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Oxford graduate applicants 2009/2010
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Athena
We just don't want you to scare off new applicants with what is (possibly) a slightly different/extreme experience of Oxford, and certainly not what I've experienced in terms of admin, but then I've never been an international student :shrug: I would imagine every other university in the UK would have treated you the same - everyone is paranoid about immigration atm, (I think some of the 7/7 bombers, or other attempted terrorists, got spurious UK academic visas - and while we obviously have home-grown nutters, they are not such easy Daily Mail headline fodder 
) so all universities have to do everything completely by the book and above board (such as, insisting on original documentation...)
) so all universities have to do everything completely by the book and above board (such as, insisting on original documentation...)As I said, I love Oxford and have tried to comment extensively on various issues, as I know best, so that people are best prepared to come here. That said, I won't sugar-coat my experiences because "new applicants might get scared off". I do regret your mentioning international students and terrorists in pretty much the same sentence though...that would scare me off way further than some comment about bureaucratic hassle. Besides, it doesn't really matter why they treat international students the way they do; it matters that we have to face different, even if/when justified, standards and the hassle can be stressful (see the visa thread in the international lounge for living examples). It is far better to introduce/discuss these differences/difficulties in advance so that people are prepared, one way or another, rather than "protect them." Besides, I have emphasized, time and again, that these are my experiences and I thought I could share them here, rather than having to worry about its indirect implications to future applicants. I post here with the best of intentions, but this apparent "censorship" snuck in with the talk of terrorism (which, by the way, was the be-all-end-all excuse for all transgression of rights and dignity in the US during the Bush era) has resulted in my first murky experience in this otherwise amazing website.
University of Oxford
Oxford
What censorship? 
Censorship would be saying "you can't say that" or a mod removing any references to things they don't like - whereas people who haven't had the experience you've had coming forward and saying "I haven't had the experience you have had, so I'm pointing that out", is what goes on on TSR all the time. Not did I say that I personally endorsed and agreed with changes in the visa system (I only know what I read in the newspapers, I'm sure it's all the trouble you say it is) - I'm only saying why, in the public perception/what the press reports about them, they are there.
Censorship would be saying "you can't say that" or a mod removing any references to things they don't like - whereas people who haven't had the experience you've had coming forward and saying "I haven't had the experience you have had, so I'm pointing that out", is what goes on on TSR all the time. Not did I say that I personally endorsed and agreed with changes in the visa system (I only know what I read in the newspapers, I'm sure it's all the trouble you say it is) - I'm only saying why, in the public perception/what the press reports about them, they are there. rmn002
We're all one through complaining I guess.
Yes, amazing what a fault can do
(like when the hot water system in my building broke in winter 
) Anything that means talk is good for mixing!
You call that bureaucratic hassle? Clearly you've never been to Germany... I'm finding UK bureaucracy quite laid-back by comparison, actually (there's one exception, though: I loathe the NHS with a passion). OK, sometimes you need to kick up a bit of a fuss, but at least there's a decent chance that kicking up a fuss will actually achieve something.
I'm finding UK bureaucracy quite laid-back by comparison, actually (there's one exception, though: I loathe the NHS with a passion). OK, sometimes you need to kick up a bit of a fuss, but at least there's a decent chance that kicking up a fuss will actually achieve something.Athena
What censorship? Censorship would be saying "you can't say that" or a mod removing any references to things they don't like - whereas people who haven't had the experience you've had coming forward and saying "I haven't had the experience you have had, so I'm pointing that out", is what goes on on TSR all the time. Not did I say that I personally endorsed and agreed with changes in the visa system (I only know what I read in the newspapers, I'm sure it's all the trouble you say it is) - I'm only saying why, in the public perception/what the press reports about them, they are there.
Censorship would be saying "you can't say that" or a mod removing any references to things they don't like - whereas people who haven't had the experience you've had coming forward and saying "I haven't had the experience you have had, so I'm pointing that out", is what goes on on TSR all the time. Not did I say that I personally endorsed and agreed with changes in the visa system (I only know what I read in the newspapers, I'm sure it's all the trouble you say it is) - I'm only saying why, in the public perception/what the press reports about them, they are there. I was about to include that in my post earlier...I should have.
I said "apparent censorship" with censorship under quotations because while it is not direct censorship, it is coming from "Recombined Supermod, PS Helper, TSR Moderation Team: Supermod" who writes in a different colored ink. Further, you said "We dont..." which I took to mean the moderators/supermods etc...pardon me if I was mistaken in that. We all know what the media says/perception etc, but mentioning international students and terrorism felt like a low blow that was so often used in the US until very recently, regardless of your intentions. Again, if you had just said what you said, I would just agree to disagree with you, but the obvious paternal nature of your post (WE dont want YOU to...) made it sound like a reprimand rather than an argument. Besides, one would expect Oxford applicants to compare our arguments and decide for themselves without needing protection.
