Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Epitomizes its title of 'City of Dreaming Spires'- A truly magical world! Past Review

By (International Economics And Finance, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/15/2014 to 06/23/2014 with

St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford - Visiting Students Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to put myself out there, how to take more risks, how to truly hold my ground while conversing with people who have written books on what I am studying. I learned that it was perfectly normal to go to black tie events in castles, how to punt, how to perfectly balance 2 essays a week with 5 nights out. I learned that if you really put an effort to get to know as many people as you can, your efforts will be truly rewarded and you will get to know the most amazing, brilliant, witty, and fun people imaginable! To sum up - although I really had my doubts about joining a university in the middle of the year with no orientation to get to know people, my experiences were more amazing than anything that I could have hoped for. Oxford is teeming with opportunities - the chance to learn from renowned experts, attend some fabulous lectures, attend balls and black tie events every other week, dine in a Harry Potteresque dining hall, and the chance to really absorb the history and culture of an institution that has existed since the 12th century. My only regret was not staying for the entire year.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Oxford focuses a lot on independent research - while my Tutors were always willing to help, I missed the resources and support that were easily available at Wellesley.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed at Isis. It was close to Teddy Hall but 20 mins away from the high street and at least 30 mins away from my classes. The wifi in the building was also very bad.

* Food:

The Dining Hall food was quite nice. Formal Halls were always amazing and definitely worth going for each week! There are many panini shops very close to college although that can get expensive. I also shopped a lot at Sainsbury.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I made amazing friends! I also joined the Rowing Team which definitely helped me feel like a member of the college.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I think Oxford is very safe - I have walked back to my dorm alone after 1 am and never felt unsure or unsafe. Clubbing is really big in Oxford so there are always students on the streets till 4 am.

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)

I ate out a lot so it definitely wasn't very easy to live on a student budget

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around 80 pounds
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook more and attend as many dining hall dinners as you can

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

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • The people
  • The social events
  • My classes
* What could be improved?
  • Having a better orientation for Hillary and Trinity Visiting Students
  • A better description of courses online
  • Having more academic support resources available
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More information on how the tutorial system worked so that I would know what to expect

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.