Wroxton College of Fairleigh Dickinson University

Wroxton College of Fairleigh Dickinson University

About

Wroxton College is Fairleigh Dickinson University's campus in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1965, Wroxton College was the first campus in the UK to be owned and operated by an American university. Since then, it has hosted more than 10,000 students from more than 200 colleges and universities for semester and summer programs. Housed in historic Wroxton Abbey, in Oxfordshire, the ancestral home of Lord North, Prime Minister of Great Britain during the American Revolution, Wroxton College combines challenging academics (taught in the British tutorial style), magnificent surroundings, and a wide range of cultural and travel opportunities.

Reviews

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Abbey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wroxton College

Leaving the States and my family and friends for 4 months to study abroad felt scary. However, after arriving at Wroxton it was easy to call this place my second home. Not only are the professors incredibly helpful and supportive, the entire staff including the cooks, front desk administrators and cleaning crew felt like family quickly after moving in. I went to Wroxton without knowing anyone else studying aborad and ended up leaving with friends that I continue to travel around the world with.

Pros
  • Easy access to trains/shuttles/airports
  • Staff is incredibly helpeful & Friendly
  • Became a better student/learner
Cons
  • Not getting semester schedule (breaks included) until the first week
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Daria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Spring Semester Review

My semester at Wroxton College was one that I will not forget. The staff and faculty are such a warm and welcoming crowd. They really do make the Wroxton Abbey feel like a home away from home. They take you on the most amazing day and weekend trips that will create memories for you to last a lifetime. You also end up creating special friendships with the students you are studying with there. The course load is rigorous but there are 4 beautiful library rooms to study in with your peers and the professors have office hours and would love to work with you.

Pros
  • Seeing sites in England
  • Kind and friendly staff, just like family.
Cons
  • Need a car to get to Banbury (nearest town), cannot safely walk there
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Goran
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing and incredibly transformational!

My term abroad (Fall 1997) at Wroxton was amazing and arguably the most transformational semester I had at university, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels - it was such an incredible experience! I found the British tutorial style of teaching to be dramatically different from what I was accustomed to, and a welcomed approach, emphasizing both in-class and real-world learning. What could be better than studying Shakespeare - then going to Stratford-upon-Avon for a play? Or learning about British government and politics, then going to London to sit in on a session in the Houses of Lords and Commons? I cannot fully put into words just how meaningful the time I spent at Wroxton was, along with thanking all of the wonderful people that made the experience as great as it was. When I returned to campus, I could not stop repeating a mantra, to anyone who would listen: if you are considering going to Wroxton, go! If not, starting considering it! I am grateful for everything that Wroxton introduced to me - transformational!

Pros
  • The atmosphere
  • The people
  • The culture
Cons
  • I wish I had spent the whole year there, instead of just one semester!
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Rachel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wroxton is the BEST

My semester at Wroxton College was my first semester of my senior year at FDU. it was the Fall of 1988 and I was an English Major about to graduate the following semester. I took one of the greatest courses I’ve ever taken in my entire life, which was called the plays the thing it enabled us to go to Stratford upon Avon watch Shakespearean plays each week. It was mesmerizing to not only being able to read and study the place, but then also see it come to life on the stage, I also had the opportunity to learn about British government, and art history of England. I found an English boyfriend there which turned I to a long distance relationship for at least one year. at Wroxton, I went to castles to celebrate and drank Mead. I recently went to a Renaissance Faire in Sarasota, FL which is near where I live now, and it so reminded me of living in England and my wonderful friends and people who worked there. It is a cherished memory and a school that I continue to support both emotionally and financially. ❤️ Thank you and LOVE to Wroxton and all who keep the program going.

Pros
  • wonderful staff and different culture
  • Excellent academics
  • Great atmosphere to learn and grow in
Cons
  • Different currency
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Brianne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Would Go Back in a Heartbeat!

This program was my favorite part of my entire college experience! You can tell the professors and staff genuinely care about the students. The classes are interesting and the workload balanced perfectly with the trips and experiences. I was able to visit places I'd never even dreamed I could. The Abbey was such a beautiful place to stay. Made some lifelong friends here and wish I could go back everyday! Honestly recommend anyone who has the chance to go to take it. Don't miss out on this amazing program.

