Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Intense, busy, but worthwhile September 10, 2023

By (English Language and Literature, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/04/2023 to 04/14/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely worthwhile! I have never lived somewhere that ancient before, and felt such a sense of place.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

Good roommate, liked my housemates, shower situation was good, kitchen was DISGUSTING and outdated

* Food:

Eating in the UK was fine, meal plan [or lack thereof] system is difficult to navigate. Cooked for myself most of the time.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Didn't really encounter this. Was not used to some drugs being prescription only [ie Dramamine]

* Safety:

I felt pretty safe b/c of the lack of guns in the UK. Had some unhoused people who lived outside our building, but they were harmless. I frequently walked around at night by myself and didn't feel very unsafe.

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

I loved living in Oxford!!

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)

Having to pay for food was crazy! But it was cheaper than the US would have been.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 25-50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't drink every night! It adds up. Also, shop in the reduced to clear section if you're cooking at home. Being plant-based or vegan is cheap in the UK.

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?
  • Location and opportunity
  • Academics
  • Sense of independence
* What could be improved?
  • Kitchen
  • Ease of paying battels
  • Give us real breaks please!!! The workload was not bad, but a break would have been REALLY worthwhile.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing really. I learned about Oxford as I went along, and I think that was the way to do it. PLEASE study your public transport maps so you don't end up getting off your bus on the side of the highway after missing your stop [oops!]

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Poetry Tutorial
Course Department: English
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Challenging class, focused in critical theory. Made me think about why I write the way I do, and how it connects to me as a person. We took walks and went to museums for part of this tutorial.
Credit Transfer Issues: I just have to fill out this survey first
Course Name/Rating:

Inklings Tutorial
Course Department: English
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was fun and extremely discussion-based, drawing heavily upon my personal interests and other areas of study [ie animal studies]. I felt very listened-to, with a lot of creative freedom allowed in my thinking and writing.
Credit Transfer Issues: see last review
Course Name/Rating:

Bestiaries
Course Department: English
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: LOVED this class! Lots of reading, but it was all intriguing and fun. Student-led presentations allowed for deep dives into specific subject areas.
Credit Transfer Issues: See above