Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Semester of Growth Past Review

By (Rochester Institute of Technology) - abroad from 02/21/2017 to 07/02/2017 with

Arcadia: Sydney - University of Technology Sydney

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worth every penny and every second. I grew so much in my independence and understanding of the world at large. I had so many experiences that I wouldn't be able to have at home. I met so many people from around the world. I am a better person because of my time abroad.

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.

Some of my classes were disorganized, and with a different class structure, that made it hard to make the adjustment. I got more used to things eventually, but it felt like there was a fair amount of unnecessary confusion when it came to class expectations and structure.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Katrina, from Arcadia, worked with the kids at my University. She was very responsive to questions, met with us to catch up occasionally, and generally made us feel like we had support if we needed it.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My building on campus, Yura Mudang, was very international, with a good number of Australian students as well. It was good to get that exposure, but at the same time, the building is very much a party building, which isn't my style. The location couldn't have been better, though, and the facilities themselves were nice.

* Food:

Good food available all over the city, and on campus. It was just generally more expensive than I'm used to.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was great to be right in the middle of things, but most Australian students commute to University, so I didn't have as much of a chance to get to know the "locals."

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have a need to use the health care provided, but I knew what was available and how to access it.

* Safety:

Even in a very large, foreign city, I never felt unsafe, even when walking alone.

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

I took the classes that I needed, in the perfect location, with a company that made all of the logistics very easy and understandable. I made great friends through the program as well.

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)

Sydney is expensive. There's no way around it.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Find the cheapest groceries in the area, including markets. Little savings like that add up quickly.

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
  • 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?
  • Ability to see large amounts of the country
  • Logistics were handled for me, but explained fully
  • Friends and experiences available because of the program
* What could be improved?
  • Integration with locals
  • More housing options
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wasn't prepared to spend more time on my own than I was used to. It took a while to wrap my head around it, but it was incredibly beneficial for me in the end.

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.