Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fantastic but very complex. September 19, 2025

By (Economics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/14/2025 to 06/18/2025 with

Arcadia: Sydney - University of Sydney

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Oh god, big question. so much. very worth while. Biggest thing is that I need to spend more time organizing my life instead of saying yes to everything other people plan.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Fewer assignments, much larger. Coding was very different and very hard.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Pretty awesome and fast

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Absolutely amazing in every single way

* Food:

Groceries.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Not as much as I could have been because more study abroad kids were more willing to hang out.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was in an interesting position, didnt understand my insurance and never was able to understand it. Eventually ate the costs of all my medical visits.

* Safety:

10/10, I did get groped twice at two different clubs, thats never happened before and ive been to many clubs in America and Europe.... so other then that 10/10, even the homeless people seemed nicer than what im used to, one asked me on a date, and he was nice when I said no.

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

Australia is a fantastic country, Sydney is amazing, Arcadia is awesome they were all amazing and nice and helpful.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 400ish
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eating in, pregaming.

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
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • arcadia employees are fantastic
  • housing was fantastic
  • purchasing power of the USD
* What could be improved?
  • I had no idea how insurance worked
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? already answered that basically

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.