Hello again mates!

Basic facts you should know about me. I enjoy politics, everything from live debates to internet forums. So I signed up for the political/law class. The name of the professor was Daniel Jaws. He was strict gentleman that valued the rules. He said a civilization without rules was no civilization at all.  During his semester we learned about the British government and law. He started the semester with a trip to the British parliament.

The trip to the British parliament was a good way to get to know another. MR Daniel assigned us to a travel buddy. My buddy went by the name of  Kenny even tho he was Chinese, he was a skinny Asian boy, and his favorite subjects were math and international law. Kenny told me that his father worked as a businessman. He told me that he wanted to be the next Bill Gates.

When we first arrived to the British parliament, we met our guide. The tour guide was a middle-aged man with a strange tie, his name was Mr.Snape. He explained the British political system and told us  everything that we needed to know for our quiz on politics in the UK . The first stop on our  tour was to talk with the government officials they told us the following about executive branch of the British government.

The government runs the country. It has responsibility for developing and implementing policy and for drafting laws. It is also known as the Executive.

The parliament is the highest legislative authority in the UK. It has responsibility for checking the work of government and examining, debating and approving new laws. It is also known as the Legislature.

The political party that wins the most seats in a general election forms the new government, led by their party leader - who becomes Prime Minister. The Prime Minister appoints ministers, including the Cabinet, who often work in a government department, and run and develop public services and policies.

Government ministers are chosen from MPs and Lords in Parliament. Your MP may be a member of the party forming the current Government, but it doesn't necessarily mean they are working 'in government'. Ministers must regularly respond to oral and written questions from MPs and Lords.

Parliament checks the work of the government on behalf of UK citizens through investigative select committees and by asking government ministers questions. The House of Commons also has to approve proposals for government taxes and spending.

Each year the government informs Parliament of its plans for new legislation in the Queen's Speech. New legislation is usually introduced in the form of a Bill that must be debated and approved by Parliament before it can become an Act of Parliament - the government needs the support of the majority of the House of Commons to function.

We returned to Oxford at about 7pm after a long day at the British parliament. The next morning our English teacher gave us a new assignment to read a novel. 

We often described our English teacher as an old woman. Her name didn’t really help her either. Her name was MS Longbottom. She was strict, we used to say that she ruled the classroom with an iron-fist. Every other week she told us to start reading novels, and the first one we read was “Pillars of the earth”.  By Ken Follett, our task was to connect the dots between the modern British society and the middle of the 12th century culturally and historically.

Sources;

Read 20^th March 2014 the British parliament:   http://www.parliament.uk/

Read 20^th March 2014 Pillars of the earth: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pillars_of_the_Earth

Read 19^th of March the British parliament:

 http://ndla.no/en/node/2557

Picture source pillars of the earth: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PillarsOfTheEarth.jpg

Picture source British parliament : http://ukhumanrightsblog.com/2011/04/11/the-sovereignty-of-parliament-and-property-this-weeks-human-rights-roundup/

For your best, Son!

Hello People!

I`m going to write about the “For your best, Son” that is an excerpt from the novel “In the Presence of the Enemy” by Elizabeth George.

Elizabeth George was born in America but lives partly in California and partly in London. She has won several awards for her crime novels, most of which are set in England. When I was a exchange at Oxford University did I want to read some English books and I had heard that Elisabeth George had written a lot of good books.

“For your best, Son” is about a conflict between the newspaper editor Denis Luxford and his wife Fiona.  He wants to send his young son Leo to the public school he himself went to, while Fiona thinks Leo will be better off staying at home and continuing at his present school with friends. Luxford takes his son out for lunch to talk to him about going away to Baverstock. Denis says that it`s a privilege to go to a school like Baverstoch, but Leo says that he`s to little. A public school is open to the community or the people. Public schools in England are also known as private schools. 10% attend to public schools. But the public schools are not open to the public but they have had a crucial impact on British society, though their ideals and morals and in the early 1400s who intended to educate local boys from relatively poor and humble backgrounds.

