Overview
- Dates:
- July 1-27, 2013
*Paris Extension, July 27-31 - Program Fee:
- $7,895 + airfare
- Housing:
- Residential
- Grades:
- Completing grades 9-12
- Want more information on
Summerfuel at Oxford?
Oxford is a magical place, loved not just for its longstanding traditions, venerable buildings and academic reputation. It is also where the first mile was run under four minutes, where Alice in Wonderland was first told, and where Tolkien wrote The Lord of the Rings. Summerfuel at Oxford offers students an extraordinary opportunity to go into the heart of one of the world’s most celebrated universities.
Surround yourself with history, tradition and achievement that goes back 900 years. Live as an Oxford undergraduate, discover challenging courses, enjoy a wide variety of extracurricular activities and experience a full schedule of exciting visits and excursions that will give you a wonderful taste of England’s history, culture and traditions. Be inspired to reach new levels of achievement, discover a new culture, make new friends and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Program Schedule
- July 01 • Depart New York
- July 02 • Welcome to Oxford!
- July 03 • First day of Classes
- July 06 • Best of London: Part 1
- July 10 • London Theatre Trip
- July 13 • Bath & Stonehenge
- July 14 • London Bike Tour
- July 20 • Best of London: Part 2
- July 21 • Broughton Castle
- July 24 • London Theatre Trip
- July 26 • Final Dinner & Dance
- July 27 • Depart from Oxford
- July 27-31 • Paris Extension
An Oxford Education
Select two courses to explore a subject of interest in depth, improve academic skills and discover new passions. Learn from experienced Oxford professors and local professionals who utilize all that Oxford has to offer to enrich the learning experience.
Sample Courses
International Business, Shakespeare, Music: The British Invasion, Digital Photography, Psychology of the Criminal Mind, Genetics & the Frontiers of Modern Medicine, Entrepreneurship, Oxford Authors
Oxford Adventures
You will have the freedom to choose an option from our jam-packed activities calendar or spend time in town with your friends. Play in a "footie" match, attend high tea, visit a museum and watch a Shakespeare performance - all in the same day.
Exploring England
We offer more excursions and organized activities than any other academic program in England. You'll visit London, Stonehenge, Bath, Broughton Castle and then London again!

The best part of the program was meeting amazing people from all over the world. My RA was absolutely fantastic and she made us feel like a family on our hall. I have definitely learned how to be more independent and how to take responsibility for myself. I was initially really nervous and homesick at the start of the program, but ended up having an unbelievably wonderful time. I know know I will be prepared for life at college!"
Katie R., Beverly Hills, CA
Student Life
There's no "typical" day at Summerfuel. You will have the freedom to choose what you want to do with your time in Oxford and select from a variety of activities that change from day to day.
Breakfast is served in LMH’s traditional, oak-paneled dining room.
Summerfuel courses are modeled on the Oxford University tutorial format.
From rugby matches to afternoon tea services, we’ll keep your afternoons busy!
Afternoon course offering range from Soccer Training with Arsenal to Entrepreneurship.
Students experience the Oxford tradition of formal dinners.
'80s parties, lectures, ghost tours of Oxford – the possibilities are endless.
Your Summer Home
Your summer home will be Lady Margaret Hall (LMH), one of the 39 colleges that make up Oxford University.
Housing
You will have a single room, fully outfitted with a bed, wardrobe, desk and chair - the same rooms used by Oxford undergraduates during the academic year. LMH "Scouts" will tidy your bedroom daily and supply and replace linens and towels weekly.
Your Resident Advisor (RA) - a university student who has experience in residence life and study abroad - will live on on your hall to create a community, provide support, plan activities and help you get the most out of your stay in Oxford.
Security
A team of porters staff the lodge at the gated entrance to LMH 24-hours a day to monitor the entrance, sign in visitors, assist with lost keys, answer questions, and provide first-aid response.
Facilities
You'll have full access to LMH's 12-acre site with gardens, fields for soccer, Frisbee and volleyball, tennis courts and a boathouse on the River Cherwell, which borders the college. LMH also has common rooms with couches, a TV and DVD player, a foosball table, arcade games, and a jukebox, as well as a computer lab for keeping in touch with friends and family.
Dining
Breakfast and dinner are served in LMH's traditional oak-paneled dining room. Lunch is not provided to encourage you to explore Oxford's restaurants, sandwich shops, and coffeehouses or enjoy a picnic by the river.
Oxford Highlights
All the entertainment and adventure of Oxford's city center is just a short walk away, and students are free to explore in small groups.
