A Great Complement to Liberal Arts Education Past Review
By A student (Economics., Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/13/2014 to 06/20/2014 with
University of Cambridge, Pembroke College: Cambridge - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Attending the University of Cambridge as a study abroad student was an extremely fulfilling experience. I was able to take courses that I would not otherwise have been able to at Wellesley College due to the difference in size of both institutions.
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 was very rigorous with weekly writing assignments and one-on-one supervisions; however, I wish we could have more time interacting with professors. Office hours were something I missed during my time abroad. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrative staff were very efficient in terms of communicating with study abroad students. Director of Studies and Senior Tutors regularly checked in with us to hear how things were going. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My room at Cambridge was possibly triple the size of an average single at Wellesley. I was assigned housing in Downing College, which turned out to be a better arrangement. I had access to facilities (i.e. dining hall and library) in both Pembroke and Downing, while regular students only had access to one. My room looked as if it was once used as a living room-- spacious with a piano and a fireplace. I was very satisfied with the housing arrangement overall |
* Food: |
Dining hall food definitely exceeded my expectations. Downing College had one of the best kitchens for regular meals (especially for weekend brunches), although Formal Halls at Pembroke were definitely better and more cost-effective. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I spent half of my time with other U.S. college students and another half with full-time Cambridge students. It was a good mix between keeping in touch with people who were going through the same experience and assimilating into the Cambridge culture. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
We had one-on-one meetings with the College Nurse in the first week of the program and the support system was clearly explained. The nurse was always on her mobile phone and was easily accessible. |
* Safety: |
Cambridge is a very safe city, although I felt that I needed to look over my shoulders while walking alone in certain streets at night. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
There were relatively cheap places around market square and next to Downing College. Dining halls food can be expensive at times. |
Language
* Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | I think it is still very important to review for the final examinations during the Easter Break even though we were encouraged to take a break from our studies. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
Individual Course Reviews
Course Name/Rating: |
Modern Societies |
Course Department: | Human, Social and Political Science |
Instructor: | Claire Grant |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | Dr. Grant was extremely passionate about the subject and all topics discussed, for example, Marx's concept of alienation and his critiques. I studied social aspects of Economics that I would otherwise not have taken at my home institution. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |