Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A challenging and invigorating academic challenge. January 03, 2024

By (Humanities, Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/04/2023 to 04/15/2024 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Deeper reading & writing skills, patience, local culture

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.

One of the highest quality of education I have had in my life.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Small rooms that are not quite enough space for a double. Only one kitchen amongst all 30+ of us made it always crowded and unpleasant

* Food:

Limited meal credit at Keble dining hall.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

You need to reach out to the local clubs but otherwise, it is nearly impossible to integrate organically.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Never had to use it but seemed good.

* 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)

Things are pretty expensive in Oxford, especially for someone who went out to pubs and clubs on the weekend like myself.

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
* 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?
  • Libraries
  • Quality of Education
  • Oxford local student I met through clubs
* What could be improved?
  • More advertisement about its academic rigor and time that it takes
  • Easier integration with local students
  • More food credit at the dining hall
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The program requires nearly all of your week to spend time on the academics.

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:

Political Philosophy II
Course Department:
Instructor: Philippa Byrne
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The readings were challenging and interesting, the teacher was very knowledgable and well-prepared. The teacher was often too forgiving of some student's lack of effort and seriousness in class participation, which made it hard to sit through sometimes. But I blame that more on the students than the teacher. Otherwise, a very smart teacher who taught us very interesting readings and content. I was accessed well with well-integrated 2hr seminars and a long paper in the end of the semester.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

International Relations
Course Department:
Instructor: Paul Hansbury
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very informative, engaging, challenging. The teacher was an expert at the field and offered very insightful lessons and critiques.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

History of Economic Thoughts
Course Department:
Instructor: Edward Hadas
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Challenging and extremely interesting material. The teacher was very knowledgable and a great conversationalist. We chatted a very long time each class deeply about the material. His assessment felt a bit harsh and condescending, however.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.