Oxford: Amazing Teachers and Finding Friends Past Review

By Matthew S (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Trinity University) for

Rhodes College: Oxford - British Studies at Oxford

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

The experience was worth the cost and time, I really learned that there are lots of people I don't like but that there are lots of people I do. I learned that being an American makes a great tourist and that you aren't the only toursit.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The workload was manageable, the grading system was kind, the teaching methods were mostly lecture with some seminar thrown in. The main difference between American university and Oxford is that there is only one grade and most of the professors expect you to be very critical in your analysis. Basically they expect mroe and test less.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	You are housed in a castle basically and while the internet is slow the view and room size is something to marvel at. I had a gargoyle outside my window.
* Food:	The food selection can get boring and meals take a while but I never found a hair and something always looked good. If you are picky you will suffer.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	A lot of the students from the outher southern universities were not exceedingly open or nice, but there were friends to find.
* 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

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?	Roughly 15 dollars a week, but sometimes up to 30.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Just bring extra money, plan for about 300 I would say but there were definetly people who spent up to 1000

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None

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

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Medieval Mysticism
Course Department:
Instructor:	Dr. Santha Batacharji
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	A very entertaining course that doesn't require too much work and really opens your eyes to the religious goingons of Medieval England.
Credit Transfer Issues:	DO NOT send the transcript to yourself to hand in, your registrar will probably not take it.

Course Name/Rating:	Roman Britain
Course Department:
Instructor:	Dr. Matthew Symonds
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Dr. Symonds is very knowledgeable and if you like the Roman World you will love this class. I must warn you that he will expect you to have a critical eye when it comes to archaeology and anthropology.
Credit Transfer Issues:	DO NOT send the transcript to yourself to hand in, your registrar will probably not take it.