Christ Church
Visit the beautiful cathedral and grounds of the famous college conceived in the 1520’s.
Bodlean Library
This architectural gem holds a copy of every book published in the UK.
Carfax Tower
Climb to the top to see why Oxford deserves its unofficial title, “City of Dreaming Spires.”
Radcliffe Camera
With one of the largest domes in English, this is perhaps the most magnificent building in Oxford.
The Randolph
This classy hotel is an ideal spot for afternoon tea on a rainy day.
Covered Market
Explore this arcade of farmers’ stalls, small boutiques, flower shops and sandwich cafes.
Pitt-Rivers Museum
This must-see anthropology museum contains everything from shrunken heads to Amerindian musical instruments.
University Parks
The perfect place to lounge, play, or watch a cricket match, the parks are just steps from the university.
Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology
Britain’s oldest public museum is home to an impressive collection of art, historical objects and oddities, including Oliver Cromwell’s death mask.
Freud’s Café
This live-music haven is housed in a 19th century Greek Revival church.
Cornmarket Street
People-watch on the promenade where the city’s populace comes to do their shopping.
Ghost Tour
Be spooked on a night tour of Oxford’s ghoulish and haunted past.
Academics
Courses follow the Oxford University tutorial format
Students analyze Oxford’s great architecture
Voyages in Afternoon Tea lives up to its name
Experiencing great art, first-hand
Future entrepreneurs plot the next big idea
Students in Shakespeare analyze the Bard’s work
A visit to Oxford’s Museum of Natural History
Oxford provides endless photo opportunities
Going beyond the classroom in the drawing workshop
Mastering post-production skills in Digital Photography
The Oxford Seminar Series in action
At Summerfuel we believe learning should be engaging, inspiring and fun. We've worked hard to design courses, field trips and guest lectures that provide 'only in Oxford' experiences. Whenever possible, course content is enhanced by the plentiful resources of Oxford and London, so that the whole of England becomes your classroom. Visit Parliament while it’s in session with your political science class, tour the medieval colleges in Oxford Art & Architecture, or visit a start-up business for Entrepreneurship.
Summerfuel courses are modeled on the Oxford tutorial format, with small class sizes and an emphasis on seminar style discussion. The teaching staff represents excellence in both the American and British teaching traditions. Courses are taught by an accomplished faculty that includes Oxford University professors, practicing professionals and artists.
Seminar Series
Since its inception in 2002, the Summerfuel Oxford Seminar Series has provided an opportunity for students to explore and discuss a stimulating range of issues and ideas, and for our senior faculty members to showcase their research. The series takes place once a week throughout the program. The following are examples of past lectures, and possible topics for 2013:
- A History of Oxford and Britain in 25 Objects
- Philosophy: Why Bother?
- Oxford in the Movies: From Laurel & Hardy to Harry Potter
- Is Fair Trade Possible?

I LOVED being in Oxford. It is an amazing place, and it really came to feel like home to me. I met new people, learned some new traditions, and came in contact with history at every corner. I met and spent time with excellent people in the program, both students and staff. I know I will remember this summer as a highlight of my high school experience."
Sarah S., Rockville, MD
Morning Courses
Business
What is global capitalism and how does it work? Examine the dynamic world of international business - supply and demand, market structure, trading, and investment - and some of the institutions that keep it in check, such as national governments, the WTO, and the IMF. With your classmates, you'll solve interesting business problems and form your own strategies for some of the world's top organizations.
Marketing and advertising can make or break the success of any product. Learn how the right packaging, pricing and advertising can set an idea apart from the rest. Dive into the complexities of consumerbehavior to develop a winning marketing strategy to promote and sell a new product of your choosing. From advertising on the internet, to magazines, the radio and TV, there's no limit to where your creativity can take you!
Criminology
This course considers both the criminal law system that defines, prosecutes and punishes crime, and the study of the reasons why people commit crime. We will discuss and debate a variety of controversial issues in British law today: crime, poverty, and social inequality; freedom of speech; privacy, arrest and custody; control of the police, miscarriages of justice; and law and morality.
Law & International Affairs
Examine international relations not as abstract theory, but as events that affect the lives of ordinary people. You will study current events relating to war and terrorism, diplomacy, refugee status, human rights, and aid for the developing world in order to think critically about the arguments made in international politics. Formulate your own position on the issues, balancing moral concerns with national interests. Readings and class discussions will be augmented by guest speakers who can share their personal perspectives on events studied in the course. In past summers, speakers have include a former prisoner of war, an evacuee from the London Blitz of 1940, a Darfur activist, and the Head of the Oxford Islam and Muslim Awareness Project.
SAT Prep by The Princeton Review
This course is the most thorough SAT preparation course offered by The Princeton Review. With 30 hours of small-group instruction and individual consultation plus 4 full-length SAT tests, your Princeton Review program will provide you with instruction in the math, critical reading, and writing strategies that you will need to perform at your highest level. Students are grouped by shared strengths and weaknesses to provide targeted instruction. Watch your scores rise as you strengthen your skills with teachers from the nation's leading test prep company. The Princeton Review guarantees that if you complete your program (program completion requires attending all classes, taking all practice exams, completing all homework, participating in a wrap-up session when you return home and taking the October SAT) and you are not satisfied with your score on the October SAT, you may take an SAT Refresher Course or extend membership to the online student center free of charge. (Supplemental Fee: $895)
Science
Investigate the psychological concepts that have revolutionized our understanding of others and ourselves. Examine the roots of personality and behavior as seen through the theories of Freud, Maslow, Erikson, and Piaget and evaluate the validity of these theories in light of your own experiences. You will focus on the major areas of human experience: physical maturation, intellectual and moral development, sensuality and sexuality, family and peer relationships, and coping with stress and problems in everyday life.
This exciting and challenging interdisciplinary course will introduce you to some of the fundamental concepts of medical science. Learn how the immune system functions, and sometimes malfunctions, with respect to disease and how health care professionals and organizations work to prevent, treat, and cure illness. Besides the scientific, you will also investigate the social, political and cultural dimensions of the experience of health and wellness. Prerequisite: Completion of a high school biology course.
Social Sciences
How do philosophers, politicians and economists aim to create a just and fair society? Explore the connections between philosophy, politics and economics in America and Britain in this course based on the famous Oxford undergraduate major. Discover the real world consequences of financial policies that aim to improve our lives. Investigate controversial issues like the redistribution of wealth through taxation and economic incentives for individuals and companies to formulate your own opinion on how the government can best provide for its people.
Visual & Performing Arts
Use Oxford as your classroom to discover its thousand years of architectural beauty and history. On daily trips to sites around the city, you will explore the civic, ecclesiastical, and collegiate architecture of Oxford and engage directly with some of the finest art collections in England. You'll fill a journal with sketches and photographs of all that you see to create a living memory of your summer experience.
This course aims to provide students with the opportunity to explore and develop their own expressive visual vocabulary. Students will explore contrasting approaches ranging from the analytical to the imaginative to representing such subjects as the human figure, natural and manufactured forms, architectural detail, and street scenes. In these projects, students will use a variety of different media including pencil, charcoal, ink, and 3D line sculpture. Regular sketchbook work will culminate in a final polished piece for exhibition in the Summerfuel Art Show.
Writing & Literature
Shakespeare can change your life. Find out how this summer by exploring The Complete Works with an expert guide. Whether you are new to the Bard or already an enthusiast this course will enliven your mind. We will read several plays, acting out scenes, and discovering Renaissance England along the way. Imagine attending performances at the Globe Theater and in the exquisite grounds of Oxford colleges. Rain or shine you will be mesmerized and finish the course a genuine Shakespearean.
Imagine. Compose. Inspire. Develop your unique voice as you focus on the main elements of writing short fiction. With works by well known writers as your model, learn to develop narrative point of view, effective description, characterization and dialogue. Make use of the rich resources of Oxford to turn your own experiences and impressions into finished works to share with others. Return home with a variety of revised pieces for a portfolio you can be proud of.
Master one of the most important skills for success in high school, college, and beyond. Reach higher levels of achievement by studying the elements common to all successful writing - defining an audience, developing a thesis statement, supporting your argument, and revising for grammar and style. By studying a variety of texts and critically evaluating your work, you will sharpen both your expository and persuasive writing abilities and come away with polished essays for your portfolio.
Afternoon Courses
Business
Are you a self-starter who is always looking for the next big idea? Do you want to develop your leadership skills and learn how to run your own company? This practically-based course will show you how to create your own business from start to finish. Learn how to identify a market, attract investors and manage growth and expansion. Study models of both successful and unsuccessful businesses and look at the developing impact of technology. Visit local businesses to gain a greater understanding of the complexities involved in running a successful entrepreneurial venture. Then, work with a team of your peers to develop your own original business plan to promote your innovative idea.
