Frequently Asked Questions and other Practical Details
Transportation Details
For further details on transportation to the UK please click to see our page with details on airports and transfers.
Q -
What times should I book my flights for?
A - We recommend you book your outgoing flight to arrive in London by 12:00 on Sunday 29th June. For your return flight, most flights to the US depart in the morning so you may have to leave early and miss breakfast. If you do stay for breakfast on the final morning (Saturday 5th July), we recommend that you book a flight leaving no earlier than 15:00 to allow sufficient time for travel and check-in.
If you are already in the UK, please click to see our page with details on rail and buses.
Q - Do I need a passport to get into England (U.K.)?
A - Yes, if you are travelling to the Summer School from a country outside of the UK, you must have a valid passport to enter the country. If you do not have a passport already we strongly recommend that you start the application process well before your planned trip. If you are a US citizen, important information about obtaining a passport can be found by clicking here.
Q - I have a valid passport, but do I need a visa to get into England?
A - If you are an American, Canadian or European Union citizen you do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom (unless you are staying for longer than six months or plan to work here). If you are a citizen of another country you might need a visa. For further information about which nationalities require visas please click here.
About the Accommodation
The Summer School is intended to be a residential week, however those opting to stay elsewhere are welcome to make alternative arrangements, please click to see details and recommendations on Oxford Hotels.
Q -
Where will I be lodging?
A -
If you make a standard reservation you will be accommodated in the standard single rooms of Oriel College. Private shower rooms are available at the additional cost of £100, but you must select this when registering.
Q -
When can I arrive?
A -Your bedroom will not be available before 14:00 on the day of arrival – Sunday 29th June. The first session on Sunday 29th will start at 17:00 so please try to arrive at Oriel in good time for this session (preferably by 16:00).
Q -
Can I share a room with someone?
A -We do have some rooms available that accommodate two people. However, these are reserved for married couples only (for whom there is a special married couple rate). Due to the limited number of these rooms, we are only able to make them available to married couples.
Q -
Are there any age restrictions? Can my baby/child stay in my room?
A - Due to Oriel College restrictions, we are not able to accept reservations from anyone under the age of 18 years old. Therefore, babies and children are not allowed to stay in the College rooms.
Q -
What will the bedrooms be like?
A -The bedrooms are comfortable, clean and adequately equipped. They are student rooms as opposed to hotel rooms. Linen, towels and soap are provided as standard, as are coffee and tea making facilities. Please note that if you use a hairdryer, you will need to bring this with you (along with the necessary voltage adapter for the UK). Please also remember to bring an alarm clock.
Q -
Is there air conditioning?
A -
There is NOT any air conditioning in the bedrooms or Dining Hall. If the weather is hot, we do have a very limited number of fans which can be borrowed for the week. These are available on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.
Q -
Are the rooms easily accessible?
A -
Some rooms are easier to access than others, and a number of bedrooms are located up more than one flight of stairs. If you have any special mobility requirements please inform us when you register and we will do all we can to accommodate your needs.
Q -
Will there be telephone access in the bedroom or are there cellular towers for phone access?
A -Many rooms are equipped with a telephone that can be operated on purchase of a card from the Porter’s Lodge. You will be able to reach most cellular networks in the UK, but only if your cellphone has been internationally (GSM) enabled.
Q -
Is there internet connection or TELNET for use in the dorm or accessible while at Oriel College?
A - Oriel College's internet feed is supplied as part of the UK's "Joint Academic Network" called JANET. There are restrictions in place allowing only academic and educational purposes access to the internet using the JANET and in the case of Oriel they have restricted this to academics. Our conference falls outside of the acceptable JANET categories interpreted by Oriel College. Therefore, there is no internet connectivity on the college premises. However, the location of the college is in the town centre, where you will find several internet cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots.
Q -
Do we need an electrical adapter and what size?
A -
You will need a UK 3 pronged voltage adapter for ALL electrical appliances (excluding laptop chargers that are less than 2 years old, modern chargers auto-convert between 100 and 240 volts range). It is very important to note that the electricity supply in England is different to that in USA. You must make sure that the adapter you buy is able to convert from the British 240 volts to the US 110 volts. Please be aware that if your adapter is not capable of converting voltages then this can cause a fire and/or destroy your equipment. This is particularly important to note if you intend to use hairdryers, heated hair tongs, or kettles.
Q -
Will there be room service?
A -There is no room service available as it is an Oxford University College, rather than a hotel. If you would like food outside of meal and refreshment times there are shops, cafes and restaurants in the centre of Oxford, just two minutes walk from Oriel.
Q -
Will there be access to a refrigerator, microwave, etc?
A -No. Bedrooms are not equipped with fridges, etc. In some cases, however, students may have left a fridge in their room, in which case you are welcome to use it. We are not able to move fridges from one room to another.
Q -
Is there an exercise room for weights or pool?
A -There is no gym or pool available for use by Summer School participants. While Oriel College does have a gym, for health and safety reasons it cannot be used by conference guests.
Q -
If I select the non-residential option, can you reserve my hotel room for me?
A - We are unable to make hotel reservations. If you are planning to stay in a hotel we strongly recommend that you book your places well in advance (as Oxford hotels are extremely busy during the summer months). If you would like a list of recommended Oxford hotels please click here .
Q -
Is there somewhere on campus to wash clothes?
A -If you need to do any laundry, there are coin operated washing machines and tumble dryers within the college (£1 per wash and 20p per 12 minute tumble dry). We will make sure there is washing powder available for your use, but you need to make sure you have the correct coins.
