Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The City of Dreaming Spires: Sometimes You Have To Get Lost To Find Yourself Past Review

By (Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology., Austin College) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 06/15/2012 with

Arcadia: Oxford - University of Oxford

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Everyone expects to change after going abroad, but it never happens the way we envision it to be. It's a subtle change-- something we realize only when we return and reflect back on our time abroad. I found my true character, I learned to draw inspiration from the life's simplicities, and led a balanced lifestyle. I explored the English countryside and experienced European culture, but what made it most worthwhile was the confidence and happiness I found within. I never realized how quickly and easily one can fall in love with such a place and how hard it would be to leave it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Welcome sessions and orientation helped us become acclimated to a new environment
  • Living on-site allowed us to easily integrate and interact with local, international, and study abroad students
  • Constant access to resources
* What could be improved?
  • More opportunities to meet with other Arcadia students in England not just Oxford
  • More Arcadia-sponsored events, activities, and/or trips
  • Better accommodation
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How vastly different the educational system in Oxford is. Perhaps if I had been given sample tutorial assignments from past years I would have felt more prepared in beginning tutorial sessions. It took about one term for me to completely adjust to the intensity and rigors of Oxford academics.