Each day is a balance of classes, activities, and free time guided by the principle that students always have something interesting to do. At various points in the day, students can choose to join a field trip or activity, play sports, or use free time for independent study, relaxation, or adventure. Staff are available onsite to provide a variety of activities outside of class time and residential faculty are available at all times when required. Students are free to explore the college and surrounding town in small groups without adult supervision during the day, but staff are available at all times to accompany student groups and help ensure that Cambridge and Oxford are welcoming, safe, and accessible.

A typical day of a student:

8:00 - 8:30 Breakfast in college.

9:00 - 12:30 Major Class (announcements are also made about daily activities and program notices).

12:30 - 2:00 Lunch (options include sandwiches in the marketplace, picnics along the river, or fast-food restaurants).

2:00 - 4:00 Minor Class (three days per week).

4:00 - 6:00 Sports, optional activities, and free time.

6:00 Dinner in college

Evenings A varying program of films, plays, concerts, and guest speakers with plenty of opportunities for socializing and spending time with new friends.

10:00 - 11:00 Check-in at college

Midnight All students in their own rooms, quiet.

Note: Sundays are more leisurely, with time for outings, rest, and relaxation.

Staff and Supervision

The Cambridge Tradition and The Oxford Tradition both have central offices open daily from breakfast until midnight where students can seek advice and answers to their questions. The Program Director and residential staff members live in the same residence as the students, ensuring availability and care around the clock. In addition, the college gates are manned by a staff of College Porters who are on duty 24 hours-a-day and always available in case of emergency.

Accommodation

Our students and faculty live in the same rooms and in the same style as Cambridge and Oxford undergraduates. While historic buildings bring ambiance and tradition, they may also mean adapting to a different style of living. Each student resides in a single or double room, either on a traditional ‘staircase’ or on an American-style dormitory corridor. Private bathroom or ‘en-suite facilities’ can be requested for a fee on the application form. Standard rooms share a common bathroom, and most college facilities have been recently updated to include several modern shower rooms per floor. Each room is furnished with a bed with linens, a dresser or wardrobe, and a desk and chair. Every day, a college employee, called a ‘bedder’ in Cambridge or a ‘scout’ in Oxford, tidies the student’s room and makes the bed.

Meals

Students enjoy a buffet-style breakfast and dinner in a centuries’ old dining hall. Breakfast is primarily ‘continental style’ with choices such as cereal, yogurt, fruit, toast, coffee, and tea. Once a week, students can sign up for a hot English ‘cooked breakfast’. Several entrée options are available at dinner, including vegetarian, and a salad bar. Throughout the month various special dinners are held including barbeques, a carvery, and curry tasting. Students are responsible for their own lunches that can be purchased at our college snack bar or at the various sandwich shops, small restaurants, and coffeehouses near each college.

College Facilities

Beyond the classrooms and dining hall, students have use of a Common Room for socializing and watching television or videos. There are onsite public telephones and message boards. Students collect their mail daily from the Common Room.

Curfew

All students must check in at the college gate with a member of our staff between 10 and 11 PM. Within the college, students are free to make use of the Common Room, watch movies, or socialize quietly with their friends. At midnight all students are expected to be in their own rooms and quiet.

General Behavior

For obvious reasons, students are expected to maintain a standard of behavior commensurate with life in a residential college that they share with Cambridge and Oxford faculty and staff. Excessive noise, abuse of property or facilities or other anti-social behavior is strictly forbidden. Smoking is not allowed. Our faculty and staff members in residence take responsibility for maintaining standards of order and decorum in addition to their roles as teachers and advisors.   

Zero-Tolerance Policy

Students accepted into our program must sign an agreement not to purchase, possess or consume alcohol or drugs or associate with any student who does. Any student found in violation of this policy will be immediately expelled and sent home at the family’s expense.