An Enriching and Rewarding Semester Past Review
By Anna Meusel (Saint Michael's College) - abroad from 09/01/2017 to 12/02/2017 with
IFSA: Oxford - Oxford University
I learned a lot about the confidence that comes from independence. It's rather forced upon you living in another country, but you get outside your comfort zone quickly and learn to fend for yourself in ways that I've never had to at home.
Review Photos
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. |
I chose this program for the academic challenge that it provided, and it did not disappoint. The semester pushed me a lot, and I am very proud of the work I did. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IFSA-Butler team did a great job striking the balance between making sure we were taken care of while also encouraging independent exploration of our time there. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Being integrated into the full-time student dorms included us very nicely as foreign students, enabling a social atmosphere and comfortable inclusion in the entirety of the student experience. |
* Food: |
The meal plan in the dining halls was reliable and easy, although the set meal schedule did not always allow for many options. However, the access to a full kitchen was a great addition to let you cook for yourself! |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Being included in all aspects of the student life really helped me assimilate to the local culture. I lived with the other students, played sports with them, joined clubs, participated in college traditions, and got to know the city. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The healthcare was a little difficult because so much specific paperwork and registration as required prior to any help being given. I had a minor issue right at the beginning of the term that needed immediate attention but I had not gotten registered with the school's nurse or doctor program yet, so it was a bit of a hassle to get up and running but was very helpful once I did. |
* Safety: |
Safety is taken seriously and handled well both by the school and the program. All college buildings must be accessed by keys and are left locked 24/7, as well as porters manning every college door to personally get to know who goes in and out. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved every aspect of my time in this program and abroad. It served me very well, and I am so happy I chose it! |
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) |
I lived on a student's budget fairly easily because living and meals were taken care of in the price of the program, but the travel and extra expenses that went along with a lot of the experiences unique to being abroad added up quickly. |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | <$100 |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | By travel tickets in bulk--ie. multi-trip train passes, student package bus tickets, etc. You will use them and the deals will pay off on your more expensive excursions! |
Language
* Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? |
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* What could be improved? |
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* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew that I did not need to be nervous about learning in a different academic style--although it was hard to envision prior to arrival, the program prepares you very well to handle the shift and succeed! |
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 LinguistYou 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: |
Summer Seminar |
Course Department: | IFSA-Butler |
Instructor: | Michael Mayo and Josephine Reynell |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | |
Credit Transfer Issues: |
Course Name/Rating: |
Victorian Era |
Course Department: | English Literature |
Instructor: | Clare Broome-Saunders |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | |
Credit Transfer Issues: |
Course Name/Rating: |
Arthurian Legend |
Course Department: | English Literature |
Instructor: | Helen Appleton |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | |
Credit Transfer Issues: |