Summer Vacation with a job and a class Past Review

By (HSSP, Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/28/2018 to 07/25/2018 with

Boston University: Sydney - Sydney Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The experience was great, I got to work with the locals and meet some great people. Australia is a very adventurous country and I got to have a lot of fun while living there.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The course was easy, it was disappointing to have the major field trip canceled and the other field trip shortened.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

There were so many cockroaches in the dorms but there wasn't much we could do about it.

* Food:

Food not provided, we had to get food on our own but the kitchens were nice.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The internship was great.

* 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

I loved Sydney, the location of the dorms was great and the city was easy to navigate. I didn't think the class was good but I loved my internship and I had a lot of time to go explore and go on adventures.

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)

It was an expensive program considering food wasn't provided. I spent well over $200 a week on food and personal expenses, some people managed to budget well but it was probably very difficult and they rarely ate out. I spent over $60 on public transit alone.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $400-$600
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save lots of money in advance so you don't have to worry about money when you are there or have generous parents. The people that didn't enjoy the program tended to be the people who didn't have enough money to go out and experience things.

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?
  • Internship
  • Location of the Dorms
  • Roomate
* What could be improved?
  • Get rid of the cockroaches
  • improve the classes
  • Internship that is more relatable with majors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had better pre-planned my weekends and reconsidered my budget. I originally thought I would spend $200 a week and I spent well over that amount on a weekly basis.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.