<p>Has anyone ever studied abroad in the UK, or anywhere else? What is it like? Not just an abroad program but also if you applied directly to the school, like Oxford or Cambridge, and decided to go there--how rough of a transition is it and is it possibly more fun or interesting than plain old American college? I want to do study abroad when I am in college and I want to go to Oxford for it, but I am worried about how smooth the transition is and how much of a culture shock it is to go across the pond to England and be a student in an British school. It seems like it would be great fun, but how different is it? Has anyone ever decided they'd rather stay there? Like, finish college there, or move there when they are done with college in the states?</p>
<p>I'm going to King's College London on friday (for the whole degree, not just study abroad)</p>
<p>On of my teachers in high school studied abroad at Oxford. She said the teaching style was totally different. (It was way back in sophomore year, but) I think you make a statement or a presentation, and then defend it against other arguements. (Anyone who knows for sure can correct me or elaborate). She said the workload was a lot harder there, but she loved it.</p>
<p>If you're an American enrolling directly into a British university, you'll have to deal with an entirely different application procedure, and also be prepared to hear that they do not consider your high school education to be sufficient preparation for entering a British degree programme (it is common to recommend that American students complete one year at a US university and then apply again). Because there is no financial aid for foreign students, it will also be very expensive, and the cost of living is higher.</p>
<p>All in all, though, it can be a fabulous, rewarding experience, and a degree from a British institution will be just as valuable to you as an American one, regardless of where you end up in the world. </p>
<p>As for me, I did something really strange. I enrolled directly into a Romanian university (the University of Bucharest). That was a lot of hard work, dealing with an impossible, post-Communist bureaucracy, and trying to get things done (everything seemed like a headache!). The services there were deplorable, and they didn't have much experience dealing with foreign students (you'd never face that problem in the UK), so I rather quickly became legendary among many professors and administration as "the American". I thoroughly, wholeheartedly enjoyed my time there.</p>
<p>Sorry.... just reminiscing. :-)</p>
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be prepared to hear that they do not consider your high school education to be sufficient preparation for entering a British degree programme (it is common to recommend that American students complete one year at a US university and then apply again).
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<p>The only college I've heard of that suggests that is UCL - and that's only if you have less than 4 APs.</p>
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The only college I've heard of that suggests that is UCL - and that's only if you have less than 4 APs.
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<p>I didn't realise that.... that's interesting.</p>
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On of my teachers in high school studied abroad at Oxford. She said the teaching style was totally different. (It was way back in sophomore year, but) I think you make a statement or a presentation, and then defend it against other arguements. (Anyone who knows for sure can correct me or elaborate). She said the workload was a lot harder there, but she loved it
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<p>Yes, students have tutorials which are either 1-to-1 with a tutor or 2 or 3 students to a tutor. Generally you are given a essay title, which is like a question (I'm a biology student and once got "What do biologists mean by why? Discuss."). So you discuss (and this means argue) the title with the tutor/other students, then go away and write 5000+ words on it to be marked for the next tutorial. Lectures can be pretty big, escpecially in the first year (100+ students sometimes in sciences. I think the arts usually have smaller classes but I'm a Biologist) but tutorials are tiny.</p>
<p>The biggest difference between European schools in general and US schools is that you apply to study one particular subject and that is ALL you get to study. No minors. Search for other threads here which discuss this. Or try <a href="http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk%5B/url%5D">www.thestudentroom.co.uk</a> which is a UK version of this forum.</p>
<p>morningtheft is right in that I've never met a US student here who didn't do at least a year of a US school before enrolling. But it is possible because if you read the parents' forum there is someone with a son matriculating at Oxford straight out of high school.</p>
<p>-Cupcake</p>
<p>I'm going into Trinity College in Ireland, straight out of high school! Can't wait.</p>
<p>You're going to be in 1st year in a month? Welcome to Dublin :)</p>
<p>Thanks. :)</p>
<p>Let us know how you get on :)</p>
<p>I studied abroad at Oxford when I was an undergrad. I loved it so much I am back for grad school.</p>
<p>can someone compare the academic rigor of their study abroad experience at oxford or cambridge (or any top UK university) to their home college? (please list home college to help us gauge difference in difficulty)</p>
<p>Hey KFC4U,</p>
<p>The academic experience actually diverge widely for students studying abroad, even within programs. There are many abroad programs at Oxford and Cambridge that are not integrated into the university and are taught by people who do not hold official posts in the university. For example, I was invited to apply for a teaching job, offering tutorials to US students and I have never taught before. A friend of mine is being paid handsomely to do just that this summer and he has never taught at Oxford before that either (Certain graduates do give tutorials after training, though as first years this past year we both havent being trained). </p>
<p>When I studied abroad, I considered the program I did to be excellent: Butler University's ISA program. You are integrated into the colleges and you are looked after directly by fellows of your college. My professor at UCSD at the time had friends at Oxford who were willing to tutor me through personal connections so I was able to expand beyond what my college and the program had to offer. Some programs house you away from college and are not able to provide the best tutors so please do your research.</p>
<p>Lastly for academic rigor, it is actually often easier for abroad students at Oxford especially compared to home students because british students study according to a strict curriculum and what they will be tested on. Since as a visiting student, you dont really sit for official exams, you are more free to pursue your interests but as result, you do not experience the same level of academic pressure. That being said, the tutorial system at Oxford is very different from UCs. It is harder because you have to absorb much more material in a shorter amount of time. As an Poli Sci major, you will be given a reading list often 10-15 books you have to race through it in a week (if you have two tutorials that week, which is possible, your workload doubles) and compose an essay and be ready to explain/defend your argument in tutorial. It could be daunting at first but it gets easier as you progress.</p>
<p>Thats my two cents and I hope its helpful.</p>