University of Oxford

I am lucky enough to have met wonderful people through living in a college-owned house. At Oxford the college is the centre of social life for most students and those living out are not as likely to be easily involved.

If I was to go back and study or work anywhere in the United Kingdom, I would like to live just as I would if I were a citizen of the country, rather than as a student. I want to be independent.

I'd choose a different college, maybe. St.Catherine is ok, but other colleges are much better.

The apartment I was staying in was pretty much 'on campus' (Oxford's colleges are spread throughout the city): it was right across from Magdalen college, the college I was affiliated with during my stay in the UK. I was very much a part of the college social and academic scene -- I ate in the college dining hall, joined the rowing team, hung out in the JCR, among other things -- but I always wondered what it would be like to actually live in the dorms. I suppose, then, I'd be looking for an experience different from the one I already had.

Oxford is absolutely beautiful and the dorms are more than accommodating, particularly in comparison to an American university's on campus accommodations. I lived right in University College with a view that overlooked the library and could also hear the people gathering at the beer cellar bellow my room. I had a sitting room and smaller bedroom which included a sink. Additionally, Oxford provided a cleaning and turn over service which straighted our rooms every morning. Also, the campus feels extremely safe.

I attended Oxford as an undergraduate; now that I have both Bachelor's and Master's degree, I feel living independently would be best.