Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Unforgettable Learning Experience Past Review

By (Environmental Studies., SUNY Purchase) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 04/20/2012 with

Bond University: Gold Coast - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself. I can be independent and strong when things get tough. I learned a lot about Australia's History and pop culture.

Review Photos

Bond University: Gold Coast - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Bond University: Gold Coast - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Bond University: Gold Coast - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Bond University: Gold Coast - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Bond University: Gold Coast - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very helpful and friendly

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I really appreciated how the rooms on campus were cleaned once a week by "cleaning ladies". It was great. And laundry access was very easy also, one laundry rooming each building.

* Food:

I enjoy basically anything so I was completely fine with the food on caps and out. My friends were pretty pleased also.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Campus activities were plentiful. It was impossible to not make friends. Outside of campus, society was very much like it was at home. Same language same values, great people.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Ive never had to get heath service myself but I heard good things about them.

* Safety:

I felt very safe on campus. There were security guards around all day and night and were even available by phone call. If a student was ever locked out they would do there best to get you in to your room safely. There was also a curfew every day of the week. It was later on weekends but I can say that I was very thankful for the curfew when it came to exam week. The curfew wasn't even that bad cause there were plant of things to do off campus if you wanted to get loud.

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)

Exchange rate was a little higher then the United States, so for someone with a low budget it got a little difficult when wanting to take public transportation or travel around a bit and buy food out.

* 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? $50/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Just try to save as much as possible cause no matter how much you have, it never seems to be enough! Trust me!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

English is their main language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The friends I've made
  • The climate
  • The unbelievable scenery everywhere you turned
* What could be improved?
  • How much money I took
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that I needed more money then what I took.

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 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.