Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Rigorous academics and wonderful opportunities September 13, 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?
I became more independent on a personal level, more experienced on an academic level, and more well-rounded overall.

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 a very intense academic program, really pushing students to complete in-depth independent research and be self-motivated. The one-on-one tutorials were an unusual but wonderful method that I would never have been exposed to elsewhere.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorm is old-fashioned but centrally located and has study spaces, a kitchen, classrooms, etc.

* Food:

Students mostly cook for themselves in the CMRS kitchen, which is communal but well-stocked

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It's really on the student to integrate themself with Oxford locals by joining clubs and activities. If not, you will spend most of your time with other Middkids.

* 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

I learned a lot from this program and spent some of the best months of my life getting to know the other students, Oxford and the UK, and my course materials.

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)

Oxford and the UK more broadly are definitely expensive and the pound can fool you into thinking that things are less costly than they are. I would recommend taking advantage of student discounts on food, entertainment and more.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Look into TodayTix for performances

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
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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-specific classes
  • Oxford day-to-day life
  • Community with other students
* What could be improved?
  • Integration with local students
  • Earlier brainstorming sessions for research course
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Students should just be very aware of the degree to which their lives will be dominated by coursework — you have to love your subject!

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
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Reading one of Austen's novels every week for eight weeks was transformative. This was definitely my favorite class from the program. I loved diving into Austen's work and writing a 2,000-word paper each week was a challenging but rewarding process. The instructor and I shared wonderful discussions on a variety of topics. I would highly recommend this course.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

British Children's Literature
Course Department: English
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: With one book and one essay per week, this course covered a lot of pages, but more importantly it covered a great diversity of British authors and types of children's fiction. The instructor offered great feedback on the essays produced and always led me in new directions. I would highly recommend this course.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Research Course
Course Department: INTD/ENGL
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was one of the most challenging courses I have taken in college. Beginning from square one, students design their own research question and explore the Bodleian archives. This process culminates in a 6,000-word essay. My advisor was supportive but ultimately it is up to the student to follow their own instincts. Having that paper as a final result is very satisfying and prepared me well for my senior thesis.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Shakespeare Seminar
Course Department: English
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Reading and discussing one Shakespeare play per week is an English major cliche, but it absolutely works. I enjoyed reading some of Shakespeare's lesser-known works, and was thrilled to discover them in an English context. We even got to visit Stratford-upon-Avon and see a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Credit Transfer Issues: No