Popular Oxford myths abound, but the vast majority of them are either completely false or several decades out of date. By actively reaching out, the University is hoping to give potential applicants the correct information about Oxford, and let them make the decision to apply based on their own knowledge and experience.

Oxford is an elite university, not an elitist one.  Whatever your background, if you’re interested in your subject and successful academically, Oxford is a university you can consider and Balliol College is a great place to study.

--2010-11 OFFICER'S WELCOME LETTER TO FRESHERS--

Our names are Max and Shreya and we’re the ethnic minority and overseas (EM&O) officers for Balliol undergraduates. We’re writing to tell you – first – CONGRATULATIONS on meeting your offer and to coming here in the autumn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Balliol is one of the most international undergraduate colleges, with people from over thirty countries. At Balliol, we have a very supportive atmosphere for people coming from different backgrounds and cultures and there are always people (especially us) who are there if you ever need any help.  

In preparation for coming to the Balliol, we have a few tips / suggestions that we think would make everything a lot easier for you.

First, if you need a visa, make sure to sort that out sooner rather than later, as to avoid potential issues. If you have any specific questions, don’t be afraid to email people at Balliol about it – the most helpful are probably glynis.price@balliol.ox.ac.ukor bruce.forman@balliol.ox.ac.uk, and they’ll forward it to the right person if they’re not able to help you. Max definitely sent them way too many emails over the summer, and they were really nice about it.

In terms of getting here, when you’re flying into the UK for the first time, we would suggest printing off copies of all of your emails, documents, communications, etc. that you’ve had from Oxford, the UK Border Agency, Balliol, et al. about your visa. It shouldn’t be a problem, but if they decide to ask for extra paperwork when you’re coming through immigration for the first time – it’s better to have it than not.

            Finally, in preparation for arriving in Oxford, we would suggest looking through the various bank websites online so you’ll know which bank and what type of account you want to set up an account with when you get here. We’ve been told that this website http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/is quite good to use. Max remembers there being a really large queues for the banks during 0^th week and the few days before so he’d suggest getting there as soon as they open and trying to sort it out as soon as possible.

Again, if you have any questions, definitely get in touch with either one of us and have a relaxing summer before we see you all in October!

global-love-from-Max-and-Shreya

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p.s. Our emails are max.goplerud@balliol.ox.ac.ukand shreya.sinha@balliol.ox.ac.uk

 p.p.s. Friend us on Facebook – we’re really cool 

-- 2009-10 OFFICERS' FINAL REPORT --

 Hi, it's Daniel Alphonsus and Paul Gerstmayr, your Ethnic Minorities and Overseas Officers!