Challenging and Rewarding January 26, 2026
By Lena P (Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Sewanee: The University of the South) - abroad from 09/03/2025 to 12/13/2025 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program
I gained a greater perspective on my home country, as well as the country in which the program was located. Given the chance, I'd do it all over again without hesitation.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program was incredibly challenging, in the best possible way. By working one-on-one with my tutors and studying things that interested me, as well as having access to all the incredible resources that the Bodleian Libraries have to offer, I was able to gain confidence in my ability as a scholar. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was amazingly supportive and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorm is situated in a very convenient location in the Oxford City Centre, making it easy to run errands and walk to libraries. |
| * Food: |
Eating out is expensive but groceries are cheap, so the program is a good way to work on your cooking skills. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very involved, due to my involvement in Keble Chapel and the C. S. Lewis Society. The initiative is on the student when it comes to integrating oneself in the culture, but there are plenty of opportunities to do so and it is completely worth it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program fit both my academic and personal goals and preferences perfectly. I'm so incredibly grateful for my experience in Oxford and I hope to go back for future studies. |
Finances
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* 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) |
The cost of living in Oxford is fairly high, so plan out a budget in advance. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat out as little as possible, and take snacks when traveling instead of buying food at your destination. Not eating out helped me save a lot of money, so I was able to travel around England. Also, if you want to travel by train a lot, get a Railcard. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had known how enjoyable this program was going to be beforehand; I was worried and intimidated before I went but I had no reason to be, everyone is very supportive and it was one of the best experiences of my life. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
