195 reviews
4.29 / 5 based on 195 reviews
Useful |
3
amandadenny
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work
Personal spending habits
Well, it's hard not to want to experience nearly everything when you're outside of your home country, so as a result, travel costs tripled! Try to watch eating out every day; it really adds up! Going to the grocery store/covered market and picking up breads and cheeses for the week saved a lot of money.
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Travel, Telephone, Food, Overall:
was more expensive than at home.
Nightlife:
was the same price as at home.
Housing:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
It's also easy to be free with the plastic, so I'd recommend withdrawing a fixed amount of cash each week from a cash dispenser and trying to only spend that much (so very hard to do, but possible).
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0
amandadenny
Academic
Course recommendations
Well, most of these exchange programs have pre-determined course "packages" (mine, for instance, required you to take the 4 courses outlined in the program). This is great, as long as you're interested in all of the courses offered (otherwise, you may be able to arrange a substitution of independent study for one of the courses).
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
Useful |
1
amandadenny
Overall
I wish I had known...
I think the most difficult experience is realized upon RE-entry back into your home country...somehow, everything seems dramatically different, yet unchanged.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Oriel College was a fantastic introduction to the larger network that is Oxford University. The instructors were great and I'd highly recommend the university in terms of facilities/location.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Bring a first aid kit and lots of your favorite (familiar) headache/stomach-ache remedies! The names of meds will throw you for a loop, especially if you catch a cold in old Blighty!
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0
amandadenny
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
This hardly applies, as I speak English and studied in an English-speaking country, but it was great to learn all of the colloquialisms abroad!
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0
amandadenny
Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
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Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
The King's Arms pub and the Chequers Pub on the High Street were both great; walking along the River Isis (Thames) was a great way to take in a rowing match and meet some friendly folks.
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Useful |
0
amandadenny
Housing
Type of housing: With a family
Arranged by: Home university
If returning, I would choose: A room exchange
Why?
To gain a different perspective of life abroad
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Personal comments
The family was fantastic; all accommodations were taken care of, so there was less time to worry about details and more time to soak up the culture!
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