Hard Work, Good Classes, and Close Friends July 12, 2022
By A student (Economics and Philosophy, Brandeis University) - abroad from 10/03/2021 to 06/19/2022 with
University of Oxford - Visiting Students
It was very worthwhile. I learned a bit about the UK and, through that, a bit about myself and the US.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Oxford system of tutorials is very rigorous, though some aspects of it can change for the worse or better depending on the tutor you are assigned. No matter what, it is challenging. However, some of the other, more particular, benefits to it (encouraging independent thinking, forcing you to defend your ideas, giving practice in prepared argumentation) only come with certain tutors. Nevertheless, the tutorial system is a great academic experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
As a visiting student at Hertford, the program took a generally hands-off approach, giving us support if we needed it and an initial orientation, but otherwise checking in with us a couple of times a term with few mandatory meetings and optional trips. This was apt, as it allowed us to mix more freely with one another and the non-visiting students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing arrangements were fine, as far as quality goes. What made them especially good was that we were mixed in thoroughly with the non-visiting students, making it much easier to spend time with, befriend, and talk with them. |
| * Food: |
The school's food was alright, but the formals (when they happen changes depending on where you go in Oxford, but most happen a couple times per week) had good food and the town had a great variety of food. Najar's, The Alternative Tuck Shop, McCoy's, and more. Some great eats in the area, and a bus that goes straight into London. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very integrated. If you took the time and effort to try and meet people, either through proximity or sports or clubs, you could become highly integrated. Not everyone did, but of my 10 closest friends on the trip, only one was a fellow visiting student. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have experience with this, but my understanding is that the NHS is fine as long as you don't mind there sometimes being a bit of a waitlist. |
| * Safety: |
The city was safe. I have heard issues of spiking drinks, but neither I nor anyone I knew experienced this in Oxford. A friend did have his drink spiked in London, but I'm also not sure about the overall rates of these kinds of things. Watch your drinks and everything else should be fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I made some incredible friends in my time abroad while having the opportunity to learn from both them and brilliant professors. |
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) |
It depends on what you want to do. It should be fairly easy to live on a student's budget if you are minimize eating out and going to pubs and so on. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| 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? |
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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? | If you're open and friendly and okay with talking to strangers, you'll find people to make friends. |
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! |
