After having spent years in the U.S education system what real benefits does it offer to a student to study abroad at Oxbridge, whether it is for a few weeks (via our Summer Program) or a few months (via our Gap Year programs)?
There are in fact all kinds of advantages to be gained, but some reasons to study abroad at Oxbridge are perhaps more compelling than others. As they are two of the most respected centers of higher learning in the world any student can expect to receive a first class educational experience, whether they pick Oxford University or its ‘friendly rival’ Cambridge, but there are other, less obvious, but just as compelling, reasons to do so. Here are just some of them:
You’ll Acquire All Kinds of New Skills – It’s very likely that whatever course of study you choose that your classroom experience will be rather different to the one you are used to and the new educational skills you acquire are likely to be the same. However there are other new skills students can pick up too.
You can explore new experiences and sports that just aren’t as popular – or even possible – to pursue at home. Have you ever played cricket? Croquet? Punted? Studied in a library once frequented by future world leaders, Nobel laureates and great literary figures? Explored castles that are over 1,000 years old and walked in the footsteps of the long dead royals and nobles you may have read about in books? All of these experiences and more are available to Campus Oxford students.
You’ll Develop as an ‘Adult Person’ – Leaving the comfort of home and studying abroad can be a little daunting but by making that leap you’ll be breaking out of your comfort zone and get the chance to challenge yourself with uncommon experiences that will make you reconsider – or strengthen – your values and develop a much better sense of who you are as an independent young adult rather than just a kid.
You’ll Experience a Different Culture First Hand – There are certainly many similarities between life in the US and life in the UK but, as our students quickly discover, there are also a great many differences, even though, technically, we speak the same language. You’ll experience new customs, learn about new to you traditions, values and behaviors and of course get to try different foods and meet some very different people. It’s an understanding of another culture that just can’t be learned from a book.
You’ll Create Some Wonderful Lasting Memories – Many Campus Oxford alumni describe their time with us as some of the best of their lives, even years later. You’ll make new friends, see and explore places that you might never have imagined you’d see and create fabulous memories that will last a lifetime.
You’ll Have a Great Addition for Your Resume – Both college admissions staff and, further down the line prospective employers, are looking for individuals who are as well rounded as possible and the addition of the experience of studying abroad, especially in an environment as storied as Oxbridge, will impress these people and help you stand out from the crowd.
