Word on the Street ep 4 - Oxford
Transcript
"In this episode, Stephen and Ashlie visit the ancient city of Oxford."
Stephen: Ice on the road, bridge ahead, look out for wild animals. What’s this one, Ash?
Ashlie: That one means ‘danger, river bank’ or something. It’s obvious, look at it.
Stephen: I’m studying for my driving test. You have to do a test in the car when you’re learning to drive and you have to do a written test as well - so I have to learn all these signs.
Ashlie: And I’m studying for my Business Studies course. I have to go to Oxford this afternoon to do an exam so I’m doing some last minute revision.
Stephen: Hey, Ash.
Ashlie: What?
Stephen: Did you say your exam’s in Oxford?
Ashlie: Yeah, so?
Stephen: So, why don’t I drive us there? And you can give me a driving lesson on the way. I really need the practice.
Ashlie: OK, then. Sounds good.
Stephen: Great! When do we need to go?
Ashlie: Well, with you driving? Now!
Stephen: I’ll go and get a map.
Ashlie: Oh, you don’t need to - we’ve got the GPS.
Stephen: Excellent, shall we go?
Ashlie: Yep.
.....
Stephen: OK. Ready to go!
GPS: Seatbelt on.
Stephen: Oops. Seatbelt on.
Ashlie: Right. Look in the mirrors. Get into gear. Signal. Just check the mirrors again. And off we go.
Stephen: This is easy!
Ashlie: You’re doing OK, just take it easy, the GPS knows where we’re going.
GPS: Turn right in 100 metres.
Stephen: Turn right in 100 metres.
GPS: Continue driving around the roundabout for five kilometres. Turn left in 200 metres.
Stephen: Left?! That can’t be right. We’re going round in circles.
Ashlie: I think we should go right.
GPS: Keep left. Approaching destination in 5 metres.
Ashlie: Stephen!
Stephen: Let’s turn that thing off and turn around.
Ashlie: Oh, come on. I’m going to be late. It’s almost two o’clock now.
Stephen: Which way do I go Ash?
Ashlie: Oh, look, just stop here. Over there.
Ashlie: OK – remember to lock the car and don't forget to take the GPS with you. I’ll give you a ring after my exam. Bye!
Ashlie: Taxi!
Ashlie: Excuse me, can you take me to Oriel College, please?
Taxi Driver: OK.
Ashlie: Thanks.
GPS: You have arrived at your destination.
"Stephen explores the ancient city of Oxford and meets some girls who are studying at the University."
Stephen: While Ashlie’s in her exam, I’m going to have a look around Oxford. You probably know it’s famous for its university, but let’s find out a little bit more.
.....
Stephen: Hello.
Tourist lady: Hello.
Stephen: Er, I’m visiting Oxford for the day, what’s the best thing to do?
Tourist lady: Well it’s a lovely day. I suggest you walk around the colleges, take a bus tour, explore the Bodleian Library or take a punt on the river with a picnic.
Stephen: How many colleges are there?
Tourist lady: There’s around 39.
Stephen: What’s the best way to see Oxford?
Tourist lady: The best way to see Oxford is probably on foot with one of our green and blue badge guides.
Stephen: Great. Thank you so much.
Tourist lady: You’re welcome.
Stephen: Bye.
Tourist lady: Bye.
.....
Stephen: Hiya girls. You alright?
Students: Good, thank you.
Stephen: Are you students here?
Students: Yes
Stephen: What are you studying?
Student 1: History.
Student 2: Yeah History, too.
Stephen: What’s it like being a student here?
Students: It's great.
Student 2: Really good.
Student 1: It’s, like, the best university known worldwide so it’s a great place to be.
Stephen: So tell me what it’s like studying here in Oxford.
Student 1: We have lectures and seminars and then it’s your own time to go to the library and read your books and do your research for the next lecture so if you don’t do that reading, then you’re not prepared for the next lecture – so it’s really up to you to do your own work.
Stephen: And what’s the social life like here?
Student 2: Loads of stuff, like, really good pubs, really good clubs… erm, like, when it’s sunny and stuff it’s beautiful to just sit in the sun and, like, go punting and stuff. So it’s really nice.
Stephen: Right, I’ve got a great idea for what to do with Ashlie when she finishes her exam.
.....
Stephen: So? How did it go?
