Make the most out of your short term! Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/09/2019 to 12/06/2019 with

Worcester College, University of Oxford - Visiting Students Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained exposure to a different academic and social environment, developed a greater interest in my field of study, and left with greater appreciation for my home institution.

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.

The independent nature of the work allows you to choose how much time and energy you want to put into your academics. The rigor was on par with my home institution, though the type of work I was doing was very different from what I was used to.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Single with a bathroom is cleaned frequently. Communal kitchens are large, nice, and also cleaned frequently.

* Food:

If you want to save money, you can cook for yourself in the accommodation kitchens. Tesco's is about 10 minutes from the front of Worcester and there are a few coops in nearby Jericho which are even closer to the Canal accommodation though a bit more expensive. The Hall is also available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Formal Hall on a pay-a-you-go basis. The prices are reasonable and the food is good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Even if you are at Oxford for just a term, try to get involved with college and Uni activities if you want to meet more people and get more out of your short stay!

* 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? Use the communal kitchens and make your own meals! Also be smart about which organizations/societies you plan to join because some of them require dues for your membership or event attendance.

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
  • 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?
  • Academics
  • Exploring a new city
* What could be improved?
  • Tutorial assignment
  • Integration with local students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How short the term would really end up being and the brief window of time to get involved/take advantage of resources and events.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Public Economcs

Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Dr. Terry O'Shaughnessy
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I had such a lovely experience with Public Economics this term. While the lectures were helpful in aiding my understanding of the material, the most rewarding components were definitely the tutorial and class. Terry is incredibly intelligent, warm, and witty, and he makes his students feel comfortable in small-group classes and tutorial settings. I especially enjoyed the many digressions during discussions when he shared real-world anecdotes, fascinating research papers, or even his own in-progress economic models in order to make a particular point more salient or to add nuance to our thinking. These digressions added 5 minutes, 15 minutes, or sometimes even 25 minutes to the designated contact hours, though I never minded. I was grateful to be given more material to chew on, and Terry’s sheer joy from these diversions was infectious. I HIGHLY recommend this tutorial and Terry to future visiting students!!!!
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Behavioral and Experimental Economics

Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Dr. Johannes Abeler
Instruction Language:
Comments: I would not recommend this tutorial or tutor to future visiting students.
Credit Transfer Issues: