Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best experience of my life! Past Review

By (Merrimack College) - abroad from 09/04/2019 to 12/06/2019 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Sydney, Australia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about the history of Australia and their culture as well as what it is like to intern in a different country. It was definitely worthwhile.

Review Photos

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Sydney, Australia Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

They offered a wide variety of courses in Liberal Arts. I learned a lot about the history of Australia!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Staff and professors were super helpful with course work as well as our internships

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was somewhat satisfied with our living arrangements.

* Food:

Amazing!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Felt very integrated with the local culture

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Sydney is a very safe city, I felt like I could walk around the city without any problems or having to worry.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

CAPA Sydney was awesome, would 100% choose the same program

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)

Somewhat easy, depending on if we went out to dinner or how much groceries we had to shop for. My budget changed each week

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? Work before your program start date or save up any money you can get, it will all be worth it while you are abroad. Even if you do not spend it all it is comforting to have emergency money just in case

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* 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?
  • Smooth transition
  • Easy academic courses
  • Excursions and opportunities for trips
* What could be improved?
  • Internship hours
  • Roommate assignments
  • Hearing back about our living arrangements earlier
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Before going on this program, I wish I knew more about the local tourist attractions in Sydney. I felt like I was so focused on seeing the more popular sites that I definitely would have went to see local museums, restaurants, and flea markets had I researched them ahead of time.

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 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.