Incredible Experience! Past Review

By (Business Administration, Trinity University) - abroad from 07/09/2012 to 11/17/2013 with

Arcadia: Brisbane - University of Queensland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Even similar cultures offer many subtle differences that are enjoyable to experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The University of Queensland offered everything you could ever need from an academic standpoint.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The host country representative from Arcadia was incredibly helpful and was also a ton of fun during our excursions!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed at International House, which was spacious and had a dining hall on site. However, it was constantly overly loud often times late into the night.

* Food:

The local food was not bad, just a bit expensive. The food at International House was not too impressive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I had the opportunity to play cricket! I also had a chance to meet aboriginals and learn about their culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Just about everything is covered.

* Safety:

Brisbane is really safe, with well established public transportation.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Luckily I had meals provided by the International House and I did not go out too much. Food and alcohol are very expensive in Australia, and I know several people who regularly spend well over a "student's budget".

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Look for drink specials at the bars, cook for yourself.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Location (Brisbane)
  • Included Trips
  • Support Offered
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew what the environment of IH was like.. I may have chosen a different housing option than the residential colleges.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

MARS2005 - Australia's Marine Environment

Course Department: Marine Studies
Instructor: Barnes + 3 others
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Amazing class, learned a lot about Australia's marine life, and went on incredible field trips to islands along the coast! The professors were fantastic, and the assessments were reasonable.. 100% recommend this class.
Credit Transfer Issues: