An experience to remember. Past Review
By Jasmin H (IGCSE's, United World College of South East Asia) - abroad from 07/02/2015 to 07/28/2015 with
Oxbridge Academic Programs: Cambridge - The Cambridge Prep Experience
I learnt a great deal about American culture and my major and minor subjects. I was also able to create lasting bonds with some of the other students. The experience was definitely worthwhile and incredibly enjoyable.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Cambridge prep program offers an incredible variety of subject choices, each as interesting and educational as the last. The teaching staff are talented at articulating different ideas and concepts because of this they are able to teach complex subjects quickly and communicate with the students. The work intensity was relatively medium as you have enough free time to complete the assignments outside of work, however the actual content is very challenging and pushes students to try hard. There are always more activities and the teachers are highly adept at helping the students who can deal with more difficult topics. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The living arrangements were incredibly comfortable, the fact that the rooms were so cosy and made relations between the roommates so easy added to the experience. The rooms were tidy, clean and comfortable, for these reasons I believe the living arrangements were perfectly satisfying. I also believe that staying in the dorm rooms like the university students would adds another dimension to the simulation of a college environment. |
| * Food: |
The food was delicious and came in a great variety. Throughout the day it was an option to buys something to eat. During breakfasts and dinners the choice of foods was incredible, there were always several different dishes from all types of cultures available. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The entire program was incredibly safe, even though we as students were free to explore the city, there was never a safety issue. One of the more enforced rules was that to leave the college each student must be accompanied by a friend. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
I found it difficult to conserve my money as most of the activities I enjoyed were costly, however, that may have been the way I spent my free time as there are many shopping centres scattered around Cambridge. This was also mostly due to the expense of lunches. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Refraining from spending money on items that are not essential, or at least thinking about the use of the item twice before buying it is important, however, there is a street market that is brilliant for souvenirs. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It would have been useful to understand that spending money on items that are not important and that there is a beautiful Chinese dumpling and wonton soup stall in the market (so I could save money and eat some of those delicious dumplings). |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
