Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unexpected Past Review

By (St. Mary's College of Maryland) - abroad from 08/31/2012 to 12/08/2012 with

Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies - Oxford

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile. I got to travel, meet new people, and I learned a lot about myself. It wasn't always easy but it was all worth it.

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.

* 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? over 100 dollars easily
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? cook your own food... and just accept that Oxford is a very expensive city

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The Academics - the tutorial experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity and one I will always be grateful for.
* What could be improved?
  • The living situation made me feel very seperate from the actual college... I also didn't get to mingle with too many of the locals. CMRS also isn't exactly the most organized. A lot of people couldn't take courses they had signed up for because tutors were not available for them. My seminar was also dissapointing - discussion based classes at St. Mary's are far more engaging and challenging.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I wouldn't REALLY be going to Oxford University.

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!