If I could, I would do this again! Past Review
By A student (Business, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/14/2015 to 04/30/2015 with
Boston University: Sydney - Sydney Internship Program
I discovered what I like. I felt that I explored the world by going to a country that is so far away from home, thus learning a new culture. My internship provided me with a big line for my resume, and the courses that I took in Sydney opened up my mind in many ways.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Courses are relatively easy compared to what Brandeis offers. However, classes are still very interesting, integrated, and make you develop a strong relationship with your classmates and professors. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Sydney, Australia. Sydney is an amazing city with a lot to offer. Culturally, it traces a history back to more than 200 years, which every student learns about upon arrival. Socially, the Australian motto is "We work to live... Not live to work," expressing something different than what most other countries ideally think. Finally, as a traveling destination, it has plenty of landmarks, things to do, nightlife, and short trips that one can make to other nearby cities. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
For a Brandeis student, think of a nice but smaller Ridgewood Suite. Students live in 4-person suites, with 1.5 bathrooms, a kitchen and a common room with TV included. The dorms in a building above the classrooms. Therefore, one just needs to go down in the elevator when attending to class. |
| * Food: |
The kitchen is good enough for 4 people. Yet, you must buy your own food, go grocery shopping, or eat in restaurants, as BU does not offer a cafeteria on campus. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
As a BU student, one does not get to meet that many Australians, since one is living among many different other BU students (mostly American). Nevertheless, if you have any Australian friends or even if you don't have any, you will still meet a lot of people, which you will keep as friends forever. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
During my entire program, I never saw someone getting sick. But if for whatever reason a student would have gotten sick, BU would have been prepared. You have your BU Health Care Insurance and Card, which you can use at any hospital. |
| * Safety: |
The program as well as the country are very safe. They are so safe, that non-BU students are not allowed in the dorms past 9pm. Additionally, feel free to take any public transportation or walk around Sydney at any time of the day or night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* 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 not a cheap country. I recommend opening a bank account with a local bank, maybe Westpac is the best option. Students travel a lot and have high expenses while living in Sydney, so I suggest getting a job abroad or, at least, coming prepared. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 aprox |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Reduce your spendings on your regular semesters at your home school. Use this difference while studying abroad, as you will need it. Avoid traveling inside your abroad country too much, but make those trips the best time of your life. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Firstly, opening a bank account, for sure. Secondly, deciding that I would have travelled before or after my program to South East Asia or Oceania. Thirdly, to pack clothing according to the weather and climate of Sydney and nearby regions, since coming with more preparation would have reduced shopping expenses. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
