Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Incredible Academic Opportunity Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/04/2018 to 04/14/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot from an academic perspective, and gained a lot of confidence in my writing abilities. I also made really incredible friends whom I wouldn't have met otherwise.

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've never felt so educationally stimulated and invested in my work.

* 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 have any significant health issues, and don't feel qualified to rate the program's response.

* Safety:

Oxford feels very safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I wish I could've spent more time at CMRS, the three and a half months we were there flew by

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 withdrew 200 pounds every two or three weeks, so I was spending on average about 90 dollars a week.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eating out will blow through money more than anything else. Tesco rice and lentils are your best move. It's also a great opportunity to learn how to cook if you don't already know.

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?
  • Academic Rigor
  • Dorm/Social Life
  • Oxford
* What could be improved?
  • Orientation
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Save your travel for the break between tutorials and the research component, and after the program ends. Trying to travel during the research project is a bad idea.

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:

Christianity and Science
Course Department: Religion
Instructor: John Roche
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was very challenging. I had to read several books and write a 2000 word paper each week. We did some field trips toward the end of the semester. I loved getting to know John, he was an excellent teacher.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Shakespeare II
Course Department: English
Instructor: Ralph Hanna
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It wasn't that challenging. I rarely completed the readings and often felt disengaged. I didn't enjoy Ralph's method of instruction. It seemed as if
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Classical Islam
Course Department: Religion
Instructor: Alex Henley
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was challenging, but Alex was incredibly helpful along the way. Assessed by weekly essays. Participated more than at home because each class was just a one-on-one conversation.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Independent Research Paper
Course Department: Religion
Instructor: N/A
Instruction Language: N/A
Comments: This was my favorite part of CMRS. It was challenging but I loved the freedom of working on a long paper and diving into historical research.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.