I must be mad! (Thinking about Hertford College, Oxford Fall 2008)

I think I've lost it, and yet I am so excited at this prospect all the same!

I was cruising through the ASU Study Abroad site and discovered they have a program through the Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University for Hertford College at Oxford Uni. I want to eventually study for an MLIS with a focus in rare books, so the prospect of being across the street from the Bodleian Libary is drool-inducing!! 

The scariest part for me is the price. It's almost $32,000 for a spring term, and I'm thinking of doing fall (which could cost more or less, I have no idea yet as the only info on the site so far is for this spring). I emailed someone to ask about a History of Art tutorial, as the site only lists History even though it says to ask if you don't see one you're looking for.

Has anyone ever gone through a similar, or even the same program to study abroad? Anyone ever studied in Oxford? Anyone ever visit the college there? I'm just looking for stories, experiences, etc. I know of a lot of sites that list getting financial aide type information, but I'm also curious about how hard it was for others to obtain funding. I don't know yet if there are any specific scholarships, but I can expect no help from parents or lotto winnings

Any comments?

Hoiyer, haven't gone through the program or studies abroad myself, but I live in Oxford and know lots of people who went to the Uni. I don't think I personally know anyone who has gone to Hertford, however.  I'm not sure what to add, but hi.

At the risk of sounding like your mother...$32,000 for one semester is a lot of money! I know you're anxious to get here, but it might be more financially reasonable to wait and use that money for a graduate program in the UK. You'll surely be able to find a graduate program in Art History here. I'm spending about $17,000 on tuition and fees for one year and I'll have a MA degree when I'm finished. Plus, you can get Stafford Loans to help fund your degree and there should be more opportunity for scholarships than I would imagine there are for a semester study abroad program.

Sorry to be such a downer, but it's no fun being in debt for the rest of your life!

The problem is though, I don't intend on getting a masters in Art History. I want to get my masters in Information and Library sciences with a concentration in rare books and book conservation. There are very few programs (both in the US and in the UK) that even offer the MLIS, let alone with the choice to concentrate in rare books, plus the added ability to study paper conservation. I'm most likely going to end up getting my masters at UT Austin because they offer the exact program I want.

It's also more of a dream. I'm not so genuinely sure it will even pan out, but I had alread considered what you mentioned as I am more reasonable than you'd think

I can't really help you with the whole Hertford College thing, other to say that Oxford is a lovely town and I've never met a soul who didn't like being there....

I just wanted to poke my head in and say that I have a MLIS with a concentration in archives from Simmons College in Boston, and that I'd be happy to talk grad programs, curricula, etc. if you'd like.  If you're already thinking of UT Austin, though, then you're in good shape - I nearly went there (as Austin is quite similar to my hometown of Athens, GA and the program is top-notch) but eventually decided that instead of swapping one hot, humid red state for another, I'd try a cold, windy blue one for a change. (It was good practice for the UK. )

If you do wind up going to Hertford College, I can put you in touch with a friend (he went to uni with DF) who lives and works in Oxford as a rare books cataloguer - he knows quite a few folks on the rare books end of things and would probably be able to advise you better than I on the various UK grad programs, job market and networking opportunities (I haven't really started looking yet, as I'm here on a fiancee visa and won't be eligible to work until next April).

I had alread considered what you mentioned as I am more reasonable than you'd think

Oh no, I've seen your other posts and I KNOW you're VERY reasonable! Which surprises me a little bit about this post...

I trust you'll make the best decision for you and your circumstances!

Wow! Thanks for everyone's comments! I actually didn't know if I would really get much of a response on this post.

I just wanted to poke my head in and say that I have a MLIS with a concentration in archives from Simmons College in Boston, and that I'd be happy to talk grad programs, curricula, etc. if you'd like.  If you're already thinking of UT Austin, though, then you're in good shape - I nearly went there (as Austin is quite similar to my hometown of Athens, GA and the program is top-notch) but eventually decided that instead of swapping one hot, humid red state for another, I'd try a cold, windy blue one for a change. (It was good practice for the UK. )

If you do wind up going to Hertford College, I can put you in touch with a friend (he went to uni with DF) who lives and works in Oxford as a rare books cataloguer - he knows quite a few folks on the rare books end of things and would probably be able to advise you better than I on the various UK grad programs, job market and networking opportunities (I haven't really started looking yet, as I'm here on a fiancee visa and won't be eligible to work until next April).

I cannot believe that you would be so nice as to offer this kind of help! I would LOVE to talk grad programs with you, as well as ask a few questions regarding archives vs. standard librarianship. I've never even heard of Simmons College. I think I'd love Boston over Austin also, as I have been sort of dreading the prospect of living in Texas (weather wise, I'm not insulting the state ) I'll send you a PM with my email address. Thank you!!

Oh no, I've seen your other posts and I KNOW you're VERY reasonable! Which surprises me a little bit about this post...

I trust you'll make the best decision for you and your circumstances!

I may be reasonable for the most part, but I am a dreamer at heart!

I'll send you a PM with my email address. Thank you!!

Just wanted to let you know that I got your PM - things are crazy here at the moment but I promise I'll email you in the next couple of days and we can talk shop.

Just a random aside...I know the education requirements for archivists are different in the UK (in that archive/records management programs here tend to be separate from library schools, so an MLIS from the US won't cut it for archivist jobs in the UK.)  If you end up wanting to work with archives as opposed to library resources and you want to eventually live in the UK, it's something worth considering.

Just wanted to let you know that I got your PM - things are crazy here at the moment but I promise I'll email you in the next couple of days and we can talk shop.

No problem! Whenever you're free, there's no rush

Just a random aside...I know the education requirements for archivists are different in the UK (in that archive/records management programs here tend to be separate from library schools, so an MLIS from the US won't cut it for archivist jobs in the UK.)  If you end up wanting to work with archives as opposed to library resources and you want to eventually live in the UK, it's something worth considering.

That's really go to know! Thanks Andrea!