In the excerpt “For your best, Son” from the novel “In the Presence of the Enemy” Leo`s father want Leo to attend to the boarding school Baverstock. Baverstock is a public school and it`s really expensive to attend to that school and other public schools like Oxford that I am attending to. Many of the students at the public schools have to have a really rich family and most of the students attend to the Elite class, as I do. The Elite class is characteristics by that they are the UK`s biggest earners, they have highest, social, cultural and economic factors. This group is exclusive and very hard to join, most come from very privileged backgrounds. 6& of the population in England attend to the Elite class. Many people say that it`s a privilege to go to a boarding school and it`s also proved that you will do it much better on a boarding than a state school. Therefore did I choose to go on a boarding school.

 



The Baverstock has school uniforms like Oxford University, but they are different. Each school has it`s own school uniform.  Schools uniforms in England were first introduced during the reign of King Henry VIII (8). The uniforms of the time consisted of long trench-coat-style jackets dyed blue. Blue was the cheapest available dye. Today, boys are wearing long grey or black trousers, white shirt, school tie, jumper or sweater with the school logo on and black shoes. Girls are wearing the same but they are wearing skirts or dresses in the summer.

 

 

The Baverstock`s uniform

 

Oxford`s uniform

 



Leo`s father says that schools have everything to do with class. They have everything to do with meeting the right people  and making the right connections and learning the right accent and making sure one`s clothing, posture, outside activities, choice of career and attitude towards everyone else can be labelled. At Oxford I meet students that really want to learn and they are getting very good grades. At state schools there are more people that don`t care about their grades. You can find students like this on many boarding schools, also at the Baverstock. Also, state schools are nastier than boarding schools, which are mostly because boarding schools have more money to spend. To choose the right school has everything to do with meeting the right people and making the right connections and learning the right accent.

 

 

On boarding schools it`s a lot of multiculturalism. Students from more than a hundred and forty countries make up a students population of over twenty thousand. Over a third comes from outside the United Kingdom. This is a very good opportunity for students to get friends from many countries. On state schools there are not that many students that come from other countries, often because located students attend to located state schools.

“For your best Son” seems like a very good book. The book relates a lot about the culture and society in England, and it`s very interesting to read about the English culture and society. You can learn lots of information about the school system, the social classes and public and state schools. “For your best Son” abrogates a conflict between Leo`s mother and father, they discuss which school Leo should attend to. His mother thinks a state school is best, but his father thinks a boarding school is best.

Good bye:)

 

Sources:

 

       -          English Public Schools, read 19/3-2014

http://ndla.no/en/node/4455?fag=42&meny=2055#

-          Uk-education, read 20/3-2014

http://ndla.no/en/node/6019?fag=42&meny=2055

-          Class calculator, read 22/3-2014

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22000973



FOOD AND DRINKS!

Hello again!

In the past year we have tasted very different good food and drinks. Britain is very famous for its food and drink tradition, and today I`m going to talk about that, enjoy!

Most people think of British food as a blend of kitchens from all over the world, and that`s true. Many people got their first experience from Indian food or kebabs in London. Even the tradition baked potatoes can be stuffed with Tikka Chicken masala. The reason why, is because India was a British Colony until the independence in 1947. After the Second World War, the British were more than happy to invite former colonial inhabitants to rebuild Britain. As a result, Britain has restaurant or dishes from practically every place in the world.

Even tough, many dishes and restaurant in Britain are from another country, they also have some specialty. Most people experience when it comes to British dishes are pubs, a pint and a ploughman`s lunch or a kidney pie, or English breakfast at a hotel. The most typical foods eaten in Britain include the sandwich, fish and chips and English breakfast.

Since everyone is dreaming about English breakfast on a British hotel, of course did we have to taste English breakfast. A weekend in the winter took we the bus to London and slept on a hotel one night. Our expectations to the food were huge, and we were very exited to taste. The food looked great, but I think it was too heavy in the early morning. But I can at least brag, because I have tasted a really English breakfast at a Hotel in London.

An English Breakfast is usually consisting of bacon, sausages, eggs, often served with a variety of side dishes and a beverage such as coffee or tea.

