Best experience of my life! Past Review

By Zia Cooper (Ursinus College) - abroad from 01/15/2020 to 04/18/2020 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Sydney, Australia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

This was the first time I was able to live on my own. I was very lucky to be placed with my roommates. I definitely gained a sense of independence living on my own away from my family.

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 CAPA professors required us to be attentive and grow as students but they also gave the freedom to experience a new country and culture.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The whole CAPA team was great, I really felt like a I had a great support team while being there!
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	We lived in the Oaks Goldsborough Apartments in Darling Harbor! Only a 10 minute walk from Central Station, a 20 minute walk to the Opera House, and a 45 minute bus ride to Bondi Beach. It was a great location and felt I had access to a lot of places!
* Food:	Our program did not provide us with food or a meal plan. There were plenty of grocery stores near our apartments and the kitchens we fully equip to cook anything!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I did not feel as integrated with the Australian culture as I would have liked to. I wish the program would implement something for us as American students to meet other students our age from other Uni's.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Before going to Bali, Indonesia I went to the local urgent care/pharmacy and got vaccines with no problem. I believe I had insurance for overseas but the vaccines were not covered and I did have to pay out of pocket.
* Safety:	I felt very safe in Sydney. Whether I was walking to class, out on the town, or commuting to work I never felt unsafe.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes I found the CAPA team members extremely caring and helpful. I loved the program overall and all the opportunities it gave me. The internship opportunity was an amazing experience to meet Australians and encounter their workplace.

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)	Sydney was definitely an expensive city but I would do it again in a heartbeat
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$150-200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Keep track of everything you are spending. I kept a spreadsheet of everything which I found very helpful in monitoring my spending.

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?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Roar and Snoar The CAPA staff members and teachers Oaks Goldsborough Apartments
* What could be improved?	Providing us more opportunities to meet locals!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I did not know that there was a internship class along with our internship.

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 Urbanite A 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Sport in Australian Society
Course Department:	SDNY SOCY
Instructor:	Jade
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I loved to learn how sport is so important to Australia identity and culture. My favorite part about this class was going to a big national rugby game!
Credit Transfer Issues:	I did not have any issues transfering credits, however it did take a while and I did not find out if my credits transfered until 5 months after.