Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An amazing year of new experiences July 31, 2025

By (Mathematics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 10/06/2025 to 06/20/2025 with

St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford - Visiting Students Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was 100% worthwhile, everything from the daily mundane walks from class, to the very traditional one a year Oxford balls, were so special. Although at Wellesley I would say I was already fairly independent, I learned to be more so while abroad, and also learned to be more outgoing in trying new things.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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?

Accommodation was amazing, I had an ensuite with other visiting students and matriculated students. Even though I was not located in college, it was less than a 10 minute walk away and in a very good location with many restaurants and students living in the same area.

* Food:

The food in college was generally very good, I ate a good amount in college and accommodation had very well equipped kitchens in case I wanted to cook.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't really use any healthcare while there, but have heard mixed things from friends.

* 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)

Eating out can get quite expensive, but cooking and eating in college helped to decrease expenses (college automatically loads in a fixed amount of money per term)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Lots of time to take advantage of all the university has to offer
  • Tutors were great
* What could be improved?
  • Flexibility in courses
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think things were communicated very well beforehand, so there weren't a ton of huge surprises.

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!