globe Theater in London with a chance to see one of Shakespeare's plays performed in the same environment experienced by his contemporaries.

Introduction to the Novel

ENG 27A: Introduction to the Novel: Students will read a variety of novels tied to the cities visited throughout the program. An active writer herself, Professor Fisher has designed the course with the understanding that all writers, and by extension the novels they write, are shaped by the environment in which they live. Students will have the chance to walk the same streets as the characters whom they've studied.

NOTE: Students may take 27A for Honors credit.

Additional Courses

Beyond the 6 units offered through the program, students can enroll in any online classes they choose to complete those 12 units. Students may also enroll in any first 8-week courses needed but need to enroll in at least 1 more online full semester course.

Life Abroad

Student Housing

All students will stay in locally-approved homestays, which are run by Oxford families. Students will be provided with breakfast and dinner, their own room, and weekly laundry. In addition, each homestay will have Wi-Fi access and will be located within a 40 minute bus ride to the Oxford city center and in safe residential areas.

Itinerary, Excursions, and Activities

Three field trips are included for the price of the program:

A day trip into London
A day trip to Stratford upon Avon and Warwick Castle
A day trip to Bath and Stonehenge

London

Day trip into London with a walking tour of the city, including a visit to the Tower of London. The day will end with a chance to see a performance in the West End.

Bath

Founded by the Romans, the city of Bath is known for its mineral springs, which were believed to have curative properties. Home to Jane Austen and the site of Chaucer's "Tale of the Wife of Bath," Bath today still reflects an era when "courting" occurred in the assembly halls, the servants worked downstairs, and a belief that "taking to the Bath" would cure all that ails you.

Stonehenge

Perhaps the world’s most famous prehistoric monument, Stonehenge was built in several stages: the first monument was an early henge monument, built about 5,000 years ago, and the unique stone circle was erected in the late Neolithic period about 2500 BC. While theories abound related to the true purpose of the structure, scientists have never landed on a conclusive answer.

Stratford Upon Avon

This day trip includes entrances to Warwick Castle with a professional guide, Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guild Hall, Shakespeare’s birthplace, and an evening theatre performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford.

Warwick Castle

In his day, the Earl of Warwick was known as the "kingmaker" as he often determined the next heir to the throne of England. This real life castle offers up rustic charm while also providing a window into the royals of the past.

York (Optional)

For the price of $645, students can add the optional excursion to the city of York.

The city of York was first settled by the Romans before it became the home of the Vikings in the 700s CE. It is the site of York Minster, an immense cathedral that is known for its intricate stained glass windows. Walking through the medieval streets, you will get the chance to connect with the history and architecture of a forgotten time. The ghost stories are real!

In addition to visiting York, you will also have the chance to visit Castle Howard, an example of the landed estates where the nobility once reigned--as immortalized by Evelyn Waugh in Brideshead Revisited. More recently, Castle Howard was featured as the Duke's home in Bridgerton.

Three day/two night trip to York includes:

accommodations in twin or triple rooms in a guest house in York on a bed-and-breakfast basis
round-trip transfer between Oxford and York
a ghost tour of York
entrance to York Minster
day excursion to Castle Howard

Cost and Funding

Program Cost

Program Price: $7945 (for 20-24 students)

Broken down, the cost of the program is less than $123 a day! Most study abroad programs of this length, especially at the university level, will cost thousands of dollars more. Considering all that the program includes, it really is the most cost-effective approach to studying and living in the United Kingdom.

Price Includes:

Homestay housing
Listed field trips/ guides
Two theater visits
Guided tour of Oxford
Medical insurance policy
AIFS Emergency Service
Services of a local coordinator
Classroom in Lincoln College
- Does NOT include Flight
- Does NOT include Tuition at Saddleback or textbook fees

Optional Flight Package: TBD

This truly is a trip that will shape your perception of yourself and your place in the world. If you are interested in the program but unable to easily meet the price, you may want to consider other financing options. Past students who have participated in the program have received financial help through small bank loans, the support of friends and family, or the selling of personal possessions (often their cars). Others have saved money for a year in anticipation of the next program and have relied on frequent flyer miles.

Scholarships and Funding

Our vendor, AIFS, recently recorded a Zoom session that explores scholarship options along with creative ways to fund your study abroad experience. Students who are eligible for Financial Aid may also use that toward the funding of this program.

View the AIFS Funding Video

How to Apply

STEP 1

Attend Information Session

July Session
- Monday, July 29, 2024, from 5 - 6:30 p.m.
- Location: LRC 314
August Session
- Wednesday, August 28, 2024, from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
- Location: LRC 118
September Session
- Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 5 - 6:30 p.m.
- Location: LRC 314
October Session
- Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 5 - 6:30 p.m.
- Location: LRC 314
November Session
- Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 5 - 6:30 p.m.
- Location: LRC 314