My Wroxton Experience! Past Review

By (Drama, Theater, Theatre Arts, Fairleigh Dickinson University) - abroad from 01/25/2018 to 05/14/2018 with

Fairleigh Dickinson University: Oxfordshire - Semester at Wroxton College

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Wroxton definitely challenges you academically, but it also teaches you a lot about yourself. A lot of people that I have spoken to told me that Wroxton teaches you about who you truly are as a student and person. After my semester, I can say this to be true. You learn that you should do that things that you want to do and you are capable of going out on your own or with friends to do them. I was the only theater major form my program that went during the Spring 2018 semester and I left that abbey with 30 more friends that were basically family by the time we all left. Although I was nervous to go, I am forever grateful that I did and I got to experience all that Wroxton has to offer. It really is the experience that you make it to be!

Review Photos

Fairleigh Dickinson University: Oxfordshire - Semester at Wroxton College Photo Fairleigh Dickinson University: Oxfordshire - Semester at Wroxton College Photo Fairleigh Dickinson University: Oxfordshire - Semester at Wroxton College Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Wroxton, being on a different educational system, really challenges you as a student. The professors there want to get the best work out of you possible and, though they may be tough, they are always there to help. Every student there spends many nights in the libraries, but you learn to work together to support each other and help each other succeed. With all of the exciting trips that were planned, I always made sure to use them as motivation to get my school work done so I would be able to enjoy my time exploring abroad.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Dean Baldwin and the entire faculty and staff at Wroxton college were wonderful! We were always informed of schedules, events, and deadlines in a timely fashion so that we could best be prepared. John was an awesome driver to all of our more local events and trips into town!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my room that I was in! Each room was so unique and it made exploring the abbey so much fun! My housekeeper Vicky was so nice and considerate. We really got to know each other and she was always a pleasant face to see during the day.

* Food:

The food service was a lot better quality than I had expected. Everything was made fresh and there were plenty of options at each meal time. The meal staff were always friendly and made sure that we each got a full meal. Even when certain students had to leave early for trips, they made sure to have their meals ready earlier or a packed meal set to go. Tea time was probably my favorite time of day, but that's to be expected!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

With every member of the staff and faculty being from England, I felt very integrated with the culture. With the grounds being open to the public, it was fun to be able to talk to some of the local people as well.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was fortunate to not have any major health problems during my time abroad other than maybe a common cold. I was able to find an equivalent medication in town and was on my way to being better.

* Safety:

Wroxton is such a safe space that it eventually feels like a second home. Only students, staff, faculty, and registered guests are allowed to enter the building. When leaving the abbey for trips to other cities or countries, we were always advised by Dean Baldwin or the supervising chaperone on any safety protocols.

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

This program offers you so much more than a global education. Each weekend is packed with trips to different places around Wroxton, so you really get to see a lot of England during your stay beyond just Wroxton and London. Accommodations, like travel and hotels for longer trips, are taken care of by the school, which made traveling more enjoyable.

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)

I found it relatively easy to budget myself while abroad. I of course splurged on certain trips because of the many once in a lifetime experiences I had, but maintained a good budget for everyday purchases. Working with my friends to book travel break hotels was helpful in keeping costs at a minimum.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around $100-130
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Use AirBnB locations as long as they are verified. Splurge on the things that are important to you though because you will only have the one experience.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Day trips and extended weekend trips to Edinburgh and Paris
  • Location and grounds
  • Overall atmosphere and community built between students and faculty/staff
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known a little bit more about how the educational system worked, like what are the similarities and differences.

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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

The Anatomy of Britain

Course Department:
Instructor: Dean Baldwin
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course is taken by all students at Wroxton, and as I like to call it "How to be British". You really do learn a lot about the culture and history in this class which I liked taking during the course of my stay. Being in the Honors program at FDU, I had to write papers of extra length for this class, but it was nothing to extensive from the regular classwork.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

To Hold a Mirror Up To Nature

Course Department: English
Instructor: Mason & Parsons
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Being a theater major, I really enjoyed this class. It was a small class (only 2 students) so we got to have a lot of nice discussions during class time. I felt that this helped me to understand the course material better. Both professors were wonderful to learn from and I really built a good relationship with both of them.
Credit Transfer Issues: