A Great Experience for Some, A Challenging Year for Others Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The education at Oxford is absolutely a once in a lifetime opportunity, but not one that I would recommend for everyone. The coursework and instruction is similar to earning a masters degree, so be prepared to be a scholar, and a mostly self-taught one at that. If you're ready to dive into your subject with resources and intensity not available with a less targeted liberal arts course load, Oxford is for you. If you need a lot of supplementary time with professors to understand readings, need a lot of support with your writing, or don't really want to dedicate yourself to your subject as a scholar, Oxford will probably be a hard place to find success.

On-site administration of your program

I was not part of the IFSA program as a Wellesley student, so I can't really speak for that support. However, for the visiting students program itself, administration is largely like the tutors and coursework with a hands-off attitude. This is great if you want to chart your own course without the structure of a rigid program with mandatory events. There were maybe 6-8 cultural events put on by the college, like seeing King Lear in the Globe Theater in London, but you got to choose if you wanted to go or not. I wanted to directly enroll and value independence over support, so I wasn't really interested in having a "program feel" in my Oxford experience. However, if you are looking for structure and support like in a typical abroad program, this model probably will be harder for you.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing in Oxford is first rate, and Worcester in particular has great rooms in a central location next to city center. Each room has a private bathroom that includes a shower, and a scout comes by to take out the trash bin every other day and clean your room/bathroom once every week. I don't really think anyone would have a reason to be left wanting with the visiting student housing at Worcester, except maybe when you miss it coming back!

Food at Worcester was pretty mediocre when I was there, as well as expensive. It may have been because they were remodeling their old (and very beautiful) dining hall, so a small cafe served as the interim dining hall. I didn't eat there very much, and I would recommend instead using the Tesco near by for groceries. If you have the cash, you could also go to the many many awesome restaurants and food trucks near college. Basically, college food isn't great, but with the location and strong kitchen culture in the dorms, you aren't left bereft.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

One thing about being a visiting student at Oxford is some people have a stigma against visiting students not being "up to snuff" with the traditionally admitted candidates who had to go through the interview process. I would say maybe 10-20% of students truly hold this view, and the rest of the students are aware of the stereotype. Also, the Oxford system means people spend a lot of time alone studying, so it can be hard to meet people organically in class the way we do in the US. However, for those who are outgoing and search for a community, joining the right organizations and going to the right events will lead you to your tribe quickly. I made a lot of lifelong friends while I was at Worcester, but only with effort in the beginning, a positive attitude, and a go-getter mindset.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I can't really speak to health care in the UK as I luckily had no health issues while I was there. However, I did have a friend with some mental health issues, and those who with mental health histories considering Oxford should know the mental health services in Oxford are distinctly lacking compared to Wellesley. Support is limited, and anything beyond that limited support is largely left up to the student to solve on their own.

Oxford is a very safe place. It has a very large homeless population because of the housing crisis in the southern UK, but as long as you respect them as people they won't ever bother you.

I loved the location of my college and the people I met within it. In terms of Oxford overall, the university was a great experience that was the exact change in pace and structure I was looking for after my second year at Wellesley.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Oxford is very expensive. While OIS does give a stipend for food, the dining hall is a small portion and pretty mediocre, so be prepared to pay more for food than you do at Wellesley. Also the pound conversion hurts the wallet more than you would think, a 150 dollar budget in the US with UK prices and taxes is actually a 200-225 budget!

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Other

• Independence
• Intensity
• Genuine academic curiosity

• Support for those who need it
• Integration with traditional students
• Financial support

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