Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Challenging but incredibly worth it Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/04/2019 to 12/14/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was so worth all the challenging aspects of the program. I grew so much as a learner and as a writer and my skills improved tenfold.

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.

This was an intensely rigorous semester but one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The opportunity to experience Oxford's tutorial system was amazing, since learning in a one-on-one environment with a professor is so unique.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The CMRS faculty and staff were so supportive!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

St Michaels Hall was in a fabulously central location. The dorms were spacious. The best part was the kitchen and common space

* Food:

I mainly cooked for myself at St Michael's. Associated with Keble college, we had the opportunity to attend meals there, however I didn't often do that as Keble was rather far away from home and the library.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Since the classes we take are individually with professors, you don't get much opportunity to meet other Oxford students in classes. Likewise, since the dorm is solely Middlebury CMRS students, I couldn't meet local students there either. My friends joined the Keble Frisbee team and met lots of students there! I felt connected to the community by going to coffee shops and local restaurants, but I met very few British students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Didn't have any health issues, but I would have been prepared with resources if I needed to.

* Safety:

Obviously this is a big city, so I found it helpful just to walk with other students around the city. I never felt unsafe, but its good to take precautions in any city.

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

This was such an amazing experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Different than other abroad experiences in that I would not recommend it to someone looking for a 'break' or a chance to travel around Europe.

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)

Buying produce wasn't too expensive, but eating out is expensive in Oxford.

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? If traveling, book flights early! Stay at hostels rather than hotels

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?
  • Academics
  • Friends
* What could be improved?
  • Integration with locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Difference between tutorial and other classes.

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:

Renaissance Women
Course Department: Art History
Instructor: Margarite Dalivalle
Instruction Language:
Comments: Challenging course but so interesting! Took 2 trips to the Ashmolean museum to look at art in person.
Credit Transfer Issues: n/a
Course Name/Rating:

Philosophy of Religion
Course Department:
Instructor: Ian Logan
Instruction Language:
Comments: So challenging! But so interesting and I loved it.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

The Inklings
Course Department:
Instructor: Julie Dresvina
Instruction Language:
Comments: This seminar was not as challenging as my other courses.
Credit Transfer Issues: