Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fun yet academically rigorous January 04, 2022

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/06/2021 to 12/10/2021 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a perspective into independent study and graduate school for my major.

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.

Academically rigorous and provided a lot of resources for research

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

On-site administration was very responsive and helpful towards any issues

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Difficult to be integrated with local students

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare was easily accessible through the host college

* Safety:

Very safe but can be sketchy in certain areas

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)

England is a lot more expensive

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

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* 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?
  • Academics
  • Meeting other students
  • New system of education
* What could be improved?
  • Support regarding transition into supervisions
  • Having a more set standard of how to grade study abroad students for all supervisors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How academically rigorous the program would be. It is hard to adjust, and not everyone is graded to the same standard due to different supervisors having different grading requirements, as well as different treatment towards exchange students.

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!