Q - What is the emergency contact number on campus? And what hours will this phone/desk be available?
A -
The Porter’s Lodge is manned 24 hours: +44 (0)1865 276555. You will be able to leave a message at the Lodge or ring through to a specific bedroom (bedrooms have a phone extension which will be apparent on arrival).
Q -
What time do we leave on Saturday 5th July?
A -The last timetabled session is on the Friday evening (4th). You will be required to vacate your room by 10:00 on the day of departure – Saturday 5th.
Q - I would like to stay in Oxford longer than the Summer School. Can I stay at Oriel College?
A - It may be possible for you to stay additional nights in Oriel College, if requested well in advance. However, there is no guarantee a room will be available. Any requests for extensions must be sent in writing by email and must be received by 1 May 2008 . The charge will be £75.00 per person per night for a room with private shower, or £58.00 per person per night for a standard single room. This price does not include any meals. On confirmation of the room availability, charges must be paid directly to RZIM Zacharias Trust in addition to the Summer School fee.
Programme & Lecture Sessions
Q - Where will the lectures be held?
A - The lectures will be held in two main locations: 1) Oriel College’s modern purpose-built lecture theatre and seminar room; 2) St Aldate’s Church, Oxford.
Q - Will we be given session notes?
A - On arriving, you will receive a folder containing useful information about your stay, along with a map of Oxford, notepaper to write on and a pen. Notes will be given out at the end of each session, but everyone is encouraged to take their own notes as part of the leaning process.
Q - Is there a photo and/or tape recording policy?
A - We will be recording the talks in order to be made available online for free to all participants. We request that you do not record the sessions yourself, whether on video or audio. There is no policy on photography, however we ask that participants are sensitive in the teaching sessions and limit their photo taking during these.
Q - Is there childcare available during the sessions?
A - Unfortunately, we are not able to provide any childcare at all during the week.
Q - Do I have to be at a certain academic standard to be able to attend the Oxford Summer School?
A - No, anyone is welcome to attend the Oxford Summer School, as long as they are at least 18 years old. Some of the topics covered are more academic than others, but the course is intended to be suitable for anyone who is interested in the subject material.
Q - Do I need to do any reading in preparation for the Summer School?
A - No, there is absolutely no need to do any research before attending the Oxford Summer School. However, if you would like to, you are more than welcome to read up on the topics before coming. Many of the speakers are published authors and their books are available at all major bookstores (they will also be available for sale during the summer school)
Q - Can I gain credit for an academic course by attending the Oxford Summer School?
A - No. While the majority of the speakers at the Oxford Summer School do regularly lecture at universities, the Summer School itself is not accredited by any academic institution.
Q - Can I plug my laptop computer into an electricity supply during the talks?
A - No, most of the venues do not have easily accessible plug sockets and, therefore, if you wish to take notes with your laptop you need to charge your battery up prior to attending the lectures.
Meals
All meals (except supper on 2nd and 4th July) will be held in the impressive Dining Hall of Oriel College. Special dietary requirements can be catered for if they are declared in advance.
Q - Will meals be offered cafeteria, buffet or "a la carte" style?
A - Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style. Supper is served by waiters and the menu is set.
Q -
What if I have special dietary requirements?
A - Special dietary requirements can be catered for if, and only if, we are informed in advance. Please make sure you include any relevant details when registering.
Q -
If I am a non-residential participant, can I still take all my meals in Oriel College?
A - Lunch and Dinner will be provided for you in the Dining Hall of Oriel College. However, breakfast is not. You will need to make sure you have breakfast at your hotel or lodging before coming for the morning worship time.
Dress Code
Q - Is there a dress code for the week?
A - There is no dress code. As British weather is very changeable, and the rooms have neither heating nor air conditioning, we would recommend you bring clothes suitable for all weather conditions. In particular, we would suggest you bring a waterproof and/or umbrella, and a pair of comfortable walking shoes (the best way to get around Oxford is by foot).
Oxford Tours
Q - Do we have to pay extra for the tour or events noted on the programme?
A -
No, the tour and the events on 2nd and 4th July are all included in the total cost of the Summer School.
Q -
Will you offer a specific C.S. Lewis tour?
A -
We have organized an Oxford Tour for the Tuesday of the Summer School. But, though the guides will show you some locations of interest in relation to C.S. Lewis, the tour will be mostly general. For those who would like a specific C.S. Lewis tour, we recommend contacting a tour agency directly: Oxford Guides or alternatively Oxford On Foot.
Q -
Can you arrange for me to visit the home of C.S. Lewis (The Kilns)?
A - No, we are unable to arrange visits on behalf of individuals. Please click for information on how you might be able to arrange a visit in advance.
General FAQs
Q - Who is RZIM Zacharias Trust?
A - RZIM Zacharias Trust is the European office of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. The office is based in Oxford, England, UK.
Q - Are there any age limitations?
A - Due to Oriel College restrictions, we are not able to accept reservations from anyone under the age of 18 years old.
Q - What is the weather like in England in July?
A - It is very unpredictable! The weather in England can be very changeable – for example, during the 2005 Summer School temperatures were low; the following year there was a heat wave; and in 2007 we had quite a lot of rain! Therefore, we recommend you come prepared for cold and hot temperatures as well as wet weather too. As a rough comparison/guide, July temperatures tend to be slightly cooler than, for example, Boston or Seattle.
Q - What is the currency in the UK?
A - In the UK the currency is pound sterling (£). Unless you in the airport, you will not be able to use your US dollars or Euros (although you can change your money at the airport or at certain banks in Oxford during business hours).