Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An incredible way to experience life at a world-class university. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/03/2019 to 12/14/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to live independently in a new country while navigating an entirely different scholastic curriculum. This program is worthwhile; perhaps even life-changing.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

I would certainly choose the same program as I learned a lot and made many friends. I will greatly miss my friends at Oxford and the tutorial system.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~$75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It is a good idea to have a weekly budget in mind before going into the program. Each week you will need to go grocery shopping. The dining hall is not fully subsidized by the program.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? SPAN 220
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Travel to different regions in the host country. This is a great way to learn different dialects.

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
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Meeting other abroad students
  • Participating in Oxford clubs and societies
  • Taking tutorials
* What could be improved?
  • Access to the dining hall
  • Students' connection with Keble College
  • the scheduling of field trips and talks
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How this experience is once in a lifetime. Live in the moment!

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:

HIST 0860 Revolutionaries in Nineteenth-Century Europe
Course Department: History
Instructor: Michael Drolet
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was very challenging but highly rewarding. The seminar environment opened the class up to friendly debate. The professor was always prepared and pushed us to examine the texts carefully. The weekly readings were extremely interesting and the final paper assignment was a great way to wrap up the course. With the coursework centered on various philosophies from Rousseau to Marx, I gained a good deal of exposure to a wide array of political thought.
Credit Transfer Issues: None.