Will Cherish The Experience For Life Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/09/2019 to 12/12/2019 with

University of Cambridge, Pembroke College: Cambridge - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I grew so much as a writer and thinker and grew more over the course of a single term at Cambridge than I had in 2 full years at my home institution.

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.

The academic aspect of this program was incredibly rigorous, however, I felt that I gained incredibly valuable skills during my time abroad. I learned so much while I was abroad at Pembroke, but would not recommend this program to anyone who is seeking an academic reprieve during their semester or year abroad. While I only met once or twice a week with supervisors, I put in roughly 40 hours of work per week on my essays and readings.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration was wonderful and incredibly supportive throughout my semester at Pembroke. They were there to assist with my every concern and it was not uncommon to receive and answer within minutes of emailing them.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My accommodations were incredibly nice––a townhouse just minutes away from Pembroke College––however, I know that my peers did not have nearly as nice living arrangements and were a 20-minute walk from the city center (whereas I lived in the city center).

* Food:

There are a lot of really good restaurants in Cambridge, however, the servery itself got repetitive after a while.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I had a phenomenal time at Pembroke, and wish that I had decided to stay for the entire year. The only reason I didn't give it a perfect score was because the academics were overwhelming at times and because it was difficult to travel outside of Cambridge.

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)

Cambridge itself is an incredibly expensive area, so if you plan on eating out or getting drinks then the cost of living adds up. Food at Pembroke itself was very affordable though (usually around 2 pounds a meal).

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Academic intensity
  • Other students
  • Cambridge is a beautiful city with so many opportunities for Cambridge students
* What could be improved?
  • Accomadations
  • Food
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how difficult the course load would be, and that I wouldn't have much time to travel while abroad.