Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Rigorous but lonely February 14, 2023

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/04/2022 to 04/15/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained time management and communication skills, and got a lot of great feedback on my critical writing, which has helped me a great deal in my current academic work. I also appreciated the exposure to academia that I got while there.

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.

* 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?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

While I appreciated aspects of the program, I feel that it was ultimately isolating and I never felt at home or fully immersed while there.

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? $70

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?
  • Location
  • Academics
  • Resources
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • Programming
  • Amenities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You will not be living in/around the university, rather in the commercial district of the city, which is isolating.

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:

Jane Austen
Course Department: English and American Lit
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was challenging and rigorous, and the professor was very knowledgable and engaging in the subject material. I enjoyed our discussions and felt that assignments were interesting and helped me engage with the material.
Credit Transfer Issues: I've had difficulty reaching the registrar's office regarding applying the credit to my major.
Course Name/Rating:

The Inklings
Course Department: English and American Lit
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was challenging and interesting, and the professor made reference to the history of Oxford and its academic and cultural institutions. I enjoyed my discussions with the professor, who was very knowledgeable, and appreciated her feedback on my written essays
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Vikings, Saxons and Heroic Culture
Course Department: English and American Lit, History, Literary Studies
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: This course was engaging and the instructor was very knowledgeable on the subject. Sometimes, discussions felt difficult because of the unfamiliar nature of the material, but I enjoyed reading and thinking about the topics. I also appreciated the teacher's mentorship and the final paper assignment
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Research Course
Course Department: History of Art and Culture
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I appreciated the way this course provided the opportunity to spend lots of time deeply researching, thinking about, and discussing a subject of my choice. The teacher was great and very helpful in providing resources and helping me organize and hone my thoughts.
Credit Transfer Issues: