Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Look Back on a Wonderful Year Abroad August 25, 2022

By (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 10/04/2021 to 06/18/2022 with

University of Oxford - Visiting Students

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes! Academically I grew so much by being able to focus on my subject and participate in the tutorials. I improved as a writer and learned to produce a lot more work each week. Socially I made a lot of local friends and immersed myself in the culture. I learned a lot about Britain and its history, especially through the traditions at Oxford and the architecture in the city.

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? About $50-100 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? N/A

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
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International 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?
  • I loved the tutorial system, the freedom to choose our classes while studying one subject in depth, the visiting student program events, social activities at Oxford etc.
* What could be improved?
  • Maybe allowing students to take the exams or have some form of evaluation that is similar to what local students take. Since examination and teaching are separate at Oxford, it would be nice to have the option to sit the exams and get more out of the tutorials this way.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More about the day to day differences of student life in the UK. I also would have liked to get a better idea of what it would be like financially, since clubs all have membership fees and there is no student meal plan

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!