Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learning (and unlearning) the Oxford Method September 04, 2025

By (History, Wellesley College) - abroad from 10/14/2024 to 06/20/2025 with

Worcester College, University of Oxford - Visiting Students Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to navigate in a new country and new academic environment, but most of all I learned my own limits and how to respect them.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I took eye-opening classes in topics I never heard of (even at Wellesley), made enduring friendships through this program, felt thoroughly accepted in the student communities I was part of, and became familiarised with English geography and culture as a whole.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? £150/USD$200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Meal prep, use student discounts, get free clubcards/memberships, handwash clothes when possible.

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

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • Personalisation of tutorials
  • Wide range of modules
  • Enriching student life
* What could be improved?
  • Number of contact hours
  • Extent of Academic integration with local students
  • Cost of Accommodation/Facilities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that the programme was mostly self-teaching, that I had to unlearn typical university essay writing habits, and then unlearn the Oxford way before I returned to my home institution (long, structured essays serving only as a reflection tool for readings rather than a conclusive product after fully understanding a topic).