Semester at Wroxton College - An American Campus in England

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

The “Wroxton experience”was the best time of my life.

See the video of the Abbey and the grounds. As a student there, the place is yours; like living in a museum or Downton Abbey.

The small classes or “tutorials” were just right for learning and the weekend trips all around the UK were great fun. I really understand England now.

Stratford and Oxford are only 30 minutes away. Actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company come to the Abbey to sit and chat with you. My class sat with Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley.

While we spent several weekends in London, there were so many other places around the UK that were actually more interesting and fun to visit.

And, before or after your semester at Wroxton, you can tour through Europe.

The best part of the whole Wroxton experience was the outstanding, life-long friendships I made there.

If you get the chance, don’t miss it.

Wroxton College was not only the most fun and eye-opening experience, I grew as a person more than I ever thought I could/would. I would suggest it to literally anyone. It sounds so cliche but you may find way more there than what you would think. Being away from home for so long was tough, but the homesickness was overshadowed by the insane sights and experiences. The courses are rigorous but the professors want you to succeed and won't allow you to fail. The professors believe in every single one of us and it shows because a lot of people do their best work when they weren't sure they could. Overall, the Wroxton experience is incredible and anyone, literally ANYONE, would be more than lucky to go over there and get a magnificent taste of culture.