Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Worth it for the city Past Review

By (HSSP, Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/03/2015 to 07/28/2015 with

Boston University: Sydney - Internship Program, Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think the program gave me the ability to manage my finances and taught me about work-life balance. I loved Sydney so much , and the program definitely helped me integrate into the city well.

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.

* 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?

Other than the internship, I did not get the chance to interact with local students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare was very easily accessible.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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 an expensive city in general, and the meals are not covered by the program so there may be more expenditure because of that.

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? Buy groceries instead of eating out everyday and utilize public transport as much as you can .

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

  • 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?
  • Internship Placements
  • Location of housing
  • BU Resources
* What could be improved?
  • Interaction with local students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about how expensive Sydney was, it would have helped me manage my finances better.

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.