Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Oxford Study Abroad Year Past Review

By (HISTORY., Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/24/2012 to 06/24/2013 with

University of Oxford - Visiting Students

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I spent all of my time working one-on-one with my professors. It was great because it meant that I got to learn about exactly what interested me, as well as hone in on particular writing skills that I felt I lacked. The professors themselves were incredibly learned, interesting and, for the most part, kind. I'm not sure I could have had such a rich academic experience anywhere but Oxford.

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?

* Food:

* 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

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? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Hall is expensive - it's a lot cheaper (and more fun) to organise big cook-ups with your friends when you do have the time.

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

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • One-on-one tutorials
  • Access to the Bodleian
  • (Some) extracurricular activities
* What could be improved?
  • Increased integration into the regular college community
  • Better email communication
  • Dorms that were more soundproof and were not so far from the college
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had understood how unrelenting the pressure is during term time. I'm not saying that it was bad, but realising that I had to digest so much information and write so much would have been good to know ahead of time.

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!