*Study* Abroad Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/05/2017 to 04/15/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more than I have at Middlebury. The tutorial system is something to experience. It's far better than lectures or seminars and even though I entails long hours in the library. The location is top notch. Oxford is an iconic place with a surprising amount of geographic variety and is a short train ride into central London. Honestly this was by far the best semester of my college experience.

Review Photos

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program Photo Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program Photo Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program Photo Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program Photo Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program 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.

This is *study* abroad

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The academic admins are quirky but the best

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The program failed to meet my housing request but they were good accommodations nonetheless

* Food:

Got to learn how to make my own meals. It was cool

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Met a lot of Oxford students through activities and also British and Irish people on the trips

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no problems and was able to buy stuff from the local drug store

* Safety:

A lot of homeless people in Oxford but they were part of the experience

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)

Pretty easily, the supermarket was right around the corner

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
* 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?
  • Tutorials
  • Location
  • Library
* What could be improved?
  • Dining hall
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Bring a coat

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:

Islamic Architecture

Course Department:
Instructor: Peter Nagy
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The tutorial was challenging as I had to teach myself all Islamic politics and history. There were no field trips but the tutor was very cool and had a Hungarian accent. I did more writing and researching than at Middlebury and felt I learned more.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

English Architecture

Course Department: HARC
Instructor: Antony Buxton
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was moderately difficult. There were a few field trips to local buildings since the subject matter exists in the town of Oxford. The teacher was funny and always knowledgeable. I researched a lot for each essay and enjoyed going to the tutorial
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Magic and the Occult

Course Department: HIST
Instructor: Paul Monod
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Not so challenging but the teacher was hilarious. The class was like a standard seminar at Middlebury but each meeting was pretty fun to go to. There was no assessment until the very end when came a final paper
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Independent Paper

Course Department: HIST
Instructor: Paul Monod
Instruction Language: English
Comments: A challenging and entirely independent experience. This was done entirely in the library for many hours each day and culminated 3 1/2 weeks later with a 25-page paper. It was tough but the end result, a long and comprehensive history, made it worthwhile
Credit Transfer Issues: No