I reached a new level of happiness that I never knew before going to Australia Past Review

By Heather R (PSYCHOLOGY., Clark University) for

CIEE: Perth - Arts and Sciences

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

Yes it was absolutely amazing, I wouldn't change a thing. I met so many amazing people who I still keep in touch with and plan on getting together with this summer. I saw so many amazing places and the experience totally changed how I look at my future and what I want to do with my life. You realize how much more to life is out there that you never knew existed. I reached a new level of happiness that I never knew before going to Australia. It changes the way you look at the world and you realize more about yourself and what you need out of life and what really makes you happy. That constant adventure gives you this perpetual high and I haven't been able to match that same level of happiness since I've been back in the U.S. I have this cultural awareness and I realize so much more about what it means to be an American and inspires me to go and see as much of the world as I can.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks
The term and year this program took place:	Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Overall I had a really great experience. I really appreciated that I was given more responsibility as a student. In combination with less class hours, I really was able to take total control over my own learning and build relationships with my professors.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Paul is really understanding and young at heart and he's always there to help you with any sort of problem, whether it's with living in the Student Village, trouble in one of your units (courses), looking for a good deal on a study break trip, trouble with a flat mate etc.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My housing was definitely adequate, it just really depends on if you like who you're placed with in your flat or not. I unfortunately wasn't friends with the people I was placed with, but most of my friends had great flatmates, great experiences. I just chose to spend more time in their flats instead of my own. It's extremely safe, close to the bus to Freo and train to Perth (nightlife). The only problem was that every 2 weeks there is a pretty anal flat inspection where you are assigned a cleaning duty in your flat and are charged if it isn't done well, which got pretty frustrating when living with messy people.
* Food:	I had to shop, cook and feed myself, which is something I had to learn to do on my own, but since the other kids on the program had to as well, it was fun learning to cook together.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	It was great! Right off the bat you go on a trip with all the other kids in your program for a few days and really get to know those people. By living in the Student Village and knowing other CIEE people, you end up meeting all of your flatmates, their flatmates, and people in your courses.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I never felt unsafe, plus I got to get the H1N1 vaccine for free and before the U.S. even had them for healthy people of our age group.
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)

Language

Language acquisition improvement?	Not relevant, because all my courses were in English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	International Students Americans

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Psychology: Cognitive Processes
Course Department:	Psychology (PSY) 353
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course wasn't very enjoyable. I took it to meet a perspective for my Psychology major at home and I found it really boring. The professor made no attempt to get to know the students, and neither did the assistant professors (who are like TAs). What I ended up learning the best was what I taught myself by going over the lectures again (with online Lectopia recordings).
Credit Transfer Issues:	No, but before I left I had to clear it with the director of my home Psychology department.

Course Name/Rating:	Witchcraft: Historical Images of Women
Course Department:	History (HIS) 252?
Instructor:	Helen Brash
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course was amazing! It focused on the witch trials of Europe and then specifically in Salem Village/Town. We read mostly primary source documents and had really great discussions about the causes of the witch trials and the ideologies of the time. It was my favorite history class I've ever taken, Plus Helen is such a good professor. She's really fun and light hearted, understanding and brings her passion to the course.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No, but before I left I cleared it with Academic Advising to be sure I would get credit for my Historical Perspective.

Course Name/Rating:	Contemporary Indigenous Issues
Course Department:	Aboriginal and Indigenous Studies AIS 286
Instructor:	Ken Haywood
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I learned so soo much from this course. Every student studying in Australia should take a course about Aboriginal Issues. It makes you understand so much more about Australian politics and the struggles of the Aboriginal people, which I think is really important, especially since most Australians don't have a knowledge of these issues.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No