Pardon me for being defensive and hence perhaps aggresive; being an Asian in the Western world has led to many unfortunate "incidents" and the whole terrorism thing invoked the same feelings. I do appreciate all the good work you and the other moderators have done on this website; only recently I have benefited extremely from your helpful suggestions and advice about all things Oxford. I maintain, however, that I feel that the administrative bureaucracy at Oxford and England is worse than my undergrad institution and the US.
hobnob
You call that bureaucratic hassle? Clearly you've never been to Germany... I'm finding UK bureaucracy quite laid-back by comparison, actually (there's one exception, though: I loathe the NHS with a passion). OK, sometimes you need to kick up a bit of a fuss, but at least there's a decent chance that kicking up a fuss will actually achieve something.
I'm finding UK bureaucracy quite laid-back by comparison, actually (there's one exception, though: I loathe the NHS with a passion). OK, sometimes you need to kick up a bit of a fuss, but at least there's a decent chance that kicking up a fuss will actually achieve something.haha, thats really interesting because I actually had an amazing experience with NHS the two times I had to deal with them. I took two visiting American students to two different hospitals while there; we had to wait less than 10 minutes and they were treated immediately for free and no one even asked to see an insurance card or anything! We were very amazed with the service, but from what I have been hearing about NHS elsewhere, perhaps I should expect something different when I am there this year.
Further, although I haven't traveled Europe extensively, I did backpack mainland Europe for six week and found the Germans to be the friendliest Europeans I met! They always seemed to go out of their way to help us. I actually tell everyone that when I talk about Europe. Maybe I just keep having the non-traditional experience?
'We' was swiftuk and myself, for reference (and TSR is not out to advertise a particular university, there are just a large number of people modding universities who are Oxbridge alumi/ae). I have always used silly coloured posts, it's just an idiosyncrancy of mine. Most of TSR has no qualms about disagreeing with someone because they are a mod 
so I generally try to make it clear when I'm putting my mod hat on (eg saying DON'T do that it breaks TSR rules!), but I'll take what you said on board and try to be clearer in future...
so I generally try to make it clear when I'm putting my mod hat on (eg saying DON'T do that it breaks TSR rules!), but I'll take what you said on board and try to be clearer in future...Athena
'We' was swiftuk and myself, for reference (and TSR is not out to advertise a particular university, there are just a large number of people modding universities who are Oxbridge alumi/ae). I have always used silly coloured posts, it's just an idiosyncrancy of mine. Most of TSR has no qualms about disagreeing with someone because they are a mod so I generally try to make it clear when I'm putting my mod hat on (eg saying DON'T do that it breaks TSR rules!), but I'll take what you said on board and try to be clearer in future...
so I generally try to make it clear when I'm putting my mod hat on (eg saying DON'T do that it breaks TSR rules!), but I'll take what you said on board and try to be clearer in future...Well, while swiftuk might not have agreed with me, I saw no implication in that post that s/he was concerned about scaring applicants away, which is why I assumed you were referring to the moderators, the mighty We. Further, I can't ever remember having a "disagreement" with anyone on TSR, let alone a moderator, so I didn't exactly know the etiquette in this matter. I guess it was all a misunderstanding anyways, but I did enjoy the discussion. Thanks again for the good work you do here.
Just wanna say I applied and got in (of course) to Oxford to do a DPhil at Worcester College!
Hopefully see some of you guys down there!
Hopefully see some of you guys down there!
Neely O'Hara
Just wanna say I applied and got in (of course) to Oxford to do a DPhil at Worcester College!
Hopefully see some of you guys down there!
Hopefully see some of you guys down there!
What is your subject and dissertation about?
chochu444
haha, thats really interesting because I actually had an amazing experience with NHS the two times I had to deal with them. I took two visiting American students to two different hospitals while there; we had to wait less than 10 minutes and they were treated immediately for free and no one even asked to see an insurance card or anything! We were very amazed with the service, but from what I have been hearing about NHS elsewhere, perhaps I should expect something different when I am there this year.
Wow. Lucky you.
Judging by my dealings with the NHS, I suspect that one of their key strategies is to make people wait so long they either get well by themselves or die... One particular doctor gave me "advice" which would have made me seriously ill had I been foolish enough to follow it (luckily I wasn't).Anyway, I suppose it's a bit hit and miss, but so far I've had only misses.
Further, although I haven't traveled Europe extensively, I did backpack mainland Europe for six week and found the Germans to be the friendliest Europeans I met! They always seemed to go out of their way to help us. I actually tell everyone that when I talk about Europe. Maybe I just keep having the non-traditional experience?
