Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best experience of my life! Past Review

By (Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass) - abroad from 01/21/2015 to 04/25/2015 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Sydney, Australia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about my self and my work ethic. My internship helped me figure out what I want to do with my life after I graduate. It was well worth the money.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I thought that the educational aspect of my internship was extremely helpful. There were always advisers there to help you whenever you needed it and the work load wasn't bad at all. I took mostly major classes and learned so much

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Awesome and healthy food all throughout Australia!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt pretty integrated, and the internship helped with that.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had any health issues while I was abroad

* Safety:

I always felt extremely safe my whole time abroad

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)

I definitely think I should have saved up more before I left. I never really took into account the traveling I might have been doing. I saved up about 2,500 dollars and wish I had brought 500 dollars more. It was difficult but I managed AND got to do everything I wanted.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent about 50 a week on grocery
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Start saving immediately, even if you're not sure about going abroad.

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
  • Friendships
* What could be improved?
  • pre-departure Sydney information
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? What types of clothes I ACTUALLY needed, and what I could have left at home. Also, that It was going to be getting colder at the end of the semester.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.