Past Review
By Justin B (Global Environmental Studies, Clark University) for
CIEE: Perth - Arts and Sciences
Studying here has helped shaped my path academically and opened my interests to a new field of study.
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2010 |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Choosing classes that are important to you is essential. I got two classes I love and one I loathe but overall I'm happy I studied here. Work can be stressful because most courses don't have small assignments, and consist of one or two very large projects or tests (up to 50% of the grade or more). Stay on top of assignments! |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Paul Hollick is awesome, very friendly and approachable, provides lots of opportunity and advice for exploring Perth and Australia. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived in an 8 person flat and transferred to a 5 person flat, both in the old village. Nice atmosphere. Convenient location to campus and bus services. |
* Food: |
Same stuff you'd find in the states, less variety in some areas but easy to get used to. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Get out and do stuff, meet Australians. Definitely go to a footy game and go to public events like festivals, the Northwest trip is a must. I loved the culture, and will go back when I graduate. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
* Safety: |
Student health office on campus with nurses and a doctor. Felt safe everywhere I went, if you travel into the Perth or Fremantle to go bar hopping at night, act responsibly and take safety precautions accordingly and you'll be fine. |
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? |
English is my native language, but I did learn a lot of Australian slang :) |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Best thing I've ever done, I highly recommend Perth. I fell in love with the place and don't want to go back to Worcester! |
Individual Course Reviews
Course Name/Rating: |
STP220 Cities and Sustainability |
Course Department: | Sustainability |
Instructor: | Allan Johnstone |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | Awesome class about urban form, the evolution of cities, and designing them for future sustainability. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | I havent returned yet but I sure hope I don't have credit transfer issues! |
Course Name/Rating: |
STP212 Sustainability, Ecology, and Communities |
Course Department: | Sustainability |
Instructor: | Nicole Hodgson |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | Worst class ever, incredibly boring. Didn't realize it was strictly a policy course, unless you love politics and bureaucracy, stay away! |
Credit Transfer Issues: | Haven't returned yet. |
Course Name/Rating: |
STP245 Urban Design for Sustainability |
Course Department: | Sustainability |
Instructor: | Jan Scheurer |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | Favorite course by far, examined specific design features of sustainable cities. Delved into how our built environment has profound impact on our social environment. Final project involves re-designing a city or case study area. Perfect compliment to STP220. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | Haven't returned yet. |