Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An excellent English experience Past Review

By (English Language and Literature, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/14/2015 to 06/21/2015 with

St Anne's College, University of Oxford - Visiting Students Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I grew up overseas, so moving there wasn't too difficult nor was assimilating. What I think was particularly valuable was reminding myself to pretend to be confident even when I'm not. I think that is a key in life in general.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I did not find the courses to be too challenging. The biggest challenge is simply organizing well (if one does that then it is actually very simple to do well).

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The people at St.Anne's did a fantastic job welcoming and then getting to know the visiting students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I didn't eat too much in college, but whoever I did the food was always very nice. The salad section could have been larger, but the food was very nice overall.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It is easy to get involved in some parts of the culture, but there are subsections that are harder to penetrate. Living in a building with mainly other visiting students makes it somewhat difficult to meet "regular" students, but with enough effort it is possible to integrate. I think it is harder to get involved if you show up in the Spring because if you show up during Freshers week then it is relatively easy to at least get involved in larger communities.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Oxford felt extremely safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The opportunities averrable in the city (theatre, great libraries, museums that are so close, great food)
  • My tutors
  • My peers
* What could be improved?
  • More framed contact with local students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I had known who to contact to get more involved in theatre early on in my first term. I also wish I had known how important it was to be present on in-campus life early on (I got more involved with the theatre scene so my friends were spread across colleges), but it would have been nice to be more college-minded as well.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!