Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Most Excellent Year Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 10/06/2013 to 06/21/2014 with

St Anne's College, University of Oxford - Visiting Students Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was *definitely* worthwhile, and I do hope to be able to go back for graduate study. Among the things I gained from my year at St. Anne's is probably the experiential realisation that learning is far more enjoyable when it is conducted within an academic system that stresses in-depth, consistent work as well as in-depth discussion with Tutors, rather than grades and performance. I thoroughly enjoyed studying ("reading") at St. Anne's.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

St. Anne's provides single rooms to all students (visiting students included). Visiting students are housed with St. Anne's second-year students. The room I was assigned was larger and brighter than any room I've had in the US, and many visiting students I met reported a similar experience. Each room is provided with a sink, but bathrooms and showers are shared. One kitchen on each floor.

* Food:

The quality of the food served in the dining-hall was generally very good, and excellent at many formal dinners.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

At the beginning of the academic year, visiting students are required to register with a local GP. The Jericho Health Centre, where a number of GP practices are located, is less than a 5-minute walk from St. Anne's. A College nurse is also available in the College premises, though not over the weekends.

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Roughly 60 GBP.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

I took only literature courses ("Papers") in the language I studied, and thus I cannot comment on language classes. Since the literature courses ("papers") in modern languages require a high level of engagement with both primary and secondary sources in the language, one is encouraged to use the language very often, i.e. whenever one reads for that course ("paper").

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300-level Seminar
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Academic rigour; focus on depth rather than breadth of learning
  • The tutorial system
  • Beauty of the town
* What could be improved?
  • Although the College library at St. Anne's is one of the largest in terms of books, the space for reading is rather limited.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Before I left for Oxford, one common stereotype which a number of people reported to me depicted the University as a place peopled mostly with pompous, snobbish students and unapproachable tutors. This stereotype is simply false. Like any other large university, Oxford is incredibly diverse, and most people I met at St. Anne's were extremely kind and welcoming. Whilst it is true that tutors do not hold office hours, and are therefore less 'approachable' in this respect, all of my tutors were very responsive to e-mails, and always provided constructively critical feedback on my work.

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!