Bring me back to Bondi! May 14, 2025
By A student (Health: Science, Society, and Policy, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/08/2025 to 04/30/2025 with
Boston University: Sydney - Sydney Internship Program
I gained independence, confidence, and a generally more positive outlook on life. It was one of the best decisions I have made in my life to go to Australia. I did not know anyone on the program before going, which challenged me to branch out and create friendships and bonds with people who I would have otherwise never known.
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 were intensive, but very valuable to the learning experience. A commitment to course work is definitely required for success, but the courses are engaging, interesting, and help to immerse students in Australian culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Extremely kind, enthusiastic, and helpful people who genuinely care about each student on the program and get to know your name regardless of how well you know them. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was convenient and ideal for the program. Everyone on the program is placed in the same building for housing, meaning you do not need to find housing on your own. There are four single rooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room with a TV. The location is extremely convenient and is near pharmacies, grocery stores, shopping, tourist attractions, and the central train station. |
| * Food: |
There was no food provided by the program. However, grocery stores and amazing restaurants were only a three minute walk away from the residence building. The food in Sydney was amazing and they are good at catering to dietary restrictions. The program provides a helpful handbook for a guide to activities, restaurants, and destinations that helped me discover new places throughout the program. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe right from the start of the program. There is tight security for the residence hall, which was comforting. The city is full of friendly, outgoing people who are inviting and kind. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The internship part of this experience was challenging but incredibly valuable and rewarding. I fell in love with Australia and I want to go back as many times as possible. |
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) |
Because of the exchange rate, it made going out, shopping, and traveling much more affordable than it would be in the US. It is possible to live on a student's budget if you plan accordingly. There are plenty of free (or very inexpensive) things to do in Sydney, such as going to museums, going on hikes, going to the beach, hanging out at beautiful gardens/parks, etc. |
| 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? | Take advantage of the public transportation, enjoy the free activities around the city, buy gifts for family/friends throughout the program so you do not buy them all at the end, and utilize student discounts. |
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? | How little time there would be to do things once the internship portion started. I would have taken more advantage of my free time in the beginning of the program. |
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. |
