Australia: what lifes really like down unda Past Review

By Brittany F (Tourism and Event Mgmt, University of New Haven) for

CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Gold Coast - Semester on the Gold Coast

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

I took a lot of personal experiences away from this trip, and learned a lot of things about myself. Everything i expected for this trip was completly different, but in a good way. Ive learned to be more independent and I personally figured out what things and what people are important to me and whats not.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The way schooling works here is extreamly different and I would say harder. Instead of having multiple assignments due throughout the semester, its more of just mid-terms, finals, and paper. The way the class schedule works is much bettter with a 2 hour lecture and a 1 hour tutorial.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	I think the program is good.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:	The food is good but it needs to be less expensive and more variety.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	While being in Australia I was lucky enough to go to Cairns and snorkel the great barrier reef, Went to Sydney and saw the Sydeny Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and went to New Zealand and saw the most breath-takeing landscapes ive ever seen. Im very lucky to say at 20 years old ive been able to see all of these beautiful things.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	N\A
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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Hostel Hotel Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	I think that the study abroad program helped me on the right track of things to do and things not to do in regards of necessary requirements for actually going abroad.
* What could be improved?	I think that CIS needs to do a better job of keeping in touch with the students, most times that I tried to call, either no one answered or the person I needed was unavailable. Even the woman I was dealing with during my application process was let go, and no one bothered to tell me and Ididnt know who I was supposed to contact. Thats my only complaint
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I think that study abroad is one of the most amazing experiences and is well worth every pennie. This has made me realize so many things about my life that I dont know if i would have had i not went abroad. A student who would benefit would be someone who wants a change in location and culture, and the need to experience something different. A semester is a long time so i would also say making sure they can stay away from home for that period of time.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Wine Studies
Course Department:	HRTM 11-100_113
Instructor:	Steve Knight
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course is very difficult but is interesting to learn about how all wines are madem and how different each one can be so similar but so different at the same time.
Credit Transfer Issues:	The credits should transfer back, but i havent finished the course. I would suggest that if your interested and taking wine studies and cant do it until your senior year in the states because your not 21, i would suggest taking it. It may be a bit harder but you may actually get something out of it.