Get ready to buy, sell and trade your way through the basics of financial markets. Learn to navigate the stock exchange, to balance between risk and return and to create a diversified portfolio. Discover why corporations succeed or fail and use current financial news to gain an applied understanding of the global market. Particular focus will be spent on the similarities and differences between England as part of the European Union and the United States.
SAT Prep by The Princeton Review
Welcome to your one-stop, all-inclusive SAT preparation course with The Princeton Review. Each class provides instruction in the math, critical reading, and writing strategies that you will need to perform at the highest level. In addition to 18 hours of small-group classroom lessons and individual consultation, you will take 3 full-length SAT tests and receive a personalized score report with your analyzed results and suggestions for further study. Students are grouped by shared strengths and weaknesses to provide targeted instruction. Watch your scores rise as you strengthen your skills with experienced teachers from the nation's leading test prep company. The Princeton Review guarantees that if you have attended all classes and practice tests, completed all homework assignments and view an online wrap-up session in the fall, and you are not satisfied with your score on the October SAT, you may take an SAT Refresher Course or extend membership to the online student center free of charge. (Supplemental Fee: $695)
Science
What drives people to commit crimes? Do offenders have a failed sense of morality, or, is it a biologically hard wired, unstoppable urge? Investigate psychological phenomena such as "group think" and "de-individuation" as they relate to environmental factors like poverty, drug use and social upbringing. Explore how mental illnesses like psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder can be a source of criminal behavior and study fascinating examples of how seemingly normal individuals commit serious and violent felonies.
Discover recent developments on the nature and role of DNA. Learn how genetic research and advances in molecular biology are re-shaping medicine and enabling new treatments for diseases such as cancer and AIDS. You will also discuss current ethical issues in medicine such as gene therapy, genetic engineering and cloning. Prerequisite: Completion of high school biology course.
Social Sciences
"Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage" - Catherine Douzel - Britain consumes around 165 million cups of tea each day. Afternoon tea is an English institution, accompanied by sandwiches, scones or cake. Explore the culture and history of this English activity through the tea rooms, collections, shops and houses in Oxford. This will be a voyage of discovery leading from a variety of taste sensations to an exploration of English customs, rituals, trade and wars.
Britain has been responsible for many of the greatest acts in rock & roll and continues to produce top artists in all genres of popular music. You will study the core groups from the British rock and popular music canon including The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols, the Smiths and Oxford's own Radiohead. Investigate the genres of rock, psychedelic rock, punk, ska, Britpop and Hip Hop.
Visual & Performing Arts
Pursue your passion for photography and apply your own artistic touch in the digital darkroom. Master the fundamentals of composition through discussion of the work of well-known photographers and explore your own style taking pictures around Oxford. Learn how to use the manual features of your digital camera and Adobe Photoshop to conceive and create images with beauty, purpose, intent and meaning. Perfect your best work for display in the final ASA Art Show. You must supply your own SLR digital camera and laptop with Adobe Photoshop. (Supplemental Fee: $75)
Does your stomach sink when you hear the words "Oral Presentation"? Would you prefer to stay home sick rather than participate in a class debate? From speaking in front of a class to tackling a college interview, public speaking is a skill everyone should master. Develop your ability to express yourself confidently and clearly by practicing a wide range of presentation styles, including motivational, persuasive and entertainment. Sharpen your skills with the aid of videos and texts of famous orations to deliver a performance for any occasion.
Writing & Literature
Immerse yourself in the Elizabethan world of William Shakespeare, and approach 'The Complete Works' from unexpected angles. Explore the elements of life in 16th century England that contributed to the development of the world's greatest playwright and better understand Shakespeare's plays. Recreate the provincial life in Shakespeare's hometown of Stratford, focusing on religion, schooling, courtship, marriage, work and class. Opportunities to see plays at London's Globe Theatre and in Oxford give you first-hand experiences to compare and contrast with the performances and customs of Elizabethan times.
Imagine. Compose. Inspire. Develop your unique voice as you focus on the main elements of writing short fiction. With works by well known writers as your model, learn to develop narrative point of view, effective description, characterization and dialogue. Make use of the rich resources of Oxford to turn your own experiences and impressions into finished works to share with others. Return home with a variety of revised pieces for a portfolio you can be proud of.
Experience Oxford through the writings of three famous Oxford scholars: Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. By enjoying a variety of excursions, you will explore the physical and intellectual landscape of Oxford and the influence it has had on these author's imaginative works. Consider the function of myth, allegory, symbolism and other literary forms and compare your own experiences and adventures in Oxford to those that take place in Alice's Wonderland, Narnia and the magic of the Hobbit's Middle-earth.
Activities & Trips
Get an inside look at St Paul's Cathedral
Try to make a guard smile!
Experiencing the best of London
Taking a midday tennis break
Relaxing in Bath on a weekend excursion
Faculty and students go in for a game of rugby
It’s hard to beat the magic of Stonehenge
Students showing off their skills at open mic night
Afternoons are the perfect time for a culture fix
LMH offers ample grounds for cricket, croquet and more
Relaxing with a book on a sunny afternoon
Students experience England’s rich history on excursions
University Parks is perfect for afternoon activities
Relaxing after a visit to the Houses of Parliament
Included Trips
Every weekend, you'll travel to fantastic, historic sites to make sure you see the best that England has to offer.
Best of London: Part 1
Discover one of the world’s most exciting international cities, whose history dates back to Roman times. Today’s attractions include the National Gallery, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Imperial War Museum and more.
Best of London: Part 2
Experience London’s must-see attractions on our second visit. Explore the Tate Modern art gallery, enjoy a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater or stop by Harrods for souvenirs.
Stonehenge
Marvel at this world famous monument where druids and hippies have worshiped for almost 4,000 years.
Bath
Tour the famous Hot Springs and Roman Baths, and take in the finest 18th century urban design at the Royal Crescent and Circus.
Broughton Castle
Discover one of England’s most beautiful castles, where the films The Scarlet Pimpernel and Shakespeare in Love were filmed.
Something Extra
Summerfuel provides the following optional trips at an extra cost to a limited number of students.
West End Theatre
Choose from a diverse line up of plays and musicals in London's famous West End. In the past, Summerfuel students have seen Wicked!, Billy Elliot, Les Miserables, The Producers and Mamma Mia.
London Bike Tour
See Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Royal Parks, Kensington Palace, Big Ben and Trafalgar Square – and learn about the history of these notable sites! This leisurely and comfortable tour is open to bike riders of all levels.
Paris Extension: July 27-31, $1,395
What better way to complement your month abroad in Europe than to travel to one of the continent’s cultural capitals? Enjoy a five-day visit to the City of Lights, featuring organized tours and activities highlighting Paris’ greatest monuments and some of its more off-beat attractions. Climb the Eiffel Tower, visit Notre Dame and experience some of Europe’s greatest museums. In the evenings, take a cruise on the River Seine, explore Ile Saint Louis or just watch the world go by from a Parisian café.
Daily Activities
Summerfuel offers a wide variety of activities each and every day at Lady Margaret Hall and around Oxford.
Past favorites include:
- High tea
- Croquet
- Cricket
- Shakespeare performances
- Formal dinners
- Harry Potter Tour
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Tennis
- Punting
- College Admissions Workshops
- Rugby
- Cricket
- Dodge ball tournament
- Talent Show
- Karaoke
- Outdoor movies
- Spa night
- Casino night
- Hypnotist
- Ice skating
- Trivia contests
- '80s Dance
Program Staff

Senior Staff
At Summerfuel we are particularly proud of our extraordinary program directors, staff and faculty. We believe that strong, nurturing and experienced leadership sets the tone for a successful program.
The senior staff is comprised of two Co-Directors, a Dean of Students, an Academic Director, an Activities Director, and a Student Services Coordinator. Our Co-Director, Paul Saville, has led the Oxford Experience program for over 20 years. He is an Oxford professor and artist and resides in the city year-round. The second Co-Director, Emily Osborne, has been with Summerfuel for 7 years and works as a high school teacher during the academic year.

Resident Advisors (RAs)
RAs are an essential part of the Summerfuel experience and are hired solely to support and act as role models to our students.
RAs are college upperclassmen or recent graduates with experience in residential life. They live on each floor, with one RA for every ten students. RAs will always be available to organize activities, provide tours around Oxford, answer questions and make sure our students get the most out of their summer.

Safety & Supervision
The safety, security, and overall well-being of our students is our utmost priority. We implement the following measures to ensure our students are well cared for and safe at all times.
- 1 to 8 student to residential staff ratio
- 24 hour security with a team of porters on staff at Lady Margaret Hall
- Electronic key pass required for entry into residence hall buildings
- Designated zone in which students can travel
- Buddy system to ensure students never travel alone
- 11pm daily curfew
- Zero tolerance for drug or alcohol use