An English breakfast:

 

Sandwich is another typical food in Britain and of course did we taste sandwiches as well. The sandwich originates from John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich (1718-1792). The Sandwich has developed a lot from the 1700s. Now you can buy a Sandwich ready made in plastic containers at Marks and Spencer, at restaurants and take – aways or you can prepare it at home. You can make or buy a lot of different sandwiches and I think my favorite is a sandwich with ham and vegetables.

Sandwich:

 

The original British fast food is fish and chips. The dish has been very popular among the working classes since the last part of the 19th century, because the dish was cheap and easily available. The two most important or the only ingredients in the dish are fish and potatoes. The fish is fried in batter or breadcrumbs and served with deep fried chipped potatoes. Traditionally, the fish and chips were wrapped up in newspapers. However, health authorities gradually banned newspapers as wrapping since it might lead to lead poisoning.

Fish and chips:

In Britain, pubs are very popular, and you find pubs everywhere, no matter how small the village is. In fact there are 57 000 of them. Pubs are no longer a typical male area, they are also popular for family outings, like pub lunches. A pub is a meeting place and a social centre for the local community where people meet to discuss political problems and local affairs, and to share good laugh. A lot of the pubs offer big screen sports and entertainment, like a weekly pub quiz. The food served in pubs is often called pub grub and is affordable and not too complicated. Depending on the time of day, they often offer Ploughman’s Lunch, soup of the day, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, battered cod with chips and peas and steak and kidney pie. It is in the Pub you will discover the soul of Britain.

Red Lion Pub:

 

 

 

Tea is a known Britain tradition too. Tea is a very special treat to prepare for your family and friends. This tradition is said to been stared around 1849 by Duchess Anna Maria, who entertained her friends in the blue drawing Room at Woburn abbey. Tea is usual taken between 3 and 5 o`clock. This tradition is still kept up in all the fine hotels in Britain and in little tearooms all around the country. In Britain, the drinking of tea is so varied that is quite hard to generalise, but usually it is served with milk and sometimes with lemon. Since I have milk allergy, I have little sugar and sometimes lemon in my tea. I love tea, so I think, when I was in England, that I was drinking tea almost every day, either to breakfast or at a cafe to lunch.

Tea with some accessories:

As I told you earlier, we have tasted a lot of different food and drinks in the past year. Something was very good, while other things don’t taste as good as I though and hope. One thing that I really loved was the tea. I love tea and I think the different types of English tea were absolutely fantastic. I also think that some of the sandwiches were really good, like for example sandwich with ham and vegetables. One thing that I didn`t like was English breakfast, it was to heavy on the morning. Fish and chips was okay. 

I hope you have learned more about food and drinks in England.
BYE;)

 

Sources:

-         Haugen, Hellevi m.fl. (2009), Targets, H. Aschehoug & CO

-         Huseby, Eli (no date), read 18.03.14
http://ndla.no/en/node/54166?fag=42&meny=2055

-         Smith, Paul, (12.04.13), read 18.03.14

http://www.localnomad.com/en/blog/2013/04/12/10-traditional-british-dishes-and-where-to-taste-them-in-london/

Hello every one

My name is Phillip. I live in Norway with my family, I have 2 sisters and one brother and my parents are divorced. I also have a dog named Raw Beef, and a cat named Captain Buggers. I like to spend my time with friends and outdoors. My friends would describe me as sports “enthusiast”. I have always enjoyed watching sports. However, I also enjoy competing. The relationship that I have with sports is complicated. I have been competing in different sports since I was a toddler, the range spreads from swimming, soccer, tennis, gymnastics, running track and my latest obsession is rowing. I have been rowing for about 6 years now, won the u23 EM in 2012, our quad had the best time of all the competing nations.

Sport in itself is nothing, but with the system backing you that makes all the difference in the world. We can see that sports all around the world used to be biased and irrational, although the past has not been that satisfying for many people. But nowadays the sport arena has been opened for everyone, regardless of skin color, belief and ethnic origin. This has made sports a public interest, and entertaining for everyone.

