Oxford-July 21

And last but not least is our visit to historic Oxford. Home to CS Lewis, TRR Tolkein among others. Enroute to Oxford to stoped at Salisbury Cathedral and Stonehenge. I'm so glad we were able to fit this in our busy schedule!  Stonehenge really is in the middle of no where!

We began with a visit to the Exam School and meeting with the international student services adviser, a student leader from the Union and the director of careers service. Internships are a newer component to University life. Because UK programs are 3 years, many complete internships post-graduation. They shared that many employers are asking for my leadership, group and team work skills, that are not commonly found in the Oxford curriculum. The careers service office is now coordinating with alumni, some of the intership experiences for students.

The college system found at Cambridge and Oxford is quite unique to the UK. Students learn much independently and tutorials make up the bulk of teaching and learning. Students are encouraged to get involved, but not to the extent that these experiences assist in their learning.  I wonder when fees increase and more personal investment is made personally by students, if the curriculum will be begin to reflect needs in the marketplace.

While not a type of institution I would like to work, I really appreciated the architecture, the vibrancy of the city. It truly felt like a city that embraces the University and the many wonderful nuances found within.

I loved Exeter College and the Christ Church dining hall. The dining hall has college specific china and beer. Yes, this was the dining room used to film Harry Potter.

Birthday in Bath-July 19

It's my birthday...and we have a back to back visit today!

Our visit today -University of Bath. Our first campus that has a secluded, one-way in, one-way out type campus.  How beautiful...lots of greenery, and field space. We were immediately greeted by 10 staff members from the student services division.  Our conversations went from study abroad and the new UK fee structure to support services for mental health and counseling.  What a fantastic visit! It was great to see that issues that affect US students are also some challenges for UK students.  I was most impressed with the progress and increased support and education there is around mental health support. Most significant was the education and awareness provided for faculty and staff as first responders.  I look forward to researching this information more and sharing this with my colleagues on campus. My running list of ideas/questions/new initiatives from all of these visits has filled 3 pages. I hope my campus allies share my enthusiasm for these ideas!  Additionally, I've decided to change my paper topic to comparing mental health/counseling support services for students. I've been so intrigued by the varying levels of support in the UK that I think a comparative look at legislation and culture will be intersting in the evaluation .

On my short list of UK "must do's", one had to be to the Jane Austen Museum in Bath. A sucker for all things cheesy, this museum did not disappoint. It was quite small, but it was so adorable! I needed to get a Mr. Darcy bookmark and had a great laugh going through the BBC film memorabilia and the many books and movies that are somewhat related to Jane Austen and her work.

My birthday finished with a fantastic Italian dinner and drinks at a local pub!  What a wonderful thus far!(insert pictures later)

Kingston-July 18

Our next visit was to a London campus. Kingston University, just on the outskirts of London represented a multi-campus.  I was probably most impressed with the meeting with two faculty and discussing the support systems and the engaging opportunities for students.  This led to a more encompassing dialogue with members of the accommodations, student union, counseling and disability services.  Not uncommon to UK institutions, was a recognized support for students with disabilities. A similar ADA type bill was passed a few years earlier, so more attention has recently been paid to that area. The opportunity to chat one on one with the deputy director and others are the reasons why this trip is so valuable. I learned a great deal about the institutions goals and aspirations for the future, strategic planning programs and restructuring that will impact the delivery of services. Our early day was not over. We spent the end of the day traveling to Bath in preparation for our visit tomorrow.

While we have seen some very different campuses , for the most part, student issues are similar. How they are supported on each campus is different. As in the States, organization strucuture and mission drive how institutions function and evaluate student services.

Last day in -July 17

All of the running around was catching up to me when I realized at 9am that I forgot to turn my alarm on!  So after a lazy morning, I ventured out to do some shopping!  First stop, Harrods!  It was everything I remembered from my last visit...CRAZY! There were people everywhere and it's quite claustrophobic!  I walked through the Food Hall and realized I had enough. I got my tea and ventured, to find guess what TORRENTIAL rain (anyone detecting a pattern?).  Back on the train, I decided to visit Selfridges. This visit to the Food Hall, I stopped and had some Salted Beef on rye with English mustard. The English do do mustard good!  It was quite filling.  I was able to visit the Jo Malone counter(favorite perfume shop)

The entire group was ending our time in London will a touristy visit, I was say not my favorite of these trip group experiences, none other than the Medieval Banquet. I only think that American tourists were there. I didn't see any English.  There was a family from CT was across from us...a nice reminder of how small the world is.  And at the end, the meal was OK and it was great spending some quiet time with my classmates.  tomorrow was an early day as we ventured to our next campus visit!

I really enjoyed London and planned to spend my last day on this trip back in London to try to sneak in one more show!  The weather wasn't going to deter any of us, and we made the best of what was presented!

Rain, rain, go away! Take 2 or just the London version or

July 16
After a late night "taking in the city" Caitlin and I got up early to venture for day of West End play tickets. I was really looking forward to seeing Pgymalion, staring Rupert Everett. The line for TKTS (discount, day of tickets) opens at 9am and we got there just before 9am. The line was already 50 people deep. We both kept our fingers crossed.  Our vigelance paid off.....not only did we get tickets, but we got 10 rows back!

With tickets in hand, we walked through Trafalgar square to head to Westminster to meet some of our other classmates. And that's when the rained came....and it poured some more.  This was soaked through your jeans, soaked to the bones wet!  It was at that point that seeing the city via the double decker bus seemed like a much more relaxing (and dry) idea!  I was able to see the London Eye, Parliament, Tower of London. And guess what the rain stopped!  I used this opportunity to walk some more. So I got off walked through Regent's Park. We didn't have much time before meeting for dinner and heading back to the West End for the show!!!

Not only was Pygmalion everything I had hoped...we stayed around the back of the house entrance and were able to meet some of the cast! I was able to meet Rupert Everett, and Kara Toinen who played Eliza Doolittle.  After meeting another classmate for some drinks, we called it night. But not before we ran into a hen party on the tube!  The rain wasn't going to ruin this day!

London or Bust

July 15

The ride from Sheffield to London took about 3.5 hours.  And as a group we wasted no time getting out in London!  Armed with 3 day Tube passes we participated in a wonderful afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason near Picadilly. It was a decadent experience, and our service was fantastic!

Will a quick change, we headed out again on the Tube toward participated in the Jack the Ripper Tour. While I did this back in 2004, it was still a great way to see parts of the city and hear the many versions/theories, etc on who Jack the Ripper was and what his motives were.

The evening did not end there as a pub or two, close to the hotel harbored us for the rest of the evening. With one week already over, and one to go, we used this time to get to know each other.  

We are all really looking forward to the days off in London.   

Next Stop: Sheffield (7/14)

As the trip continues, it was quite helpful to remember that like in the US, there are varying types of institutions. From the historic and college system of Cambridge, to the large research institution Sheffield the services for students contrast greatly.

The leadership at Sheffield shared a significant focus on assessment and strategic planning. Their planning and integration with staff is pervasive. I was also quite impressed with the level of support documentation available for both students and staff available on the website. It was also quite evident that staff are

The highlight of student leadership for me had to the visit and discussion revolving around the Student Union. It was quite informative to learn about the completely student driven Union operation.  

Our day ended with dinner at the hotel with 3 members of our host institution. It was great to continue our conversation and learn more about the environment of Sheffield for staff and administrators. Sheffield appears to be a support and educationally purposeful institution. The attention and support services available for students is quite robust. I left Sheffield feeling that the University cares about students and are actively engaging them along with their fellow staff to help their personal development.