Oxford: An Amazing and Easy Experience for a First Time Traveler Past Review
By Deborah B (English Literature (British and Commonwealth)., SUNY - College at Geneseo) for
SUNY Geneseo: Oxford - Humanities Course
Yes. Just being in Oxford solidified my appreciation for education in itself. It cemented a direction in my life I had been questioning for years.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The architecture in Oxford itself was outstanding. The town remains beautifully historic and genuine despite the tourist appeal. New College was amazing. I would take hour long walks around campus during our lunch breaks. Our trip to London was planned perfectly, the trip was organized and still allowed us some freedom. The play we saw was a perfect mix of entertaining and intellectual. It could even be related to the course. The two formal dinners we had on campus were so much fun, and the food was great. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Oxford is not by any means and unsafe place. New College is surrounded by a stone gate. Everything is pretty much within a 15 minute walking distance, so getting places was never an issue of saftey. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Oxford is expensive. The food was expensive, the alcohol was expensive. We eventually learned to just by a bunch of bagels or bread and peanut butter for lunch. Dinner and breakfast were included which was actually insanely helpful budget wise. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The outlets constantly blew out on a number of students. I think part of it was just that the electrics in the buildings we were staying in were kind of old. I spent some money on new converters, a blow dryer and straightener that would work with the outlets. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do not hold back. Having fun in Oxford, and as nerdy as it sounds, connecting the city around you to the subject matter in the classroom, were the best parts. It is safe western culture. It is no Africa or Asia, but internally the journey is priceless if you are willing to look beyond the fact that everyone still speaks English. |
