Every Moment is an Important Moment in the Land Down Under Past Review

By William P (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Providence College) for

Arcadia: Sydney - Macquarie University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

My experience was very much worth while. The academic side of this experience was a little lacking, but interesting. The rest of the experience (which is truly why one goes abroad anyway), was extremely fulfilling. It changed my life in ways I never could have predicted, and I feel it has caused me to grow as a person. There isn't a person who shouldn't go abroad regardless of major, country.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	It was not very large, but the grading was tough, and sometimes questionable.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	It was not easy to find classes and use.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The house and the area surrounding were very good, it would have been a little nicer if it was closer to the train station or the grocery store, but I could use the exercise.
* Food:	They have essentially the same types of food as back home, it is more expensive however, and it has more of an Asian/Indian influence.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	This is really what made the experience so fruitful.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I had, nor perceived any problems while abroad.
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)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Australia has a weaker dollar but everything is much more expensive due to the small amount of people in Australia (cannot mass produce products like the U.S.) and the high minimum wage within the country (somewhere around $17 an hour).

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Other
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students Local Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Just go abroad, it's that simple. Don't worry about money, classes, or anything of the sort. Classes can be situated to suit your needs, and their is no better way to spend every last penny you currently own than spending it studying abroad.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	China in World History
Course Department:	102
Instructor:	Someone
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	It was pretty interesting.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I hope not.

Course Name/Rating:	Australian Politics
Course Department:	101
Instructor:	Someone
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Boring for the most part, but it had its moments. Not an overly bad course to take though, especially to hear the discussions during class (it's tough to comment on the political life without prior knowledge)
Credit Transfer Issues:	I hope they do.

Course Name/Rating:	Aboriginal Studies
Course Department:	100
Instructor:	Glenda
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Don't even look at this useless course. What a waste of time.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Hopefully no problems.

Course Name/Rating:	The Planet Earth
Course Department:	112
Instructor:	There were like 6 different ones
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Pretty interesting, and the quizzes were surprisingly tough.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I really hope this one transfers fine.