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Study abroad in Oxford, England

Study abroad in Oxford, England

June 29 – July 6, 2024 (at capacity)

A unique one-week, study tour retracing the life and work of C.S. Lewis.

Application Deadline January 1, 2024.

Are you ready to follow in the footsteps of one of Christianity’s best known and most celebrated writers? The School of Communication & the Arts’ (SCA) summer study program in Oxford, England gives you the opportunity to join professors Dr. Bill Brown and Dr. Michael Elam for a unique one-week study tour, retracing the life and work of C.S. Lewis, one of the greatest contemporary authors of the Christian faith. This (3) credit class, examines the life and work of C. S. Lewis as it relates to our understanding of communication theory and practice. The class will give special attention to Lewis’ contributions to the study of reason, myth and imagination by examining his writings and by exploring the city of Oxford and the people who contributed to his work to better understand why he continues to be so popular and influential among both scholars and practitioners.

Attendees will visit historic sites and landmarks such as:

  • The Kilns, C.S. Lewis home
  • Magdalen College
  • Merton College
  • Bodleian Library
  • University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
  • Christ Church
  • Headington Church and Cemetery
  • Blackwell’s Bookshop
  • Holy Trinity Church
  • St. Cross Cemetery

The trip is being offered to all Regent students; however, it may also be taken without the course work by family members and friends interested in the cultural experience if space is available. Students taking the course for credit have priority in the application submission.

The Oxford Program Fee is a total of $2100. The nonrefundable $1000 deposit will be applied toward the $2100. The $2100 is nonrefundable for any reason other than if the class is canceled.

For Credit: If you are taking this class for credit, the $1000 deposit will be applied to your student account. The remaining balance of $1100 will be applied to your student account also. If you have federal aid to cover your full student account balance, you do not need to do anything.

Please refer to the Financial Aid Calendar for federal aid disbursement dates. If you DO NOT have federal aid to cover your balance in full, you must either: Pay in full OR enroll in the Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) by the Semester Check-In deadline. Failure could put your registration in jeopardy of being dropped for nonpayment. Both payments and enrollment in Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) can be done in your Genysis accounts under the Bill + Payment Center Tab.

For Non-Credit: If you are taking this class for non-credit, you must pay the $1000 deposit online by January 1, 2024. The remaining amount of $1100 must be paid online by March 1, 2024.

What is included?

  • Sharing a double room at Royal Oxford Hotel
  • Daily breakfast while in Oxford
  • Two meals and an afternoon tea
  • Tours of various sites
  • Guests speakers
  • Classroom rental
  • Transportation to Kilns
  • Required medical/travel insurance

Above stated price does NOT include:

  • Airfare to and from London
  • Bus fare to and from London airport to Oxford
  • Additional meals at Oxford or during travel
  • Books
  • Cancellation Insurance (optional)
  • Tuition and fees. All Regent graduate/doctoral students must pay SCA tuition and fees. Please check with the Business Office. Undergraduate students will pay their normal tuition and fees.

Attendees are responsible for making their own flight arrangements and it is not included in the Oxford Program Fee.

We ask that attendees not purchase airline tickets until you are contacted with confirmation that the class makes, which should be in the middle of March.

Attendees will stay at the Royal Oxford Hotel which is ideally located just a two minute walk from the heart of Oxford city centre, and within walking distance of the railway and bus stations. The hotel is comprised of three stories but does not have an elevator. There are no bedrooms on the ground floor.

Attendees will share a room. Single rooms might be available upon request for an additional cost of $900. Please contact the Oxford Program Manager at mackerman@regent.edu for details.

If you haven’t already ordered your passport, do it ASAP! You will not be able to travel without it. You can apply for a passport online or at a number of local agencies including the US Post Office. A VISA is not necessary. To find out more passport information or apply online visit the U.S. Department of State passport webpage. As a general rule, passports must be valid at least six (6) months beyond the date the traveler will exit the United States. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.

Scholarships pay toward tuition only and do not apply to university fees, SCA fees, or the Oxford Program Fee. Additionally, scholarships offered exclusively through Regent schools other than the School of Communication & the Arts do not apply toward the School of Communication & the Arts tuition charges for this experience. Students may enroll in the Tuition Installment Plan(TIP) if they are paying out of pocket to cover this fee.

The GI Bill covers tuition, university fees and SCA school fees but NOT the Oxford Program Fee. Please contact your Military Benefits Manager for details. Students may enroll in the Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) if they are paying out of pocket to cover this fee.

This program can be rigorous, and some of the events may require demanding physical activities. Therefore, participants should possess the ability to:

  1. Walk between three to twelve miles each day on cobblestone sidewalks and dirt paths through an open field
  2. Stand for 30 minutes without sitting
  3. Climb three flights of stairs without assistance. The Royal Oxford Hotel does not have an elevator, nor do they have rooms on the ground floor.
  4. Hear instructions in a group setting with environmental noise present
  5. Read and understand written instructions and signs
  6. Step in and out of buses or shuttles
  7. Older facilities outside the United States may not offer the same types of disability accommodations that are offered in the United States.
  8. The Royal Oxford Hotel does have air conditioning, but many buildings do not have air conditioning.
  9. Double check to make sure your medications are legal in the UK.

Regent University may be unable to provide special accommodation for people with disabilities. If someone needs accommodation or assistance, that person must bring a companion/assistant at full price. Also, those who have a health or mental condition that may interfere with participation in program activities, need to consult with their physician to determine if they are able to participate in a physically demanding study abroad program. If a student has any questions regarding special accommodations for people with disabilities contact disabilities@regent.edu. Nonstudent attendees contact mackerman@regent.edu.

Note that the minimum number of study trip attendees is 15 and the maximum number is 20. The trip will be cancelled should the number of applicants with deposits not reach the minimum by March 3 and a full refund of payments will be issued.

The Oxford Program Fee is a total of $2100. The nonrefundable $1000 deposit will be applied toward the $2100. The $2100 is nonrefundable for any reason other than if the class is canceled.

All Regent students not enrolled in the School of Communication & the Arts taking this course for credit are allowed to attend with written approval from their Advisor & the SCA Dean. Please check with your Advisor to make sure this class will fit into your ADP before you submit your deposit. Regent students taking this course for credit will be charged the SCA tuition fees which could be different from other schools at Regent University. Regent undergraduate students can take this course for credit and will pay their normal tuition and fees.

Non-credit travelers are welcome to attend. We have had mothers, fathers, grandparents and non-Regent travelers. The average age of travelers is between 21-66 years old.

Travelers under the age of 18 are not allowed to attend without a parent.

In case of an emergency and the leader Dr. Bill Brown is unable to continue with the class, he will have a designated assistant to take over and complete the tour.

All American citizens are advised to register their time abroad for the trip with the U.S. State Department.

All details are subject to change. Please refer to this website regularly for up-to-date information as details are finalized and posted.

Should you have any questions, please contact Oxford Program Manager, Marjorie Ackerman, at mackerman@regent.edu.

This C.S. Lewis seminar will take place during the summer semester May 6-August 10, 2024 with a required one-week class in Oxford, England from June 29-July 6, 2024. This class examines the life and work of C. S. Lewis as it relates to our understanding of communication theory and practice. The class will give special attention to Lewis’ contributions to the study of reason, myth and imagination by examining his writings and by exploring the city of Oxford and the people who contributed to his work to better understand why he continues to be so popular and influential among both scholars and practitioners.

Undergraduates: COMM 485 – Sem: C.S. Lewis and Friends (3 credits)

Graduates: COM 685 – Sem: C.S. Lewis and Friends (3 credits)

Doctoral: COM 785 – Sem: C.S. Lewis and Friends (3 credits)

You will not be able to register for any of these courses as you would normally. After you submit your application and pay the $1000 deposit, Margie Ackerman, the Oxford Program Manager, will send the list of students to Advising to register them in the correct class as a group.

