The experience of a lifetime--APPLY Past Review
By SLC2013 (Sarah Lawrence College) - abroad from 09/28/2011 to 06/15/2012 with
Sarah Lawrence College: Oxford - Sarah Lawrence in Oxford
If you are thinking of applying to Oxford, please don't hesitate! If you are passionate about your academic work, if you want to grow as an intellectual and as a person, if you want to use the UK as your home base to travel inexpensively throughout Europe, if you want to be a part of one of the best colleges in the university, and if you want pre-planned and guided trips throughout the UK, then the SLP is for you. Study abroad isn't meant to reflect the same conditions and experiences you have at home--it's opportunity to see another (albeit similar) way of life. I came to Oxford unsure of my future and left feeling extremely confident in my academic pursuits and graduate school plans. Oxford is an amazing city and an incredible university. It pushes you in ways you can't imagine--and then allows you to succeed. Take advantage of every trip, lunch, formal dinner, evensong, ball, Union debate, tutorial, lecture, society, library, museum, neighborhood, restaurant, etc. that you can. If I had the chance to go back and do the programme again this year, I would. It's that amazing.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I was always able to find multiple copies of any book I needed throughout all of the libraries; the online resources were well-developed (they even have Penguin Classics online); my tutors helped me transition to the Oxford-style essay in a matter of weeks and were truly involved in my development as an academic as well as an individual. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Debbie and Helen were incredibly helpful and courteous when I dealt with different dilemmas during my time there. While my emails were not always answered promptly, they were given full attention if I sent a reminder message or stopped by the office in person. They went beyond the 9-5 duty of administrators and truly created a home for us while in Oxford. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Extremely well-kept and clean; any repairs were taken care of within 48 hours; Lindsay made sure that our safety and comfort were always accommodated. We were supplied with all furniture and kitchen ware which is an incredible help (and luxury) for students. |
| * Food: |
There are plenty of options for those willing to try new foods. British, Indian, Lebanese, Kebab, Italian, etc. etc. are all available. As a vegetarian I was always able to find at least one entree at a pub (vegetable tarts!) and the college is very accommodating of both vegans and vegetarians. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
While it can be easy to trap yourself in your room in Merifield to study, it is just as easy to join any of Oxford's dozens of societies where people are warm, welcoming, and surprisingly unaffected. You meet people from all over the world with different backgrounds and academic interests. Pleas leave Merifield, you have incredible opportunities waiting for you if you take the initiative to make them! Wadham as a college was incredibly welcoming, hosting dinner and drinks in our honor, hosting open-mics, etc. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Coming from the States where my insurance makes visits to the doctor almost impossible unless in the case of an emergency, it was a relief being able to make an appointment at the surgery without monetary consideration. Keep in mind that you cannot get an appointment the same day (or possibly the next) without calling at opening. It's best to make an appointment several days in advance. They do have an on-call doctor available 24/7 who you can call if you think you have an emergency situation; s/he can guide you on any immediate steps that can be taken, advise what to bring up to the doctor in the appointment, or suggest to go to the A&E. |
| * Safety: |
Streets are extremely well lit; Merifield can only be accessed via swipe card; public buses run during daylight hours and run once an hour during night while cabs are always available. I have walked home at all hours of the day/night and have never felt uncomfortable (Banbury Road is the anti-Kimball Avenue). If you are in city centre and are hesitant about a midnight walk home alone, go to any lodge and they can call a cab for you. It's a city, like any other, so be mindful, walk in groups, etc. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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 hardest about the Oxford programme for me was the financial aspect. The conversion rate is TERRIBLE. Combine this with no on-campus, work study job and this creates a bleak financial situation. That being said, I learned to prioritize my spending, cut down on coffee and drinks out when necessary and stick to a food budget. Word of advice: save up as much money as possible before you come. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I tried to stick to £60, though this was usually difficult |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you are going to get a bus pass, buy it long-term in the beginning of the year. Paying for a monthly bus pass is much more expensive. If you are comfortable, skip the bus pass and cycle. You will see much more of the city, have a quicker trip, exercise, and save on the heavy bus pass price tag. Take advantage of the ten free meals a term in hall. The food is decent and most importantly, free. Join societies--not only will you meet people, but they often involve free food and wine as well. Go to Poundland in Clarendon Centre. They are stocked with mostly name brand products for a fraction of the price of what you would pay for the same item in Boots. |
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? | How expensive the visa process would be; that I wouldn't actually need a return flight to enter the country; that the required global health insurance wouldn't be accepted in most locations; that shipping is too much of a hassle/expense |
