Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

BSAO: A Trip, Indeed Past Review

By (Engineering Science, Trinity University) for

Rhodes College: Oxford - British Studies at Oxford

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained more of an understanding and tolerance for the sort of people who like to drink frequently and a deep appreciation for the history and beauty of England.

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.

Workload was reasonable in the first few weeks of the program, but became a little too high as the last week came around, as papers as long as 12 pages were assigned only a week in advance of their due date.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program provided a great quantity of quality excursions which students utilized to explore the history of England, but few of these excursions included interaction with citizens of the country. Lecturers were often brought in to speak on various components of English history, but this didn't really allow for much interaction with English citizens.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Food was a little bland at times, but overall it was highly enjoyable.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The amount of excursions the program offered were far too many to name and far too great in quality to accurately describe. I particularly enjoyed going to see plays at various famous playhouses such as the Globe Theatre and at the Royal Shakespeare Company's playouse in Stratford-Upon-Avon

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The host city seemed to be incredibly safe... I encountered no difficulties.

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? Not very much money. It is quite possible to get away with only spending $20 a week if you don't want to travel.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The conversion rate between USD and pounds isn't very great, so things in England tend to be significantly more expensive.

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The country
  • The encouragement to explore England independently
  • The amount of free time
* What could be improved?
  • Work spaced more evenly throughout the summer
  • I can't think of anything else
  • Not having so many people involved in greek life in their home institutions
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think the program could use more people who weren't so focused on drinking, because the program is definitely geared towards people with more of an interest in the country of England and an interest in learning about England's history... not towards people who want to do things in England they can do any time in the States.