The Best Semester of My Life Past Review
By Kailee Stobbe (Merrimack College) - abroad from 01/15/2019 to 04/18/2019 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Sydney, Australia
My study abroad experience was an event in my life that has benefited me in so many positive ways. I was given the opportunity to work with a professional rugby team on the Membership and Ticketing team, which exposed me to sports practices in different countries to aide me in my sports management concentration. The classes at CAPA were perfect for my hands-on learning needs, with experience outside the classroom on field trips.
Review Photos
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. |
Classes were hands-on and allowed us to interact with our environment almost every day. Teachers are amazing! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program administration were helpful, kind, personal, and very willing to be there for us in any way required. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a beautiful apartment that overlooked the city with my roommates. Best place I will ever live. |
| * Food: |
Food here is amazing and if you are a foodie this location will be wonderful for you. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My social and cultural integration was strong due to my internship where I worked with local athletes and people. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program assisted tremendously when I was involved in a health care incident. The program director even came himself on hospital trips and provided services to the students who needed to visit the hospital. I got stitches in Bali and my program director was there every second of the way. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe being alone in the city and could navigate it without fear alone. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The transportation fares were covered by the school which allowed an incredible amount of freedom to independently travel. As an individual, I grew up a lot during my time abroad, and I would do it all over again if I could. I can honestly say I have no complaints about this program. I would recommend this program to any college student that is interested in seeing the world and gaining an education internationally. |
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 am really good at managing my money so I was able to live off of a tight budget in order to travel and experience as much as I could. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $400 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save up for travel, flights, hostels, etc. Travel with be more important to you than you realize |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The only aspect of the program I would maybe reevaluate is the number of hours needed for the internship. These students still need time to experience the culture, and gain friends as well within this location to share the experience with. I wish I knew this many hours were required. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe 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. |
