It is what you make it, make it worth it. Past Review
By Aubrey M (Communication and Media Studies, Texas Lutheran University) - abroad from 02/02/2019 to 07/01/2019 with
API (Academic Programs International): Sydney - Macquarie University
Yes it was worth it. I learned how to work through some trails and tribulations that I was not expecting and made the best out of my time. I learned how to be more comfortable socializing in a group with my API friends as well. In turn that has made me more confident in the way that I carry myself.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The professors often read off the slides and depended quotes on external recourses instead of teaching us their own analysis, interpretations or ideas. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Initally the API coordinator had been thrown into the position so there was a lot of disorganization. The second one, Amy was great. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Macquarie University Villages was not move in ready, the shower was left on, the floor and desk chair was molded, no ac and no heater. Other villas were not as bad as this one |
| * Food: |
I wasn't that impressed by food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was living in a very diverse area with few Aussies. Once I went into the city or explored on my own I felt more integrated. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare was very accessible, they are just more reluctant to perscribe medications than the US, so I was sick and not prescribed anything. |
| * Safety: |
For the most part I never felt unsafe, I could walk around the city by myself and feel comfortable. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
No, I would probably try out a different program because of the lack of organization. They also mis marketed some thing. The housing online is the remolded housing that we were not staying in and we did not do a couple of the excursions that we were promised. |
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) |
I spent more money than I anticipated. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $275 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be prepared to spend more than you expected. |
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? | I wish I knew the conditions of our living so I wasn't caught off guard. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
