Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great year at Oxford. Past Review

By (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 10/01/2014 to 06/01/2015 with

St. Catherine's College, University of Oxford - Visiting Students Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The academic experience at Oxford is amazing. It is definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The program is great. I really enjoyed the tutorial system in Oxford.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administrators have experience with international exchange students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Great housing in the college. I had a roommate which is not common, but I really enjoy the experience.

* Food:

Food in general is not that good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

More can be done by the hosting administrator to integrate the exchange students with the local full time Oxford students.

* 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)

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

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • Academics
  • Oxford city
  • People
* What could be improved?
  • More integration
  • Better food
  • Nothing else
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The British food is really bad. Oxford is academically challenging, so do not expect an easy and chill study abroad life, especially when Middlebury transfers the grades back into your GPA.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Economics of Developing Countries
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Gisela Robles Aguilar
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Small group tutorials with Gisela Robles Aguilar were a great experience. I was evaluated based on the papers and presentations I gave in the course.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Plato
Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor: Tom Ainsworth
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great tutorials with Tom Ainsworth. Essays and class discussion are how I was assessed.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Economics and Finance
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Vassili Bazinas
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Tutorials with Vassili Bazinas were intellectually challenging. Essays and problem sets are how I was assessed.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

European Economic Model and Policy
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Allison Hartnett
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great tutorials with Allison Hartnett. The performance was evaluated based on the essays.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Logic
Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor: Sarah Lane Smith
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great introductory course to philosophical logic. Problem sets were how I was evaluated.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Political Philosophy

Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor: Dr Ian Carroll
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Intense course on philosophical thoughts of Plato and Aristotle. Great conversations. Performance was evaluated based on the essays.
Credit Transfer Issues: