Welcome to the official web site for St. Bonaventure University's Francis E. Kelley Oxford Program!
The program is known to many as St. Bonaventure's most prestigious summer program. From its founding in the thirteenth century, Oxford University has been the world's premier center of learning. The plans for the summer indicate that it will be even more exciting than in the past.
An academic opportunity for St. Bonaventure University students, SBU professors will accompany students in Oxford, but students will study under Oxford dons. In addition, students will have the opportunity to enjoy all the other things that Oxford offers: museums, bookstores, theaters, clubs, country walks, punting on the river Thames, European football, and meeting other students visiting from around the world.
Oxford's enviable location permits SBU participants to make inexpensive day trips to places like London, Windsor, and Cambridge. Ireland, Scotland, Paris, and most of the European continent are easily accessible for students' long travel weekend.
Students will reside in spacious single rooms at Trinity College, one of 40 colleges that make up the University. The college is centrally located, within easy walking distance of all other parts of the city, including libraries, theaters, and sports facilities.
The academic program proves, each year, to be both challenging and enjoyable. Students take two or three courses and receive between six and eight St. Bonaventure credits (depending on the courses chosen). Course choices are likely to include: Contemporary British Literature, Contemporary British Drama, Irish History, International Business, Shakespeare, Medieval History, British Poetry, British/American Media and Culture, Inquiry into the Natural World/Lab, Arts and Literature and Modern Philosophy. They have been selected to give participants the British perspective in these subject areas and to help fulfill one's university and major requirements.
The cost of the program includes full room and board, six-eight credits, several bus tours (to places such as Stratford-on-Avon, Bath, Stonehenge, Cambridge, Windsor and Canterbury), a weekend trip to the Lake District (England's most scenic national park), admissions to sights, lectures, musicals, plays and festive banquets, including six to eight formal dinners at Trinity College, our host school.
If you wish to apply, please click on the "Apply" button at the top of this web page to obtain the required application forms and additional information. If you have questions, you may contact me in my office (Room: 216) in the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Murphy Hall at 716-375-2579 (voice mail), or send me an e-mail message at bvalente@sbu.edu. Students normally apply to the program in November and are notified of their acceptance at their home addresses during the Christmas vacation.
In the meantime, please explore the many areas of interest in our web site. I'm sure you'll grow to understand why this program is one of the most respected, challenging and delightful academic programs at St. Bonaventure University.
Enjoy your tour of the Francis E. Kelley Oxford Program at Trinity College, Oxford.
Peace and all good things,
Bro. Basil J. Valente, O.F.M.
Director, Francis E. Kelley Oxford Program
