Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Studying in paradise Past Review

By (Corporate Finance & Accounting, Bentley University) - abroad from 01/07/2013 to 04/21/2013 with

Bond University: Gold Coast - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile and I recommend an abroad experience to every college student no matter where it is. The thing I value most from my trip was gaining the confidence to meet new people and improve my social skills.

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

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

The food was good but very epensive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The school is 50% international kids, but most are study abroad Americans. Most of the Australians don't live on campus.

* 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)

Prices in Australia are very high and the exchange rate was not in my favor.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Between travelling and food, I spent about $175 on an average week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to limit spending the semester before you go abroad. Also, try to plan out all expenses you will have before you leave.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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
  • 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?
  • The other abroad kids I met
  • Learning a new culture
  • Exploring parts of the world I may never see again
* What could be improved?
  • Having a larger meal plan
  • Don't put kids from the same program next to each other in housing
  • Have more advising meetings before departure
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Spread the travelling out throughought the semester instead of doing it all in one month.

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.