Ashlie: Really well, I think. I answered all the questions and I finished in time, so fingers crossed.
Stephen: Great. Listen, you deserve a treat after all your hard work. I’ve somewhere I want to take you.
Ashlie: Alright then, I’ll see you in a second.
Stephen: OK. Bye.
.....
Ashlie: Wow, it’s really nice down here.
Stephen: I know. I’ve booked us a boat for a trip on the river.
Ashlie: Really? Oh thank you. That’s great. I’ve always wanted to try this.
Stephen: Come on.
Ashlie: Can I have a go first? Watch out. Here I go…
Stephen: Ready?
Ashlie: Yup. Off we go!
.....
Stephen: This is great. Which way shall we go, Ash? Let’s ask the GPS.
Stephen: OK, my turn.
Ashlie: Stephen, not like that - we’re going round in circles! Stephen! Stephen – watch out for that.
Stephen: The GPS! Ashlie! What are we going to do now, without the GPS?
Ashlie: Oh, it was useless anyway. It didn’t help us get here.
Stephen: I’ll have to go and buy a map.
Ashlie: OK, you can read the map but give me the keys because… I’m driving home. Stephen! Watch out!
"Lots of students, from all over the world, come to Britain each year to study. Nick visits Oxford University and the London School of Economics and talks to some students to find out what it's like to study in the UK."
Oxford should be about an hour's drive from London. It’s very popular with tourists and students. And Oxford University is one of the top ten universities in the world.
I’m at the top of the Carfax Tower. It has amazing views over the city and from here you can see that the university really is at the heart of the city.
Oxford University is made up of thirty eight different colleges. There are twenty thousand students studying at Oxford from nearly a hundred and fifty countries. Studying here can be an amazing experience. Some of these colleges are more than 700 years old.
Many students get involved in activities outside their studies. The Oxford University Fencing Club is over a hundred years old. It is still popular today.
Nick: How important are the extracurricular activities like the sporting clubs and societies?
Student: I think it’s really important. I think especially in Oxford where it’s a really strong academic environment it’s really easy for people to just get really caught up and just live in the library. It’s definitely good for people to get out and do something different.
Nick: Is it difficult to get the balance right between your university work and your sport?
Student: Well, I tend to be busy all of the time. So I’m studying during the daytime and then in the evenings I come down here and train. You have to work really hard but at the same sense you can also, kind of, play really hard. You can train hard and do really well at sports and other activities.
.....
There are universities in most big towns and cities in Britain. This is the LSE, the London School of Economics, part of the University of London.
Many students come from abroad to study in the UK. They have to find tuition fees, food and somewhere to live. It can be expensive.
Waqas Adenwala is from Pakistan and lives in Rosebury Hall, the university halls of residence about 2 kilometres from the main campus.
Nick: Hi, Waqas.
Waqas: Hi Nick.
Nick: Nice room.
Waqas: Thank you.
Nick: So why do you live in a Halls of Residence?
Waqas: It’s really nice. It’s a short walk to the campus, it’s cheap and I get to meet a lot more people.
Nick: What’s it like to live here?
Waqas: It’s great. There’s so many things I can do over here. There’s a canteen, a bar, a TV room and then there’s even a laundry.
Nick: Will you live here next year?
Waqas: I will. In the first year everyone gets the accommodation, but they move out to share a flat next year, but I’m definitely staying here.
Back on campus, students have social areas where they can relax. The Students’ Union building is the place where they can meet friends after a busy day.
Michael Lock is from Hong Kong and is studying law at the London School of Economics. He’s also International Students’ Officer.
Nick: So what goes on here at the LSE Student’s Union?
Michael: Well, Nick, as you can see, students will come here between their classes and lectures and will meet up with their friends before going home or going to another class.
Nick: And you’re an International Students’ Officer. What does that mean?
Michael: About 70 percent of our students come from overseas, so I work with some of them in helping them in visa issues and generally settling down in a new home in London.
Nick: And what tips would you give to any students thinking of coming to study in the UK?
Michael: I think my number one tip is – get a nice jacket because it can get pretty cold – and secondly – know what you are looking for – because different universities are very different. And finally keep an open mind – do not be afraid to meet new people and have fun!
Nick: Good advice. Your shot.
Studying in Britain can cost a lot of money and students need to work hard but the main thing to remember about being a student is that it’s also a lot of fun.