English

Oxford Survival Guide: Understanding the Soul of a City

"Not everyone will share this perspective. This is just my own."

This article is also available in [Burmese]

Today, I want to write about the essence of living in the city of Oxford—the experiences that anyone who has lived here will likely encounter. The feeling it evokes will vary from person to person, depending on their background and expectations. For me, this city is a happy place. But this happiness is fundamentally different from the familiar, bustling joy of a city like Yangon. This is a happiness discovered amidst discipline, stability, and depth.

Part 1: The Climate - Your First Survival Challenge

To describe the weather here, the word “cold” is insufficient. This isn’t the dry cold of a Yangon winter. The UK’s cold is a “Damp Cold.” It’s the kind of chill that seeps into your bones and leaves you feeling cold all day.

The Unpredictability of the Weather: In the UK, weather forecasts are often inaccurate. It’s normal for a sunny morning to turn into a stormy afternoon, marked by rain and wind. Because Oxford has few high-rise buildings and many open green spaces, when the wind blows, it can feel strong enough to sweep you off your feet. Summer can be hot, but extreme heat is rare, usually only occurring during a heatwave.
Dressing for the Climate: A thick Puffer Coat is essential when you first arrive. (A pro-tip: buy a good one here from a store like JD Sports or Sports Direct. Jackets from Myanmar are not adequate for this climate.
- Year-Round Fashion: As a baseline, you’ll need long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, a jumper or hoodie, and a Puffer or Long coat. For winter, earmuffs, gloves, thick socks, and thermal underlayers are your best friends.
- Summer: A T-shirt, shorts, and sandals are fine, but be aware that evenings can still get a bit chilly.
Skincare: This climate can cause your skin to dry out excessively. Skincare products that worked perfectly in Yangon may become completely ineffective here. Chapped lips and dry, itchy skin are typical. A high-quality Moisturiser is an absolute necessity.

Part 2: The Way of Life - The Beauty of Silence and Solitude

For someone accustomed to the noisy, chaotic lifestyle of Yangon, the first thing Oxford gives you is a sense of "Silence.”

Population and Lifestyle: You don’t see people everywhere. Except for the City Centre and areas like Cowley Road, the streets are often empty by the early evening. For someone used to living with a large, boisterous family, this quiet can feel like loneliness. Most students walk around with headphones, living in their world. This isn’t arrogance; it’s a culture that values personal space and privacy.
Oxford vs. London - Safety and Peace of Mind: London, as a global metropolis, is constantly buzzing with people and opportunities. But that massive crowd brings with it a shadow of insecurity. When you’re walking at night in London or taking the Tube, you’re always conscious of your surroundings. In Oxford, it’s different. I’ve ridden my bike to the outskirts of the city alone at midnight, and I've walked with headphones in. The freedom to move around without the constant fear of being mugged or pickpocketed is one of the most precious gifts Oxford offers.
Professionalism and Culture: The people here feel more professional and more systematic. It’s the nature of an Academic City, a gathering place for international students and scholars. People do their work, respect each other’s time, and follow the rules. It’s rare to encounter someone who tries to take advantage of you with false familiarity, unlike in Yangon. Although there is a great diversity of ethnicities and religions, everyone coexists under a common framework of law and order.

Part 3: A Mental Map of Oxford

Oxford’s map may seem confusing at first, but in reality, each area has its distinct Character and identity. You can get anywhere with Google Maps, and you can even track live bus times, so there’s no need for the guesswork you might be used to in Yangon.

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City Centre to the West: Heading west from the city centre, you’ll cross the A34 highway. This area is known as Botley, and it’s home to Oxford Brookes’s Harcourt Hill Campus. It has a more rural feel, featuring small industrial parks, fields, and wholesale markets for meat and fish.
City Centre to the South West: Heading south from the centre, you’ll find the Oxford Buddha Vihara, a monastery. Continuing, you’ll reach the small villages on the outskirts of the city, where you’ll see large houses, wide-open fields, and horse and cattle farms.
City Centre to the East: Going east will take you past St Clement’s and to Oxford Brookes’s Headington Hill Campus. Continuing, you’ll reach the Headington roundabout, and eventually, the fields of Wheatley.
St Clements to the South: From St Clements, heading south takes you down Cowley Road. This is Oxford’s "Food Heaven.” It’s the most culturally diverse and vibrant street in the city, lined with Chinese, Indian, and Middle Eastern restaurants, as well as barbershops and theatres.

Part 4: The Rhythm and Habits of the City

The Character of Shops: Most shops open around 9:00 or 10:00 AM and close by 8:00 PM. On Sundays, they close by 4 or 5 PM. For those used to the late-night culture of Yangon, this can feel isolating at first.
The Culture of Politeness: The words “Thank you,” "Sorry,” and “Please” are a part of everyday language here. People will smile and greet you whether they know you or not. While it might seem superficial at times, it contributes significantly to a harmonious environment.
Adherence to Rules: You will not be served alcohol in a bar or pub without showing ID. The law is strictly followed. This adherence to rules is what makes the city feel so safe and secure.
Racism: It exists, but it’s rare. It’s not about ethnicity but about the mindset of individuals. Oxford is home to many interracial couples and is generally a very accepting environment.

Oxford’s social life is entirely different from Yangon’s. Here, the culture revolves around “going to the pub,” not “going clubbing.”

Pub Culture: A pub is not just a place to drink. It’s the “third place” for people (after home and work/school). It’s a place to talk with friends, complain about exams, or sit quietly with a book. From historic pubs like The Eagle and Child, where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis used to sit, to student favourites hidden in alleyways like The Turf Tavern, there are endless options to explore.
University Societies: This is the best way to make new friends and share your hobbies. At the Oxford Brookes Students’ Union (OBSU), there are hundreds of clubs, from sports teams and a Debate Society to a Film Society and even a Harry Potter Society. The membership fee is only about £5 to £20 for the whole year, and the experiences and connections you’ll make are priceless.

Part 6: Travelling Beyond the City

Oxford is a central hub fortravellingg throughout the UK.

London: The Oxford Tube bus takes about 1.5 hours, and a round-trip ticket is only about £20.
Manchester: The traijourney n takeapproximatelyut 2.5 hours, and with a Railcard, a ticket can be alowap as £30-£40.
Europe: From London, you can take the Eurostar train to major European cities like Paris and Amsterdam.

Conclusion: What Oxford Teaches You

Ultimately, living in Oxford gives you more than just an education. It teaches you “Self-Reliance.” As you learn to stand on your own two feet here, you will become more disciplined, more responsible, and a more independent person.

This city won’t bribe you with the easy familiarity of Yangon. However, it will provide you with stability, security, and the ideal environment to learn how to stand on your own.