Tuition rate

All graduate/doctoral students must pay the SCA tuition rate, which might be different from other Regent schools. Check with the Business Office. Regent undergraduate students will pay their normal tuition rate.

  • An online prologue May 8-June 23
  • Class meets in Oxford, England June 24-July 1
  • An online epilogue July 2-August 12
  • Discuss C.S. Lewis’ major works including The Chronicles of Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, Mere Christianity, Surprised by Joy and others.
  • Attend a lecture at The Kilns, Lewis’ home.
  • Interact with noted Lewis scholars.
  • Reflect as you stroll on Addison’s walk, where Lewis’ life was changed.
  • Explore Magdalen College, where Lewis taught.
  • Dine and engage in scholarly discussions at Lewis’ favorite pubs.
  • Tour various sites in Oxford such as Christ Church, Merton College & the Bodleian Library.
  • Have opportunities to take part in cultural and academic activities.
  • Visit the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin where Lewis gave his famous sermon.
  • The Narnia Code: C.S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens
  • The Narnian: The Life and Imagination of C.S. Lewis
  • The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe
  • The Screwtape Letters
  • The Great Divorce
  • Surprised by Joy
  • The Four Loves
  • Mere Christianity
  • That Hideous Strength
  • God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics

Tentative Itinerary for Summer 2024

All activities listed on this itinerary are subject to change without notice and are not definite depending upon weather, business hours of operation and time. We highly recommend you be prepared for inclement weather and wear comfortable clothes and shoes as you may walk up to twelve miles each day. You are welcome to take a taxi if you desire to various sites on the itinerary. For “Meals on your own” you are welcome to eat at any establishment you desire.

Saturday, June 29

  • Check into Royal Oxford hotel. Check in time is 2:00 pm or earlier if room is ready.
  • 4:00 – 6 pm – Orientation Reception Meeting.
  • Dinner on your own.

Sunday, June 30

  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Attend service at St. Aldates Church.
  • Lunch on your own.
  • Cream Tea at the Mercure Oxford Eastgate Townhouse.
  • Attend service at Christ Church to listen to the Cathedral Choir for Evensong.
  • Dinner on your own.

Monday, July 1

  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Class in The Tanner Room at Linacre College. Students taking for credit, required to attend.
  • Lunch on your own.
  • Three mile walk to the historic town of Iffley. Must wear comfortable walking shoes & bring water. Footpath along the Thames River.
  • Walk back from Iffley along the Thames River.
  • Dinner on your own.

Tuesday, July 2

  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Take bus to The Kilns
  • Tour of The Kilns & nature reserve
  • Lecture by Dr. Michael Ward
  • Lunch at The Six Bells Pub.
  • Tour of Holy Trinity Church & tour of Headington Cemetery
  • Return to Oxford by bus.
  • Dinner on your own.

Wednesday, July 3

  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Tour of The University Church of St. Mary the Virgin.
  • Visit St. Cross Cemetery at St. Cross Parish Church.
  • Lunch on your own.
  • Tour Magdalen College.
  • Stroll down Addison’s Walk on the grounds of Magdalen College
  • Dinner on your own.

Thursday, July 4

  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Class in The Tanner Room at Linacre College. Students taking for credit, required to attend.
  • Lunch on your own.
  • Tour of Bodleian Library.
  • Dinner on your own.
  • Stroll down Jack’s favorite walk along the Isis River to The Trout for dinner. Distance of 3 miles.
  • Dinner at The Trout Inn.

Friday, July 5

  • Breakfast at hotel.
  • Class in The Tanner Room at Linacre College. Students taking for credit, required to attend.
  • Lunch on your own.
  • Tour of Merton College.
  • Peruse Blackwell’s Bookshop or other shops on Broad Street. (Optional)
  • Dinner on your own.

