Dream Semester Past Review
By Laura Tovey (Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 01/04/2017 to 04/24/2017 with
Arcadia: Gold Coast - Bond University
I gained confidence and independence. Traveling solo and with friends to foreign countries teaches you a lot. I really learned about the Australian culture as well.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I was able to take classes I normally wouldn't take. It exposed me to many new areas of learning! It is a small classroom setting with the opportunity to really get to know your teachers. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program supervisor was always looking out for us and provided us with many excursion opportunities. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I thought the dorm I stayed in was great. |
| * Food: |
On campus food was amazing! We found lots of great places to eat in the local area as well. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very. Gold Coast is an amazing place to stay. You are right by the beach and nearby several big cities. It is such a great place to go and really experience Australia. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I unfortunately did have to use the health office while abroad. The on campus doctor was available and ready to help right when I needed and gave me all I needed. There are pharmacies nearby as well. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe while abroad. I think it definitely helped that I had a friend to travel with. If going to a new place outside your school or staying in a hostel, make sure someone knows where you are staying and that you are with a buddy. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I absolutely loved the location and school. Australia is amazing..especially Gold Coast! |
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) |
The bus was not very expensive and you get a meal plan that gives you more than enough money for food. Outside the university, food could be pretty expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-this money was mainly spent towards an excursion of some sort. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | DOn't over buy for your dorm. You're only staying there for a couple months so just buy what you need! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You won't want to come home. Also, Australia is expensive. |
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.' |
