Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Grew Intellectually! June 16, 2026

By (English Language and Literature, Amherst College) - abroad from 01/07/2026 to 04/16/2026 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about nineteenth-century English literature. I didn't realize how much I would fall in love with this era of literature and it helped inform/inspire the senior thesis I am currently working on, so I definitely think it was worthwhile.

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:

I had to buy my own groceries and learn how to cook for myself, which was definitely an adjustment from my small liberal arts college.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

We lived in the heart of Oxford, so there were suspicious people, but I never felt super unsafe.

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

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 is a very expensive place to live.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 250
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would recommend saving up a LOT of money before going abroad, trying to work a lot and not spend the semester before.

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?
  • My tutorial on nineteenth-century English literature
  • Playing for the field hockey team
* What could be improved?
  • The field trips we went on
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how expensive it was going to be to live in Oxford and I wish I knew how quickly the term goes by.

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!