Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An excellent experience August 17, 2023

By (Physics, St. Olaf College) - abroad from 01/04/2023 to 04/15/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I greatly improved as a writer, made new friends, experienced another country, and learned more about subjects outside of my comfort zone.

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.

Great teachers who cared about the subjects and their students. I learned a lot and greatly enjoyed it.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Would have been nice to have more kitchen space, but it was good overall.

* 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? Yes

The people, academics, and location were all great!

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? ~75 dollars, which was mostly spent on groceries
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Mean plan and limit eating out.

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?
  • Fellow students
  • Teachers
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • A meal plan
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Make more of an effort to join Oxford clubs and experience more of the city of Oxford. The academics are going to be tough.

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!