Amazing Academic Experience! Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/31/2016 to 12/10/2016 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was not a cultural enlightening experience, but the academics made it all worth it!

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.

The academics were absolutely incredible! Loved every minute of the learning experience at CMRS. It was an incredible experience that I would gladly do again.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration, however, were very disappointing. If you are not studying subjects directly related to Renaissance/Medieval studies (e.g. Economics), prepare for a difficult time. Nevertheless, do not let that deter you.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Prime location, with all the necessities you needed.

* Food:

Cooked for myself rather than eating at the college dining halls. This was due to the 10 minute walk, and the lack of edible food that you were likely to find at the other end. It was a nice community in the kitchen, which made cooking even better!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I met plenty of locals! Loved spending time in a local pub watching Premier League and rugby games. I made lots of friends that way.Other Oxford students, on the other hand, were quite difficult to get to know on a personal level. Although I was actively involved in a dance group, football team, and a number of other societies, students were so busy that it was hard to get to know them and be involved in the typical Oxford social scene.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Had a dental emergency. The administration was no help whatsoever, but the dental practice was great!

* Safety:

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)

If you don't eat out, and don't frequent cafes, you will do absolutely fine.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? £150

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

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • Academics
  • Networking
* What could be improved?
  • Administration
  • Being closer to college campus
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Prepare to organize your time meticulously so that you can get all the work done, whilst also having fun.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Research Paper

Course Department: History
Instructor: Glyn Redworth
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Terrible. Didn't like the topic I had chosen, and so chose for me. Made me do a research paper on a topic that I had never heard of before, and in a field that I was not passionate about (English Literature). The research took even longer as I had to learn the literary techniques, and also a bit of Latin for good measure, before I could even begin writing a thesis statement let alone the paper. This process could have definitely been better explained by the administration prior to arrival.
Credit Transfer Issues: Will not count for anything as it is outside my major.
Course Name/Rating:

International Economic Governance

Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Catherine Oporte-Oshiro
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Really knowledgable professor that challenged me on all of my preconceptions. Extremely heavy workload, but well worth all the effort.
Credit Transfer Issues: In the end, my department head (International Politics & Economics) counted this as a political science course (PSCI0304).
Course Name/Rating:

French

Course Department: French
Instructor: Stephen Goddard
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Best professor a student could ask for. We met three times a week, and did different language exercises each session from translating, to vocabulary tests, to conversational French, to reviewing the essay that I had written for that week.
Credit Transfer Issues: None.
Course Name/Rating:

Political Philosophy

Course Department: Politics/History
Instructor: Sophie Nicholls
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very challenging, but intriguing topics.
Credit Transfer Issues: