Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fun Down Under!! Past Review

By (Providence College) - abroad from 02/15/2012 to 07/30/2012 with

Arcadia: Sydney - Macquarie University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience abroad was definitely worth while, I grew and became more independent. I also learned so much about the Australian culture. I made many new friends and had so many wonderful experiences.

Review Photos

Arcadia: Sydney - Macquarie University Photo

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 classes were larger than my home university and forced me to become more independent with my work style. The grading scale was also much different and a bit frustrating at times. It was great how the lectures were available online.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very good and receptive when I needed help or had any questions.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was great to have my own room and bathroom! Boys and girls lived together in the coed village apartments.

* Food:

Did not have a meal plan. Was often very expensive to purchase groceries.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt like I learned a great deal about the local culture and made many Australian friends. I learned about the Aboriginals of Australia which I knew nothing about prior to my trip.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

When I had to go to the doctor for a common cold I used my world health care card, it worked out perfectly. I did not have to pay any fees.

* Safety:

I felt safe for the majority of my time in Australia.

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)

It was very hard and almost impossible to live on a student's budget. Everything was as at least twice as expensive. I had to pay for my own food which quickly added up.

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150- 200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to use the bus system instead of the trains.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* 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?
  • I enjoyed making new friends, traveling, and exploring all that sydney had to offer!
  • I also loved snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, holding a koala, feeding kangaroos, learning to surf, and seeing the opera house.
* What could be improved?
  • When I moved into my first apartment it was very dirty, I was easily able to switch my apartment tho.
  • Also when I first moved in I was not given any directions from University or Arcadia about where I could purchase my groceries or how to get to the supermarket.
  • More guidance would have been very helpful during my move in.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how expensive it truly was to live in Australia.