Fabulous Oxford Experience in the Centre of the City! Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/04/2014 to 12/13/2014 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My confidence in my writing and my writing and researching skills improved vastly. I also learnt how to accommodate living in a space with a few dozen other students and gained confidence in putting myself outside my comfort zone to really enjoy my time abroad

Review Photos

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (CMRS): Oxford - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Middlebury Schools Abroad: Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (CMRS): Oxford - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academic rigor at Oxford is challenging, but it is incredibly gratifying and is manageable. The focus of your education at Middlebury-CMRS is on producing written work regularly and utilising the facilities offered at Keble College Library, the Feneley Library, and the Bodleian libraries. There is a component of the programme that is additional to the typical Oxford workload- the Seminar. Although you do not attend regular lectures and take exams like typical Oxford students, you will attend a seminar every week which culminates in a 4000 word paper after Michaelmas term ends.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The programme is small, but the administration works hard to provide students with support in all aspects and is very responsive to student concerns.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The location was perfect- in the centre of the city, near the Bod and the Radcliffe Camera- and the facilities were more than adequate. It can be easy to become isolated as most tutorials and seminars are conducted inside the building, so a student needs to be deliberate in making plans to go out and explore, which is relatively easy because Oxford is a compact city and is very fun to explore!

* Food:

You cook for yourself in the fully-equipped kitchen located in the Junior Common Room. There are supermarkets, cafés, and farmers markets all within a five- or ten-minute walk.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

As I noted above, it is easy to let yourself become isolated, but the administration not only encourages students to join Oxford societies and clubs but also is willing to recommend places to visit in the city. If you join a college club or society or decide to join the vast array of classes (like swing dance, Scottish dance, and more) you will certainly become integrated with the local college. The main thing is to get yourself outside the building and your comfort zone!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Administration is very helpful and can direct students to an array of professionals to help sort things out whilst at Oxford. It is important to note that many professionals are associated with CMRS and are trained to deal with issues on a short timeline, as most students are only there for a term.

* Safety:

I felt perfectly safe in the city, even in the late evening. I walked across the city very early in the morning to crew practice and always felt at ease. Students should always be aware and avoid places that seem unsafe, just like in any city.

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)

You need to plan ahead- that is the key. You can live on a student's budget, despite the unfavourable exchange rate, if you spend your money sensibly. It helps to join in with a few other students to cook together, as that can help save money. I recommend taking out as much cash as you plan to spend in a week or two and keep card use to a minimum. Europe is also switching to using credit cards with smart chips in them, so a card that swipes can sometimes give you trouble.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-$150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Hit the sale shelves at Tesco and Sainsbury's, and consider buying fresh veggies and fruits at the open market at Gloucester Green- sometimes their prices are better than at the supermarket. Set aside a separate budget for going out with friends- if you don't keep tabs on what you are spending on non-essential items, it can drain your bank account. Splurge on things that matter to you- you only study abroad once!

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Academic rigor
  • Central location
  • Living in the city of Oxford
* What could be improved?
  • Integration of British-style tutorials with American-style seminars
  • Consistency of information to students before they arrive (college sports, more detailed structure of programme, etc)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known more about the extent of my relationship to Oxford. I was a little shy about seeking out library facilities outside the typical Bodleian, Feneley, and Radcliffe Camera libraries and could have spent a lot of time in places like the English Faculty Library.

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:

Viking Culture and Literature

Course Department: Lit
Instructor: Antje Frotscher
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was challenging and absolutely delightful. The tutorial offered a sweeping study of Old Norse literature and orientated me with Old Norse society and culture through its literature.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues