Oxford: So much to do, so little time (and little money)! Past Review

By (English, Trinity University) for

Rhodes College: Oxford - British Studies at Oxford

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Well, my future plans are to study abroad there again. I enjoyed being in a historically-rich country.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was pretty challenging (there was a lot of reading). It was difficult to choose between going out to explore and studying (especially when it came down to the last week of class). But if you are good at balancing work and play, you will be fine.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Having your own room was fantastic. There were three of us in my hall, and we all shared a bathroom. The only thing I didn't like was that we had a bathtub instead of a shower.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Globe plays are awesome, and I highly recommend going more than once. English countrysides are beautiful (we saw a lot of that on our field trips).

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I don't recall any incidents involving safety on campus (although it is good to keep up with the news to see if any riots turn up), and the program did tell us to avoid going to some places because they were "at risk areas." As far as health, nothing major happened, just a minor cold that everyone caught of course and some allergies. Nothing that couldn't be solved with over the counter medicine.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? well, every off-campus meal was about 9GBP, so at least 20GBP a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Just note that most off-campus meals are about 9GBP, so plan accordingly. And the average play costs 25GBP when you are not seeing it with the program (Globe standing room, however, is 5GBP), so plan according to your interests.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

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  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

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  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be open to traveling and meeting new people. Always remember to balance work and play, or at times work while you play.