Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Adventure Past Review

By (Human Biology, University of Texas - Arlington) - abroad from 07/14/2012 to 08/11/2012 with

Bond University: Gold Coast - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I enjoyed some freedom and time away from my parents! I live at home and so it was nice to be able to have a true "college experience" with living on my own for a while. It definitely was worthwhile, i gained a lot of independence and confidence from traveling by myself.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about $50.00US
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Shop around for souvenirs, don't just buy something at the first place you see it.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Being close with the professors
  • Traveling, although I wasn't expecting as much as we did
  • Being in another country and exploring, and learning about Australia
* What could be improved?
  • I enjoyed it all, I wouldn't know what to improve
  • We compromised with the housing, which was nice because we stayed on a nice, expensive boat a few days, then in tents on the ground. I was happy to have all of my experiences
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It would be very difficult to keep up with my loved ones in the U.S.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'