Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Dreamlike Year Abroad Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Wellesley College) - abroad from 10/06/2014 to 06/23/2015 with

Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford - Visiting Students Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Incredibly worthwhile, I gained the drive to return to my senior year refreshed and invigorated with more drive. I also made friends and had a truly ridiculous amount of fun.

Review Photos

University of Oxford: Lady Margaret Hall - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

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.

Personalized tutorials once a week with several different tutors (each representing a different subject). I greatly appreciated the personalized attention and guidance, and once time management is in hand then it becomes a very comfortable (but still challenging) cycle.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I always felt that if I had any questions or queries they would be answered immediately by the Visiting Student Coordinator. Other than that I was treated with the care that LMH treats any of their students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had my own room, very large and comfortable with two big windows. I loved living in a hall with lots of English students. However, I wish I had been housed with second year students rather than first years, only because they are closer in age and would be better able to show me around Oxford.

* Food:

Wide variety of fresh, high quality food. Good salad bar, amazing chips. Definitely better than my home institution, but still slightly redundant at times.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Very well integrated, I felt like one of the regular students at LMH. People have to ask whether you're a visiting student or not which is the best case scenario!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

So wonderfully amazingly accessible. I was blown away. The college nurse was on duty every day and could provide you with basic things like ibuprofen or alka seltzer or bandaids and antiseptic. I had a nasty fall and broke my nose and had to get stitches in my chin and the nurse drove me to the hospital for all my appointments, which were all completely free. As a student staying there for over 6 months I registered with the NHS and was completely covered for all accidents, and even birth control.

* Safety:

Very safe, I always felt comfortable although I've been told about some late night muggings of drunk students on their way back from clubs.

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)

It was really hard, because the exchange rate to pounds was overwhelmingly bad.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $80
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? open a british bank account!

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
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Other
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?
  • Oxford--the city itself
  • Traveling around Europe
  • The friends I made
* What could be improved?
  • Financial aid clarity
  • Living with second year students
  • moving out of your room at the end of every term
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had brought less stuff with me so I could travel more lightly and easily!

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'