Saturday, July 6

  • Breakfast at hotel.
  • Check out of hotel by 11:00 am.

No. The only reason the Oxford Program Fee would be refunded is if the trip was cancelled because we did not reach the 15 applicant minimum by March 3. For this reason, make absolutely sure you can take this trip.

Yes. You must get approval from your Student Advisor & the SCA Dean by submitting “Approval to Enroll in a Class in Another School.”

If this course is not part of your approved program, any financial aid you are receiving will not be applied. Please talk to your advisor in the central financial aid office for more details.

All graduate/doctoral students must pay the SCA tuition rate, which might be different from other Regent schools. Check with the Business Office. Regent undergraduate students will pay their normal tuition rate.

  • If you plan to take this course for credit you must contact your Student Advisor at Advising@regent.edu to make sure this class fits into your ADP; otherwise, Financial Aid might not cover this class.
  • If you are a Regent student but not enrolled in SCA, you must submit “Approval to Enroll in a Class in Another School” and get approval from your Student Advisor and the Dean of SCA.
  • Everyone needs to make sure you can take the time to travel to Oxford and that you are financially able to pay for all the expenses surrounding this class as the $2100 Oxford Program Fee is nonrefundable.

The nonrefundable Oxford Program Fee of $2100 is made in two separate payments.

  • Everyone must make an online deposit of $1000 when your application is submitted. Your deposit will be applied toward the $2100.
  • For Credit: If you are taking this class for credit, the $1000 deposit will be applied to your student account. The remaining balance of $1100 will be applied to your student account also. If you have federal aid to cover your full student account balance, you do not need to do anything.

    Please refer to the Financial Aid Calendar for federal aid disbursement dates. If you DO NOT have federal aid to cover your balance in full, you must either: Pay in full OR enroll in the Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) by the Semester Check-In deadline. Failure could put your registration in jeopardy of being dropped for nonpayment. Both payments and enrollment in Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) can be done in your Genysis accounts under the Bill + Payment Center Tab.

    For Non-Credit: If you are taking this class for non-credit, you must pay the $1000 deposit online by January 1, 2024. The remaining amount of $1100 must be paid online by March 1, 2024.
  • We do not accept partial payments. Attendee opens the Registration & Payment section & chose the “Make additional payment. I have registered already.” You must use the same email address as what you used to submit your application. This must be done no later than March 1, 2024 or you will incur a $100 late penalty.
  • $2100 – Oxford Program Fee
  • $250-$300 – Average cost of 14 meals
  • $1200-$1700 – Average airline ticket
  • $62 – Average round trip bus ticket from Heathrow to hotel
  • $3,612-$4,162 – Total average out-of-pocket expenses, not including tuition & books.

Meals in pubs suggested in the itinerary listed as “On your Own” are just suggestions and are not required. You are welcome to eat at any establishment you desire.

We do not require a physician’s report as a condition of acceptance in the program, but we strongly recommend that you have medical and dental checkups before going abroad. If you have a specific physical and/or mental health problem of which we should be aware, you are required to inform the Oxford Program Manager in writing before departure so that your study abroad experience will be as safe and as comfortable as possible. We keep this information in the strictest of confidence and do not use it for admission purposes. If you are taking medication, make sure to bring enough with you to last the trip. If needed, bring medication for pollen as you will walk through/along grassy fields. Make sure your medications are legal in the UK.

The United Kingdom does not require vaccinations. However, travelers should check with their physicians to determine if additional vaccinations are required to travel to the United Kingdom. Vaccinations depend on travelers’ vaccination history. Also, travelers should check the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) website for updates on the United Kingdom.

Go to the U.S. Department of State website to find out about any travel alerts or warnings posted in various countries. You can also find information about passports, tips for traveling abroad and updates on emergencies and crises.

A laptop is optional, but you will need to bring an adapter (and perhaps a converter) as outlets in England use different voltage and the plugs are shaped differently.

Yes, all calls would be charged to your credit card which would be swiped upon check-in for any ‘extras’.

The weather can be unpredictable but it is usually between 70-75 degrees at the end of June. Wear casual, comfortable layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes, as you will be walking outside frequently. Be prepared for inclement weather.

Not without an adapter and converter. Outlets use different voltage and the plugs are shaped differently. You can purchase adapters here at travel stores or in England. Warning: Voltage surges can occur causing such items to be hotter than normal. More expensive adapters do have voltage controls.

No. A laundry facility is available about a 15 minute walk from the hotel.

You can exchange U.S. dollars into the English pound at various locations. A local exchange house, your bank, order from AAA or post offices in the UK. Most places in the UK will accept a credit or debit card. You may find this to be easier than cash. Another option is to withdraw cash from an ATM machine in the airport or in the city. Check with your bank and credit card company for their fees and exchange rates. It would be helpful if you exchanged some U.S. dollars before you leave the states.

Yes, some banks and/or credit card companies will put a hold on your account when they see unusual activity on your bank card if they are not informed of your travels.

  • Before you leave U.S. get adapters for computer and hair dryer. Purchase umbrella, sensible shoes and layered clothing. You will be walking an average of twelve miles every day.
  • When arrive at Heathrow Airport check for information with people dressed in purple, change currency and buy maps. We recommend you purchase a round trip ticket to Oxford from the bus driver as it will be cheaper at approximately £26.
  • Before going home submit VAT receipts and exchange money.
  • Optional – VAT Receipts:  With a VAT form receipt, which you have to ask for, 20% of your purchase price, including dining, is refunded to you when you leave the country. You have to get a VAT receipt from each vendor, which is a pain, but if you spend more than fifty pounds on meals and merchandise, you get 20% back when you submit the receipts to the VAT people at the airport.

Getting here from the airport by bus:

  • Heathrow (recommended airport): The easiest way to get from Heathrow to Oxford is by bus. Go to the Central Bus Station which is not located at the terminal but within a 10-15 minute walk from terminals 1, 2, 3. You can also access escalators and lifts. If you are landing at terminal 1, 2, 3 go to the Central Bus Station and find Bus Stand #15 to get to Oxford. If you are landing at terminal 4 or 5 find Bus Stand #10 to get to Oxford. We recommend you purchase a round trip ticket from the bus driver as it will be cheaper at approximately £26. The Gloucester Green Coach Station in Oxford is the last stop from Heathrow. To get to the Royal Oxford Hotel from the Gloucester Green Coach Station in Oxford, go out of the main entrance and turn right onto George St. At the corner, take a left onto Worchester St. At the next traffic light, make a right onto Park End St. The hotel can be found at the bottom of this road on your right in front of a round about. It should take you no more than 10 minutes to walk to hotel.
  • Gatwick: The easiest way to get from Gatwick to Oxford is by bus. Follow the sign for coaches after you get off the plane. At the coach station, look for the City Link X80. For schedules and fares check out the Oxford Bus Company site. The trip should take just over 2 hours. There are several stops in Oxford, and it is easiest just to stay on till the last stop, Gloucester Green. To get to the Royal Oxford Hotel from the Gloucester Green Coach Station in Oxford, go out of the main entrance and turn right onto George St. At the corner, take a left onto Worchester St. At the next traffic light, make a right onto Park End St. The hotel can be found at the bottom of this road on your right in front of a round about. It should take you no more than 10 minutes to walk to hotel.

Thank you for your interest in the C.S. Lewis Study Abroad trip. Please feel free to contact us utilizing any of the options listed. We look forward to hearing from you and will provide a prompt response to your inquiry.

Program Manager: Marjorie Ackerman
Email: mackerman@regent.edu
By Mail: Marjorie Ackerman
Regent University
1000 Regent University Drive, COM 240
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
USA
In Person: Margie Ackerman
COM 240 (Director’s Suite)
Communication & Performing Arts Center at
Regent University