Wroxton College of Fairleigh Dickinson University

Program Reviews

Default avatar
Marina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Wroxton family

Wroxton college was the most amazing experience of my life. The abbey is absolutely beautiful and the staff treats you like their own family. Wroxton has given me memories for the rest of my life that I will forever cherish. The schoolwork is challenging but the experience makes it well worth it. I just recently left this experience behind and I miss it more than I ever thought was possible! My Wroxton semester was the best of my life and I would recommend the experience to absolutely everyone!

What was your funniest moment?
All the late night conversations with the overnight security staff after nights out
Default avatar
LoriLee
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Outstanding

I live in NY. I was raised in NJ. But I grew up at Wroxton. The experience is that transformational. The academic offerings are superior and the cultural opportunities abound. The setting couldn't be more appropriate for the opening of minds. The Abby oozes history and the grounds are meticulously kept. The tutorial system of learning is challenging but rewarding on so many levels. Studying Shakespeare and then traveling to Stratford to actually see the plays is the perfect way to experience the Bard. The curriculum and programming leave many opportunties for experiential learning. There are many options for travel-study abroad. But this location and program are unsurpassed. I attended for a traditional semester abroad but the shorter length programs are also available for the non-traditional learner. The Village of Wroxton is picture perfect with thatch-roofed homes and a duck pond. It's quintessential Cotswolds with charm and elegance.

Default avatar
Leslie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience of my Life

Wroxton was the best experience of my life. Coming from a college student who had absolutely no desire to study abroad, I am so glad I pushed myself to go. I made the best friends of my life that I still talk to to this day. It was a good value since I paid the same price as I do a regular semester at my college, which included food, room, all the amazing trips and more. The trips were AMAZING and the staff are AMAZING. Academics are very challenging and it can get stressful during midterm and finals season with numerous assignments due at the same time, but I grew as a student and can now manage much more than I once thought I could. Overall, I grew as an individual and wish i could go back to this day. I HIGHLY recommend studying abroad at Wroxton.

What would you improve about this program?
The food was not the best. The cooking staff were also very rude at times and told me to stop talking several times. They are not used to American "bluntness."
Read my full story
Default avatar
Katy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Adult Students are Welcome Here

What I love about historic Wroxton is it continues to be vibrant in its program offerings, appealing well beyond undergraduate college years. See for yourself online the many specialty British liberal arts theme short-course offerings and professional workshops. The British tutors are incredible. The outings to historic destinations, well chosen. Facilities are up-to-date without losing the feel as if you are living royalty. There’s even twice daily teatime! The Cotswold setting is authentic, peaceful and bucolic. The Wroxton Experience is a fairytale come to life. I am among many who “graduated” and then returned with my family and fell in love all over again. It is life-enriching. An experience to be shared with those you know and love. Don’t miss it.

What would you improve about this program?
I hope programs continue to offer more British specialties (literature, history, politics, art, etc.) I see whole market appeal for affiliate colleges and universities, and for active older adult learners serious about enriching their life experiences.
Read my full story
Default avatar
Eli
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Possibly The Most Important Semester Of My Life

Studying a semester at Wroxton College cemented a lot of things for me: a broader world view on politics, culture, and language; a hopefully lifelong love of travel; the confidence to travel independently; and a totally new perspective on the American academic system. The Wroxton program was one of the reasons I decided to go to Fairleigh Dickinson in the US. Due to the nature of education at Wroxton, where an English staff teach traditionally English structured courses, it ended up being the most difficult and academically demanding - and rewarding - semester of my undergrad. Returning to the USA, the difference in how much I got out of my classes was unbelievable. I’d have studied four years at Wroxton if I could. The English system of lectures and smaller tutorial classes made me a much stronger student, and really challenged me to actually care about the material being studied and form my own opinions; more is expected of you as a student, but more is expected of professors as well, and the opportunity for one on one learning was much greater there than in classes I took stateside. Sometimes the professors might push you far out of your comfort zone; but widening your perspective to figure out how best to work together is part of the challenge. Academics are only one part of Wroxton, however - the other is the invaluable trip schedule that happens every weekend. In 15 weeks we saw more of the United Kingdom than most people who live there see in several years. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday there were trips to museums, sports matches, famous estates and ruins, cities including London, Paris and Edinburgh, and so much more. Almost all of this travel was included in the cost of the program. Halfway through the semester students take a week long travel break to go explore on their own. Thinking about all of that, the balance between academic work and travel is a tough one, but it’s absolutely possible to make it work and come out the other side having had an amazing experience. The third and maybe most important part of Wroxton is the physical abbey and surrounding towns that students - and some faculty - live in. Wroxton abbey is a historical jewel. It’s not often you get to live in a building whose roots are older than the country you arrived from. Every room there is different, and all of them have been recently renovated or are undergoing renovation now. Living at Wroxton is living in a kind of fairy tale. When I say it was completely and utterly unreal, I mean it. The grounds of the abbey stretch for acres and acres into the forests surrounding, with landscaping and a lake left behind by previous tenents. Wroxton the village is as Cotswold as it can be, with a historic churchyard and cemetery, thatched roofs, and village pubs where you can get a hot meal and become a regular with kind and welcoming barkeepers. Due to the rite of passage laws in the UK, anyone can follow footpaths up and down the rolling hills through sheep pastures, over fences and past old monuments and broken structures. Nearby is the bustling city of Banbury, where shuttles take students and visitors every week to go grocery shopping and look around. Just writing this review, I’m realizing again how much of a gift it was to have been able to live there, and how much to this day I still want to return. Even though the United Kingdom is an English speaking country, it is just as foreign as anywhere else, and this program has more value than I can say in words. It will be difficult, it will be a huge challenge, and it will be worth every single minute, from the moment you step off the plane to the moment you return.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Two things.
1. RE: the mid-semester travel break, or even some of the weekend trips. If you’ve never gone urban backpacking or solo-ish traveling before, try and go with an open mind. As long as you keep your wits about you and take precautions like locking your passport in your hotel or hostel and keeping your phone charged, don’t feel tied down by others you’re traveling with to go see stuff or do things you don’t want to. If you feel comfortable, go off on your own and spend some time forming your own experiences and memories. Traveling with friends is an incredible and also precarious thing - you want to still have your friendships intact and not stress each other out on your trip!
2. Along the same lines, Wroxton is a small place. Yes, the building is endless and you will get lost inside, but a full house of students and visitors is still only around 55-60 people. Social situations can get kind of weird when you’re with so few people for so long. Take some time and get out of the abbey and do your own thing, and get others to do the same. Even living in such an amazing place, people need their space - and telling others about whatever solo adventure you’ve done is a better story than the one about how the huge group you went with couldn’t agree which coffee to get and wasted a bunch of time wandering in circles. Take some risks and get out there!
Default avatar
Lyndsey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Absolutely Amazing

Wroxton was the best thing I have ever done. I recommend it to everyone who is given the opportunity. The staff is so nice and willing to go above and beyond in order to make sure the students have the best time ever. Going to Wroxton allowed me to meet some of my lifelong friends, which I will truly be grateful for. Dean Baldwin and Dr. Garrity although they were my only two teachers while I was over there, they were my favorite. Both professor made sure I truly understood everything I was learning. To Ron and Zoe in reception, thank you for always keeping the Abbey safe and being someone I can always come to even when Im in America. Thank you for allowing me to have the best semester yet. Wroxton College will always have a place in my heart.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
When studying abroad live with the motto, "You only live once". Do absolutely everything you are given the opportunity to do. You never know the next time you will be going to England, so do not let anything stop you and your decisions.
Default avatar
Kayla
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best decision of my College Career

Wroxton was hands down the Best experience of my time in college. The campus was beyond beautiful and it was a historic 15th Century Abbey which added to the magic of living there. Few study abroad programs offer such unique housing. The educational program there was also challenging but rewarding, and differed from regular American college styles of teaching and curriculum. I was able to form an individual relationship with every staff member due to the small class sizes which was beneficial. And that’s all in addition to the amazing travel, theatre, cultural, and historic opportunities that the program offered in addition to academics. I left Wroxton in 2014 and I still recommend it to people and talk about my experiences today and probably will
continue to do so for the rest of my life. I hope to one day return to Wroxton and visit my home away from home!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would explore the grounds and local village more
Default avatar
Melanie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Study Abroad Dream Come True

Wroxton College is a once in a lifetime opportunity to live and study in a 17th century Abbey. The professors and staff at Wroxton, truly care about teaching and expanding your knowledge on a variety of subjects. You will become immersed in the United Kingdom's history and culture. The program's courses, weekend trips and tours allow you to experience and learn about England and the United Kingdom first hand. The professors always make themselves available if you have any questions or concerns. The program also allows you to take a ten day travel break. You'll truly enjoy the meals and the morning and afternoon tea times as well! If you are considering to attend a study abroad program, I urge you to attend Wroxton College! You will not be sorry!

Default avatar
Rachel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life!

My time in Wroxton has proven to be the best experience of my life! Close to 4 months of exploring the UK and Europe has been a world changing experience. When you first arrive at Wroxton, a small community surrounds the college where everyone knows each other and everyone feels safe. The large ancient abbey was an amazing place to live in! The group of people I went over there with (around 45 people) became some of my closest friends. We essentially became a family. The teachers at the school actually felt like they cared for our studies and wanted us to learn and expand our minds. Every few weeks we would go on big trips to either London, Paris, Edinburgh, wales and whatever spring break we planned! I went to Ireland with my best friend and roommate. Each new place we travelled we had around 3 days to explore and boy did we explore! I was always exhausted from our trips but they were always worth it! Even normal day to day going around the Abbey or exploring the local town of Banbury was always a fun time. If you are debating on studying abroad, don't. Just do it. It will change your life forever!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If you are travelling to Wroxton college anytime soon, please remember a few things. 1. You should always be exploring! Whether its exploring locally or exploring while you're traveling to other countries. Try and see as much as you can. Before you know it you'll be back home! 2. Try new things! Now is the time to try stuff you wouldnt normally do. There are tons of new experiences around you so do them while you can! And finally 3. Just have fun! Some people were too embarrassed or intimidated by being with new people for a few months. The thing is, those people are feeling the same way. That group of 45 people I went across the pond with knew me better than some of my best friends by the end of the trip. Enjoy yourself and dont forget to take tons of pictures!
Default avatar
Cassi
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Most Amazing Experience!

I had the best time at Wroxton and I am so thankful that I was able to go for an entire semester. From the minute that the bus pulled up to the Wroxton Abbey, it was clear that my time in Wroxton was going to be an amazing experience. The semester experience includes "smaller" trips every weekend (London, Stonehenge, Kenilworth Castle, Brighton, Bath, Cardiff and MORE) as well as larger trips to Scotland and France for no extra cost. There is also a 10 day "travel break" (along with countless weekends) for additional travel. I was able to see Ireland, Italy, Spain, and Wales on my free time! The classes and professors are amazing. I still can't believe that I spent an entire semester living in the Abbey! The Wroxton Experience is life changing.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I got to run a half marathon in Pembrokshire, Wales!
Read my full story