Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing academics, but go with friends. Join a club or sports team at Oxford. Past Review

By (Philosophy., Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/09/2014 to 04/19/2014 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
How to be a more critical reader, how to be a better academic writer, how to budget my limited time with nearly unlimited schoolwork and athletics. It was absolutely worthwhile.

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.

Fantastic academic experience. Increased my intellectual curiosity, consider a career in academia and made me a more proficient and efficient reader and writer.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Rooms and bathrooms were good. Would have been better to live on campus. Wifi was terrible.

* Food:

Cooked a lot for myself, which was cheap, fun and educational. Diverse selection of food in Oxford, and the Keble College dining hall was delicious and cheap.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was often tough to integrate into Oxford University life, though playing varsity hockey helped a lot.

* 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)

The strength of the pound and weakness of the dollar wasn't too convenient. Oxford and London are also the two most expensive cities in England.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150-200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook at home.

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Academics
  • Athletics
  • Setting
* What could be improved?
  • Dorms
  • Wifi
  • Social intergration at Oxford
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I want to apply to Oxford for an MA.

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:

European Humanism
Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor: Dr. Crowe
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Oratory
Course Department: English
Instructor: Dr. Kerr
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Enlightenment Philosophy
Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor: Dr. Stuart-Buttle
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: