Will I be able to travel while I’m on the programme?

Many students take the opportunity to travel in Britain and the rest of Europe, and SSO encourages all students to make the most of their time in this way:  but you should not make arrangements for travel during the semester before you arrive.  Once in Oxford you will have your detailed timetable and can judge how hard you are going to have to study, and how your finances will work out:  then you can make your travel plans.  You should not expect to have many  weekends free for travel:  there are no SSO academic events as a rule, but most students study on the weekend to get through the work expected.  There is a break of a few days on each semester:  in the autumn semester it falls around the beginning of October and in the spring semester around Easter and/or in March.  Living expenses are higher in Europe than in the US and there are always many students who can’t afford to travel as much as they would like so you will not feel uncomfortable if you are on a tight budget.

Oxford is well placed with train and bus connections for visits to most places in the UK and to major airports for longer distance travel.

Field trips in Oxford and beyond are organized by SSO in September and March/April.