Coogee to Bondi Past Review
By A student (Texas Lutheran University) - abroad from 02/13/2019 to 07/01/2019 with
API (Academic Programs International): Sydney - Macquarie University
I learned a lot about who I am as well as being okay with being independent.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The education experience wasn't bad, it was actually a bit easier because the grading policy is different. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The original instructor we had upon arrival seemed like he did not care about his job as he later expressed. After we quit the next lady we has was wonderful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The living arrangements were not like they were pictured on the sight. Many rooms had mold on the floorboards, floors, showers, chairs and sofas, cabinet sink, etc. After getting past the initial shock of realizing where we were living it wasn't so bad. We each got our own bathroom and we were right in campus. |
| * Food: |
Food was basically like American food just a bit healthier. Although the variety of products is very scarce compared to America. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was easy to become integrated in the culture as Australians seem to pick up many American habits through American film. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The health care was good, I had one doctors visit and it was a total of $30 Australian. I was seen by a training student and then a real doctor. The clinic was right on campus which made it very accessible. I also did not need a specific vaccines for the program. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in my host country, I would walk alone on the streets at night and feel completely safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
Other programs gives out more scholarships that would have been useful. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
The price to live in Australia is very expensive and a lit of events I went to cost money. Australia coffee is wonderful so it was nearly impossible to not stop and get a $7 coffee every day. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Dont eat out! Even if you don't want to spend money on something like a coffee maker because you will be leaving soon its worth it and will save you money in the long run. There is also lots of people that would potentially buy it from you when you leave. If not our housing had a donation station. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That it was all going to be okay. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Australian Media |
| Course Department: | Communications |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The course was interesting because it gave me an inside look in media and pop culture in Australia. The teacher for the course was not well prepared for lectures and not very good at answering questions. Most subject matter was hard to comprehend because I were missing context that was not provided. She provided no accommodations when I expressed that I was struggling and confused due to a lack of context. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | My classes have not transferred yet, there should not be a problem. |