I would say that the British people are over average interested in sports. There are many different sports that are practiced in the UK. However, the sports they are most known for is cricket, rugby, soccer and rowing. All of the British public university’s compete in tease sports. Many people are inspired by the atheist, because of their mentality and their willingness to that represents their university. sports is a cultural event that gives extra promotions that people with all different ethicality  can work together as a united force. Sport is used as a tool to unite people. The different universities are using sports to gather fans, tourists and visitors, which works as a tool to unite people of different origins and cultures.

I applied to the University of Oxford because they focus on the academic as well as sport. I also have friends that attend to the school. They told me that the university really supports their athletes, which was a deciding factor for me. The University of Oxford has a large pool of sports that any student can apply for.

When I first arrived in London I set on a grope with other Norwegian exchange students. Their names were Kristine, Ida. We were taken on a tour by the Oxford welcoming comity. They showed us how to have a good time in London. We quickly learned that London was a metropolis, that attracted people from all over the world. London is also as known for being the capital of education and sporting events in the UK, offering countless opportunities.Within the first week I had gone to three soccer matches and one rowing regatta which was in the Thames river. 

 The senior rowing crew explained what values that were charged within the sporting community at Oxford. They told me that “Fair Play” was top priority.  Fair play is a codex which explains how you should behave during a sporting event. To be precise they told me this, fair play is the unwritten and the written rules which is made so that everyone has the same ability to compete in their sport, and exercise fair play means that we will participate with a positive honest attitude, which is running at any time and foremost to be honest when looking violation of the rules. Fair play is out of tolerance in connection with sport and exercise.

The environment was something different, by the end of the year I had a tone of new friends from all over the world the students that attended the school were from prestigious families that could open doors later for me in life. The culture was something different from what we were used to in Norway. The students looked out for one another although the competition was harder than we were used to, both academically and when it came to sport.

The year went by too fast, I had learned so much yet so little. I would recommend to everyone that can to apply for the exchange program at the University of Oxford. I had a blast I bet you will have a blast too. It’s not just about learning it’s about how you’re exposed to different cultures and learn from them. Oxford will educate you, and form you into a prestige member of the society.



Sources:
read 10/3-2014
http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/videos/129071/euro-2012-england-1-0-ukraine-england-edge-hosts-to-face-azzurri-in-last-eight-photos-highlights.html read 9/3-2014
http://www.sport.ox.ac.uk/sport/mens-lightweight-rowing/ 8/3-2014
 http://mostbeautifulplacesintheworld.org/?p=3110 8-3/2014

Dress code in England

Hello!

England has very special clothes in relation to Norway. The clothes in England have been a part of the culture for a long time. Clothes are part of the British image, bowler hats, Scottish kilts and policemen`s helmets, are all images of Britain that are recognized worldwide. In general British people are not very interested in clothes, in fact they spend less money on clothes than the people of many other European countries. Still, British street fashion is setting trends all over the world. The British fashion scene is also known for being daring, do you find shorter skirts, more daring color combinations and more experimental hair styles than in Britain.

The businessman`s uniform include traditional dark grey and dark blue suits are less in evidence then i the past, except for sectors such as the law and banking and finance. Women in management positions often wear dark suits and blouses. Formal appearance has introduced a “dress down” which allows employees to wear “smart casual”. “Smart casual” is difficult to describe tends to be on the conservative side. The businessman`s uniform, dark suit and tie, is disappearing in many workplaces. Instead comes a more informal no-tie dress policy. Her you can se a picture of the businessman`s uniform.

Her are the businessman’s uniform:

 

 

In British schools, school uniforms are required. Each school has its own colures and styles, and this dress code must be followed rather strictly.  Schools uniforms in England were first introduced during the reign of King Henry VIII (8). The uniforms of the time consisted of long trench-coat-style jackets dyed blue. Today, boys are wearing long grey or black trousers, white shirt, school tie, jumper or sweater with the school logo on and black shoes. Girls are wearing the same but they are wearing skirts or dresses in the summer.

Today, the Government believes that the uniforms play a important part of the culture. Many students on schools in England say that uniforms show that you are part of an organization and I`m in agreement with that. I think that when they are wearing the school uniforms it says that they are all in this together. School systems are debating whether to require students to wear uniforms to eliminate conflicts with dress code infractions, social and economic status, behavioral issues and sexual tension between students. Educators feel that requiring a school uniform will help students to build self-respect, discipline, character, community and a sense of pride.

 

Her are a school uniform in England:

 



 

Ladies are kindly reminded that formal daywear is a requirement in the Royal Enclosure. The dresses and skirts should be of modest length defined as falling just above the knee or longer. Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater. Jackets and pashminas may be worn, but the dresses and tops underneath should still comply with the Royal Enclosure dress code. Trouser suits are welcome. They should be full length and of matching material and color. Hats should be worn.

Gentlemen are kindly reminded it is a requirement to wear black or grey morning dress, which must include are a waistcoat, tie, black or grey hat and black shoes. A gentleman may remove his hat within a restaurant, a private box, a private club or that facility’s terrace, balcony or garden. Hats may also be removed within any enclosed external seating area within the Royal Enclosure Garden. The customization of top hats (with, for example, colored ribbons or bands) is not permitted in the Royal Enclosure.

Girls aged 10-16 should dress for a formal occasion. Smart summer dresses are suggested. Hats, headpieces and fascinators may be worn but are not compulsory.

Boys aged 10-16 should dress in accordance with the gentlemen`s dress code, or may wear a dark colored lounge suit with a shirt and tie.

Her are some clothes the Royal are wearing:

 

 

 

Black tie is sometimes referred to as “dinner jackets” or “dress for dinner”. Traditional black tie for men consist of black wool dinner jacket, black trousers, white shirt, black bow, black shoes, black socks and white silk scarf. Ladies wear a smart dress (such as a cocktail dress). It needs to be black.

The black tie and dress:

Kate Moss is an iconic English supermodel and fashion designer, born in England. Moss influence on the fashion world is unmatchable. She has also introduced the world to Calvin Klein. On 1 May 2007, a collection of clothes designed by Moss exclusively for the Topshop clain were launched across the UK in the chain`s 225 stores. Topshop reportedly paid Moss 3 million pounds for her work. The collection included clothes, bags, shoes and belts, where prices range from 12 pound for a vest top to 150 pound for a cropped leather jacket.

In early 2010, it was revealed that she had designed a range of handbags for luxury goods house Longchamp. Right now, Moss creates another collection for Top Shop. The collection will launch in April 2014, and will be made up of around 40 pieces including ready to wear, accessories and footwear to be sold in 40 countries.

 Moss said of her new collection: 'I have really missed being involved in the design process, and working with the team at Topshop. I am very excited to create a new collection that bears my name. Now more than ever with London being at the forefront of fashion as it feels like I’m back home working with Topshop.' It's unsurprising that this feels like home for the supermodel as she has designed 14 collections for the high street mecca, up until her last offering in 2010.

Kate Moss has inspired many people in England and other countries. She`s a huge inspirator for me and many other girls.

 Kate Moss:

 

 



England has a lot of dress codes and they are playing a very important part in the British culture. If your not British it`s not that easy to know when you should were the different  dress codes.

Sources:

-        Schools uniforms, read 06.03.2014 http://www.ehow.com/about_6601045_interesting-school-uniforms.html#ixzz2vAvPDcAF

-          The dress code in UK, read 05.03.2014

http://www.ascot.co.uk/the-dress-code

-         Kate Moss, read 06.03.2014

http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/fashion/news/omg-kate-moss-designs-new-collection-for-topshop

 

 

 

The University of Oxford

Hello People!

This year Kristine, Phillip and I are exchange students at the University of Oxford in England. The University of Oxford is a boarding school, that means we study and live at the school during the school year. This is very expensive and only the Elite class afford to the school. We took The Great British class calculator on BBC.com, and found out that we belong to the Elite class. Some characteristics for the Elite Class are that they score highest for social, cultural and economic factors, many went to private school and elite universities, the class is most likely to be found in London and the group is exclusive and very hard to join. 