Oh, I didn't say Germans were unfriendly, but anything involving paperwork is usually a bureaucratic nightmare. German administrators tend to be fairly merciless* and will make sure you follow regulations and set procedures to the letter (if you don't, they all but shout at you "thou shalt not pass![noparse]")[/noparse]. If you're unlucky you can spend hours chasing after the right person to put a stamp on a bit of paper. It's all very well-organised in theory, but in reality it's maddening.
*I suppose there are a few nice ones, I've just never met them.
hobnob
Oh, I didn't say Germans were unfriendly, but anything involving paperwork is usually a bureaucratic nightmare. German administrators tend to be fairly merciless* and will make sure you follow regulations and set procedures to the letter (if you don't, they all but shout at you "thou shalt not pass![noparse]")[/noparse]. If you're unlucky you can spend hours chasing after the right person to put a stamp on a bit of paper. It's all very well-organised in theory, but in reality it's maddening.
*I suppose there are a few nice ones, I've just never met them.
*I suppose there are a few nice ones, I've just never met them.
I never ran into this problem when I lived in Austria, declaring your residence with the police was fairly easy and straight forward.
threedaystar
I'll be there! 
Me too! Do you know where international induction will be held? I was looking for the handbbok on their site today, because when I registered I read that it was supposed to be published 3 weeks before the event. Have anyone found it?
Thanks everybody for the advices on sub fusc. I was concerned about pockets since women are not allowed to take handbags.
hobnob
*I suppose there are a few nice ones, I've just never met them.
*I suppose there are a few nice ones, I've just never met them.
I'm a nice German ! But then again - I am a German who has lived in the states for most of her life. I've learned the friendly USA ways...
*Fra*
Me too! Do you know where international induction will be held? I was looking for the handbbok on their site today, because when I registered I read that it was supposed to be published 3 weeks before the event. Have anyone found it
If I get word - I'll post it here. I haven't heard anything yet or seen it on the website...
*Fra*
Me too! Do you know where international induction will be held? I was looking for the handbbok on their site today, because when I registered I read that it was supposed to be published 3 weeks before the event. Have anyone found it?
Thanks everybody for the advices on sub fusc. I was concerned about pockets since women are not allowed to take handbags.
Thanks everybody for the advices on sub fusc. I was concerned about pockets since women are not allowed to take handbags.
I haven't seen the location details either...or any details on the rest of the week's events.
And what is this about no handbags?? Most skirts don't have pockets! I searched the previous posts for those referencing the pocket situation and found none. Could someone point me in the right direction or assure me that at least tiny handbags are allowed? Please?
For the ladies, regarding evening gowns: I'm going to be a one-year MSc student. In the one year that I'll be at the uni, how many formal events should I expect to have / how many gowns are you girls planning on bringing? And are we talking floor length prom-type gowns or to-the-knee-cocktail dresses?
And thanks @Athena for the link about the libraries!
few more weeks, guys: get excited!
WetMyWhistle
how many gowns are you girls planning on bringing? And are we talking floor length prom-type gowns or to-the-knee-cocktail dresses?
And thanks @Athena for the link about the libraries!
few more weeks, guys: get excited!
And thanks @Athena for the link about the libraries!
few more weeks, guys: get excited!
I want to know how many gowns/balls too!
But anyways - I looked at the St. Cross Ball pictures and it seemed many girls were dressed in both types (floor length and cocktail) - so it would seem that at least one of each might not go amiss. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.
rmn002
What is your subject and dissertation about?
It's Earth Sciences; I will be researching how the crust recycles itself in the two syntaxes of the Himalaya (the two ends!) using metamorphic models.
Geology; it rocks
threedaystar
If I get word - I'll post it here. I haven't heard anything yet or seen it on the website...
When is this induction? Did you see the details for this on the website for international students?
WetMyWhistle
For the ladies, regarding evening gowns: I'm going to be a one-year MSc student. In the one year that I'll be at the uni, how many formal events should I expect to have / how many gowns are you girls planning on bringing? And are we talking floor length prom-type gowns or to-the-knee-cocktail dresses?
For the ladies, regarding evening gowns: I'm going to be a one-year MSc student. In the one year that I'll be at the uni, how many formal events should I expect to have / how many gowns are you girls planning on bringing? And are we talking floor length prom-type gowns or to-the-knee-cocktail dresses?
I also want to know about evening gowns! Would it be inappropriate for a woman to wear trousers on such occasions? I mean beautiful trousers with a very elegant top.... Moreover: is there any rule about low necked or too short dresses? It is not my will to dress up like a prostitute but I really don't want to make mistakes.
chochu444
When is this induction? Did you see the details for this on the website for international students?
International induction will be on 30 Sept. I received an email from their office.
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