Rigorous academic experience with no cultural component! Past Review

By A student (Literary Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/30/2012 to 12/07/2012 with

Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies - Oxford

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Still undecided on how worthwhile it was. I am glad I did it but am unsure I would do it, simply because of that month-long integral course and the nature of the program. I certainly learned a lot - the tutorial experience was invaluable and I am so glad I did it. But I don't think it was worth it's money's worth.

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.	VERY INTENSE. The most work I have ever done, and this was the best and most rewarding part of the program. The tutorials are why I went. I loved them!
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Not much flexibility, very small program with limited administrators we could contact
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	You live with all American students relatively removed from the rest of Oxford. We were "affiliated" with a college, but did not feel like real students there. The housing definitely contributed to this. That being said, the rooms and JCR were great. (Sometimes a little crowded.) Needed more study spaces.
* Food:	If you can cook for yourself, then you're good. Otherwise, food is pricey.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Barely at all. This was not a cultural experience - it was an academic one. We were barely involved with the university outside of our tutorials.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	A doctor was allegedly available, although I do not know anyone who sought his help. (Just one doctor... kinda odd)
* Safety:
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)	England is not cheap, but when you're cooking for yourself and with others, it's not hard to budget.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	150 pounds (convert that to dollars and it's a lot more...)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Cook for yourself and book plane tickets waaay in advance.

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	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?	Classes No social anxiety Living in pretty Oxford
* What could be improved?	Integration with the university/city More resources (there's only 1 advisor!) Knowledge of program before getting there
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That you are NOT a part of the 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Shakespeare's Tragedies
Course Department:	Literature
Instructor:	Ralph Hanna
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This was a tutorial. We only met once a week, when I read my essay out loud and then engaged in a conversation/discussion/debate. Reading a play and writing a paper on it was a lot for each week, but it was very rewarding. Loved it.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No... hope not.

Course Name/Rating:	Classical Epic
Course Department:	Classics
Instructor:	Elizabeth Sawyer
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Read the 3 great ancient epics - Iliad, Odyssey, and Aeneid. It was GREAT! More work than I've ever done, but I had some incredible discussions and conversations with Liz, and my writing improved immensely. Also, the material was just mind-blowing.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Nope

Course Name/Rating:	Dante's Divine Comedy
Course Department:	Literature
Instructor:	Dr Crowe
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Read all of the Divine Comedy. This was a seminar. Dr Crowe is great, very warm and welcoming and VERY intellectual - he'll often do most of the talking and has something to say on everything. Small class with great discussions. Very engaging.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Integral Course
Course Department:	N/A
Instructor:	Many
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Month-long lecture-style course. It was horrible. This should not exist. The lectures were disjointed and random. It wasn't a "class" - more like a "lecture series." The lecturers did not "teach," they simply dumped their own theses on us, often using terminology that was simply beyond us. Ultimately, all of the work was reading, preparing for an ALL DAY, 4 essay-long exam at the end. We all died that day. It was ridiculous and makes no sense. No one should be tested like that, especially when the expectations and format were so unclear. They should change the assessment (maybe space out the essays over the course of the month) or try to form a more cohesive, sensible order to the lecturers. YOU WILL NOT ENJOY NOR LEARN MUCH FROM THIS COURSE.
Credit Transfer Issues:	no