Oxford was the first University in the English – speaking world. Students from more than a hundred and forty countries and territories make up a student population of over twenty thousand. Over a third comes from outside the United Kingdom. The University of Oxford is located at the top of Headington Hill, and in the vicinity of South Park, and not far from downtown. In addition, the city is only one hour from London. Sinces the University is located in the South England, there are a lot of farming, modern technology and economics. 

The school is absolutely amazing. When I first saw it, I was shocked. The school look like a castle. The school and the area around are so big. The campus is so lovely and recently renovated. It includes a library, a laboratory, a fully equipped gymnasium, cafeteria and student lounge and multimedia classrooms, computer rooms, on campus dormitory and wireless internet. The area around campus is a popular student area with student cafes, restaurants and shops. The campus and the area around have all you can dream about.

Here is a picture of the school:

 













Oxford is a unique and an amazing place to be a student, with plenty to enjoy both on and off campus. The university of Oxford has many offers after school hours or/and in the weekends. You can join the clubs, activities or excursions and make every moment count. The school has a wide range, so that everyone feels that they find something that suits them. The school has a range of clubs and activities develop interpersonal skills and abilities in leadership and collaboration, and at the same time it tends creativity and cultural diversity. The clubs are also a great way for students to make new friends and have fun. Student organized clubs and events include a lot of different things, like:  

-       Boxing, Cooking, Rugby, football

-       Photography

-       Art Exhibitions/ Photography Exhibitions

-       School newspaper “The Badger” produced by students

-       Celebration of “Red Nose Day” for raising money for charity

-       Sports Olympics

-       Graduation and summer Ball

-       Spanish Culture Wait

-       Lunar New Year

-       Debate club

-       International Day

-       Rock Band and Music Society.

In addition to the clubs, you can also join different excursions, as I told earlier. For example Blenheim Palace, Bristol, Oxford Literary Festival, Fela, London West End – National theatre and Ashmoleum Museum.

And if you ask me, you can`t get any better offers than you can get on Oxford. With all the offers, you will guarantee find something that suit best for you and something that you like. When I first heard about the different clubs, I couldn’t decide which one I should choose, because it was so many different and interesting clubs. After little reflects I decided to join the Sports Olympics and the cooking club.

Oxford is a school that is absorbed of sports and activities. In addition to clubs, and the excursions, the school has a row competition. The regatta competition is called The Boat Race and it is between Oxford and Cambridge.

Here is a picture from the regatta competition:

The academic year at Oxford University runs from October to June. The year is divided into three eight week terms, Michaelmas (autumn), Hilary (spring), and Trinity (summer).  

At Oxford University, as every other university in England, you have to wear a uniform. The girls have to wear a white formal long or short sleeved blouse, black plain smart formal knee – length pleated skirt or trousers and black socks and shoes. Muslim girls can wear a hijab, but the hijab must be in black.

The boys need to wear a white formal long or short sleeved shirt, black plain smart formal trousers and black plain socks. The boys and the girls also have a common rule and that is, that they couldn`t have more than one small stud earring and a watch, no extreme hairstyles.

I think its fine to have a uniform. When you have a uniform, you never have trouble figuring out what to wear and you will never experience the fashion press. Perfect! In addition, your regular clothes will be even cooler to wear, since you don`t use the clothes at school.

As a funny fact at the end:
Did you know that Oxford has one of the lowest drop-out rates in the UK?  Figures published in March 2012 by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show that only 1.6% of Oxford students dropped out, compared with the national average of 8.6%.

Bye;)




Sources:

-       University of Oxford (07.02.14) read 05.03.14
http://www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/facts_and_figures/index.html

-       University of Oxford North American Office (no date), read 05.03.14
http://www.oxfordna.org/  

-       EF: Education First (no date), read 05.03.14
http://www.ef.no/ia/campuses/oxford-campus/

Oxford Spires Academy (no date), read 05.03.14 http://www.oxfordspiresacademy.org/aboutus/academyuniform/uniformguidelines.aspx