Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Arcadia steals your money Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 10/01/2013 to 12/04/2013 with

Arcadia: Oxford - University of Oxford

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Education should not be restrictive and should be rewarding! It was definitely worthwhile because of the tutors and knowledge.

Review Photos

Arcadia: Oxford - Oxford University Photo Arcadia: Oxford - Oxford University Photo Arcadia: Oxford - Oxford University Photo Arcadia: Oxford - Oxford University Photo Arcadia: Oxford - Oxford University Photo

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 coursework was very intense and I absolutely loved the difference in education systems. However the intensity took time away from traveling and exploring the country.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Arcadia - They really didn't do much for us except for give us money and threw us in a hotel, on a train, and into a taxi. Oxford - They were great though!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My dorm was great, clean and comfortable.

* Food:

Food was absolutely to die for at the dining hall at St. Catz College!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I didn't feel integrated at all. The Americans were super separated from the English. I hear that is how it is for most study abroad programs though. It's hard to integrate, especially in such a short amount of time.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Oxford is super safe and super small.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

SO EXPENSIVE. IT'S THE POUND, THAT'S LIFE.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat at the dorm and only buy essentials. Share as much as possible.

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
* 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?
  • The people in my program
* What could be improved?
  • The cost
  • The staff
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Arcadia overcharges and there are other programs I could have gone through to go to Oxford which would have saved me thousands of dollars.

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!