Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An academically, historically, and socially rich study abroad experience July 25, 2025

By (Psychology, Wellesley College) - abroad from 10/01/2024 to 06/21/2025 with

IFSA: Oxford - England Study Abroad Program at St Anne's College

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Given the tutorial system, I learned to take control of my learning at Oxford. To dive deep and ask questions in the areas I am particularly interested in. Outside of tutorials, the experience is truly what you make of it depending on if you want to spend more time in student orgs, exploring the libraries and other colleges, in sports, etc. Being at St. Anne's for a year was definitely worthwhile. I gained much depth in knowledge in courses for my major and outside of it and made meaningful relationships with my peers and tutors.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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

St. Anne's had a great visiting students programme. It was a perfect distance from the city, with the city centre being easily accessible but the campus being in a quite area of Oxford.

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? About $100 on food when purchased in the college dining hall.

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
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?
  • Tutorials
  • Formal Halls
  • Visiting Student activities
* What could be improved?
  • Integration of visiting students with local students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Many logistical things regarding tutorials and such are organized and planned once you get to Oxford. It may be hard to get used to coming from US universities, because we are used to having things sorted well in advance. It may feel stressful due to the aspect of uncertainty, but have assurance that everything gets sorted by the necessary time.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.