The Dreaming Spires of Oxford Past Review
By Sarah Z (International Relations-History, Wellesley College) for
University of Oxford - Visiting Students
I absolutely loved my year at Oxford. I really hope I am able to spend some more time there at some point in my life. The intensely academic lifestyle, however, has taught me that a life of academia is not for me. As such, it has really helped me define my future career and academic plans. I wholeheartedly recommend Oxford. It's a beautiful place and the studies are excellent.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
If you are expecting an "easy" study abroad adventure, Oxford is most definitely not the place. But if you're even considering Oxford/are eligible for a year of study at Oxford, you probably already know that. Both the caliber of academics and the workload level are intense, even by standards of a competitive American university. This is largely because Oxford (like Cambridge) follows a one-on-one tutorial system, whereby students take two "papers" each term with a "tutor". Each tutorial is held once a week (or on a fortnightly basis) and the tutor expects you to have done the research for and written an essay on the subject by the time of the tutorial. The tutorial system is extremely rigorous and is perhaps the greatest difference between Oxbridge and the American educational system. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program appeared to be well-established and included about thirty students. Furthermore, the Director of Visiting Students did appear to take students' views into consideration. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a dorm/apartment style building called the Ablethorpe Building (loving referred to as "Dale") that housed other Visiting Students and Oxford local students who were in their final years. The dorm was just off the city center at the beginning of Cowley Road. Cowley is a very multi-ethnic part of Oxford and it's a great place to eat. Tesco (a grocery store) is within walking distance from the dorm, as is Boots (a pharmacy). Mansfield College is about a 15 minute walk from Dale. I loved living in Dale as it was just off the city center, and an area with many immigrants, so I was able to experience far more than just the typical Oxford University student life of thirteenth-century buildings. However, at night, Cowley Road isn't the safest part of Oxford, so it is best to be vigilant. It is also far removed from areas of nightlife, but just a two-minute walk from the health clinic. Sheets and cookware were provided by the college for Visiting Students at Dale. Aesthetically, the building and the area are not pleasing, especially when compared to the beauty of the city-center of Oxford. The bathroom and kitchen at Dale are shared amongst approximately six students. |
| * Food: |
If you have any religious dietary restrictions (halal/kosher, for example), living at Dale is wonderful because Cowley Road is a very multi-ethnic. Also, there are many halal restaurants at Oxford. In terms of dining, Oxford (and England, as a general rule) are very expensive places to dine. As a result, most students end up self-catering (cooking for themselves). Besides Cowley Road, George Street is also a very popular place to eat for students. Also, the ubiquitous kebab vans at Oxford are a must-try for all Oxford students! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program arranged no special events that were memorable. However, I recommend for future students to attend Freshers' Fair and sign-up for any and all societies (clubs) that they're interested in. The entire social life at Oxford is based on joining societies. It really is where you will "meet your best friend and/or soul mate" as sometimes joked. Through societies, you will have the chance to meet more people and take part in cultural events and attractions. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Generally speaking, Oxford is a very safe place. I heard of some rape incidents, but to be honest, felt very safe even when walking home alone at night. The health care offered is part of the National Health Service (NHS) and is free. Despite the horrors I heard about the NHS, I was very pleased with their service. Also, unlike the U.S., another positive point about the British health care system is that contraception is provided free of charge. |
| 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? | I probably spent around 100 GBP a week on food and personal expenses, but that figure can be greatly reduced/increased depending on how often you eat out/go out at night. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | There were no unanticipated expenses that I can think of. |
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? | I would recommend Oxford ONLY to those students who are completely self-motivated and independent. Otherwise, you will not be able to survive at all. There are no "classes"; you are completely one-on-one with a tutor who is (often) an expert in their field. There is no spoon feeding whatsoever, so if you're not absolutely excited about spending hours in the library reading, then do not apply to this program. However, if you're interested in being at one of the most intellectually stimulating places in the WORLD and meeting all sorts of interesting lecturers and speakers, then Oxford is the place for you. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Islam |
| Course Department: | Faculty of Theology: Islam I |
| Instructor: | Afifi al-Akiti |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course was most definitely challenging. But it was also, by far, the most intellectual stimulating course that I took at my time at university. The tutor was extremely well-prepared and epitomized the Oxford academic. He made me think about Islam in a way I never did before. To top it off, he was a celebrated Sufi Shaykh and so taking a course with him was definitely an honor. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
History of Renaissance Venice and Florence |
| Course Department: | Faculty of History |
| Instructor: | Valentina Pugliano |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The course was definitely challenging. I am a history major, and at my home institution of Wellesley, students frequently take courses in subjects that they are not familiar with. In fact, you are encouraged to do so. Here, I took a class on Renaissance Italy and was very discouraged. At Oxford, taking a course (particularly in the Faculty of History) on a subject with which you are not familiar with is not something that I would recommend at all. That is because without prior knowledge on the subject, the reading is very hard to do, and by extension, it become very difficult to write an essay in a week on the subject. Another issue I had with the course was that it was taught by a D.Phil (PhD) student who was just several years older. At Wellesley, all professors have PhDs, so it was a little different to have a student teach me. It also goes against the general thought that at Oxford experts in their field are the ones who give tutorials. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | N/A |
