Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A tradition-laden year of superb education. Past Review

By (English Literature and Theory, William Jewell College) - abroad from 09/11/2011 to 06/18/2012 with

University of Oxford - Visiting Students

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Obviously, it is difficult for me to reduce it to a sound bite without sounding trite, but I did my best do envelop myself in an education tradition different, though not unfamiliar, from my own. This is very worthwhile and gives me access to different pools of knowledge and methodologies and frames of thinking.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Since I was given money to provide my own food, this is always a ranking of my own cooking--which is slightly above average.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was healthy throughout, so it was really a moot point.

* Safety:

The part of town in which I lived was sometimes a little spooky late at night, but real threats to 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)

I was hurt by the exchange rate of dollars to pounds.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Perhaps twenty or thirty dollars.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cooking for yourself does help.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The academic community and rigor.
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing truly comes to mind. Perhaps greater access to the university community at large.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Not sure I can honestly answer that. I think having a blank a slate as possible is important.