Australia: the best experience of my life Past Review

By Rachel S (Business Administration/Management, Fordham University) - abroad from 01/16/2013 to 05/02/2013 with

Boston University: Sydney - Sydney Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Gosh I learned so much about myself, my country, and how Australia and the USA fit into the global community. I can't believe I ever questioned whether or not to study in Australia. I have also studied in Europe (traveling to 9 countries there) and my Australian experience outdid them all hands down.

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.	I learned a lot outside the classroom on field trips and throughout daily life.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My only complaint is not being able to use the stairs and the kitchenette that was advertised as a kitchen.
* Food:	On par with American food, but much healthier options and preparation methods.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Our location is a block from the central bus and rail station, so we were right in the middle of things with the option of navigating the city as we pleased. BU offered some great excursions, plus the other students in the program were always looking for cool things to do around Australia. After all, we were all crazy enough to travel there in the first place. At first Sydney seems just like America, but after living and working there you begin to understand just how different our countries truly are.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Two of my friends got sick and easily made appointments at the Medical Center a few blocks away. Both were prescribed medication no problem.
* Safety:	Multiple Australian university students were dumbfounded when I said you take your cell phone out while walking down the streets of the Bronx. Enough said.
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)	Australia is expensive. To illustrate, the average cocktail price is $16.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Keep in mind that tax and tip are included in the prices displayed. Make your own food as often as possible. Try to get 'concession' (i.e. student) deals on tickets etc. when 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	The students I studied with The positive attitudes How hip/eclectic the cities were
* What could be improved?	Orienting students with public transit Even more excursions Housing facilities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	The outback is farther away from Sydney than I realized.

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.