Pros
  • Experiences
  • Travel
  • Friendships

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

Wroxton College isn't just a location to study abroad at; it is an experience. Many study abroad programs supply the school, housing, and possibly food for your stay. However, Wroxton fills your entire time studying abroad with day trips, weekend trips, and experiences that you will never forget. There is not a moment of down time at Wroxton. You are constantly immersed in English and European culture. And who wouldn't want to live in a 12th century Jacobean house? Living at Wroxton is like tasting what royalty is like in England. The grounds and house offer such an idyllic setting for classes and leisure.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Fairleigh- Dickinson University provided nearly everything for my study abroad experience. Flights to and from England were covered. Transport to and from the airports to the college were covered. Weekend trips, day trips, books for classes, lodging, and food were all covered. I basically only had to get transportation to and from the Newark Airport in New Jersey. Apart from that, you are free to spend and go on your own trips as much as you like when you are at Wroxton. I participated in nearly all of the included day and weekend trips the college provided, and went on my own 12 day trip in the middle of the semester.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I say this all the time: no naps! You might be exhausted from travelling and classes. But if you don't absolutely need to catch up on sleep, go on that trip, go explore with your friends, go for that bike ride. You can nap when you are back home. But studying abroad is a short time. Don't waste it snoozing away! I wish I had taken less naps when I was studying abroad. Any time wasted when studying abroad cannot be recovered. And never in your life will you have the freedom to travel to another country for a few months and basically only have to pay tuition.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I was lucky the way my schedule worked out. I only had classes Tuesday-Thursday. Classes meet for 2-3 hours every week, with another hour every other week (tutorials). At Wroxton, you will take 5 classes, and the bulk of your grade will be the final exams. Fridays-Sundays the college organizes day trips around England as well as some weekend trips to Scotland and France. These are voluntary, and you can choose to travel on your own on the weekends. In the middle of the semester there is a 12 day break, where you can travel where you want. During the week when I wasn't in class I typically spent 3 hours per class per week preparing for tutorials/writing papers. At Wroxton, there is a lot of down time to explore the Abbey/grounds with friends.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear going into studying abroad was making friends. I was going to a school where many people knew each other, and I would know no one. I am a shy person, however I thrive in a friend group. My fears were assuaged when one of my (now) best friends Kate came up to me at the Newark Airport and introduced herself to me as well as complimented my hair. Sometimes all it takes to make a new best friend it a sweet little compliment. We immediately became our "go-to's" at Wroxton and quickly expanded our group into six. I'm so thankful to have had Kate, Olivia, Kristina, Maria, and Chris at Wroxton. Sharing your study abroad experience with such a strong friend group makes it so much more fun. And even after studying abroad is over, you still have those friends for life.

What was the best advice you received before studying abroad that you took to heart?

"Experiences are way more valuable then items."

You remember experiences way more than that expensive souvenir you wanted. When I was abroad, I typically chose to spend my money on experiences, i.e. going places/doing excursions, verses buying material items. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy any mementos when you are abroad, but make sure you consciously saving some money to explore the place you are at. You can probably buy that mug, that flag, and that scarf in your home country. But you can't explore the Scottish highlands, climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, or go inside La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, in your home country.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Andrew Rose

Job Title
Librarian and Creative Writing professor
Andrew started working at the College in January 2012 as a librarian. Since then, he has taken on other responsibilities, including teaching the Creative Writing course and overseeing the College's social media presence.
Andrew Rose

What is your favorite travel memory?

Traveling to Australia in 2008; an absolutely amazing country.

I stayed in Melbourne and Sydney and saw so much of the area. In many ways, it reminded me a lot of Great Britain. I'd love to go back one day, but it's such a long way!

The wildlife is something else. I fed kangaroos, met koalas and saw penguins. The food was good and the scenery spectacular.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I love working at Wroxton College. It is far and away the best job I've ever had.

My job has branched out from when I first started. I was initially the college librarian. I now also oversee our social media presence and teach the Creative Writing course. I am also the college archivist. I have learnt new skills and have had a lot of projects over the years which I've enjoyed working on, such as creating an on-line library catalog and building a whole new library in the George III room.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

How their time at Wroxton has had such a positive impact on their life. I think it's a fantastic experience and wish I'd been able to do something like Wroxton when I was a student. Students often say that they grow as a person whilst they're over here. And it's so nice seeing returning students as you really get to know everyone whilst they're here.

It's always sad having to wave goodbye at the end of a semester.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

There are lots of day trips and weekend trips arranged for the students and I'm fortunate in that I've gone on a lot of them - Warwick Castle, Kenilworth Castle, Bath, London, the Harry Potter Studio Tour, the Cotswolds... The list is almost endless.

The students always go on a long weekend trip to Paris and a long weekend trip to Edinburgh. I haven't done those ones yet, so maybe I'll get to go on those trips one day.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Wroxton College is a fantastic place to work. It's a unique building in a beautiful setting. The first time I walked up the drive, saw the building and toured the grounds, I could tell I was somewhere special and now I'm working here. I get up in the morning and want to go to work. Not everyone can say that.

I work on my own in the library and so in that respect I don't have a team, but at the same time I do because, as we're such a small, friendly community, all the staff in the college are part of my team. We have lots of events throughout the year like the talent show, choir performances, decorating the Christmas tree and it's always good seeing everyone come together.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

We have a fantastic building in a beautiful location and that certainly helps, but it's all about the people.

Provided you have good people that want to do their best and aren't just working for themselves but for the good of the whole organization, you'll succeed. The vast majority of the staff have been here for years. They don't want to leave and neither do I!

Professional Associations

The Forum on Education Abroad Logo
Institute of International Education Logo
NAFSA Logo