Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Lady Margaret Hall Exceeds Expectations for Life Abroad January 23, 2025

By (Philosophy, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/07/2024 to 12/07/2024 with

Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford - Visiting Students Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
LMH was a great contrast to my experience at my home institution. I was able to focus on areas of student life that oftentimes aren't prioritized at my home institution. I got to see nine new countries without feeling like I spent too much or wasted my time in England.

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?

I did not find the college nurse to be at all helpful, but rather detrimental to my experience abroad. In my personal experience, a real concern (ear infection) was dismissed and put off until there were serious consequences (burst ear drum and prolonged hearing loss)! My program was entirely unhelpful in helping me with this process, just directing me back to the college nurse who just chatted about American Politics and told me to come back in three days, during which my ear drum burst.

* Safety:

LMH felt comfortably removed from Oxford city center which allowed a sense of safety and protection.

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? $120/week on food and necessary expenses, $200 on travel/unnecessary expenses
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The dining hall is decently cheap, but you're better off buying your own food and cooking.

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

  • Americans
  • International Students
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 I met
  • The city
  • The walkability
* What could be improved?
  • Transparency about costs (e.g. paying to join the rowing club)
  • Health Services
  • Organization of the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? LMH is one of the only Oxford Colleges that has all of its undergraduates living on campus. This really cultivates community in a way that doesn't happen on other college campuses in Oxford.

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!