A semester in paradise Past Review
By Eric B (Business, Management, & Marketing, Suffolk University) for
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Gold Coast - Semester on the Gold Coast
Yes it was definitely worthwhile, I learned to work with and understand a number of different cultures. I was introduced to a new lifestyle and was able to witness some amazing places.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
As a marketing student with both marketing, accounting and Australian history courses I would say that the work load was very minimal when it came to actual homework. There were on average 4 exams including mid-term and final that encompassed the majority of grades along with a group project. Overall similar curriculum to Suffolk but less seemed to be expected outside the classroom. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
While we did not have any American faculty leaders, we were pretty well received within the university and its campus. CiS had it's own office on campus where they had reps always available for us. Upon arrival in Sydney we had a temporary tour guide for the duration of our stay which helped us get used to the city. While not very hands on, the organization definitely did their part in helping us get settled and being there for us on demand. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very secluded campus made for a close university community. While I personally was in a shared dorm that was essentially like a hotel room with 2 beds. Still nice and clean in an American-majority dorm. The other buildings provided students with their own rooms and shared bathrooms, also nice. The school provided us all with shuttles to and from the center of town anytime, even to pick us up from bars at 2am. Very convenient. |
| * Food: |
Decent menu in the cafeteria where we could use our meal plans. Some variety, but you definitely become ready for new food very soon. Two other nicer restaurants on campus did not accept meal plans but allowed for some change on occasion. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
With a bar hosting weekly events right under our dorm it provided for a very eventful semester. From BBQs to beach days there was always something to do with the entire university community. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
No health issues, clean campus, clean city. Shark attacks were the only fear I heard of and those were handled by lifeguards and police on the beach. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you are looking for a chance to meet students from both all over the US and all over the world, be within walking distance of a beach and be in the shorts for 4 months straight, Bond University is for you! There is an amazing community that allows you to do everything from BBQ to play soccer to go scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef, there are never dull moments at Bond(unless you're recovering from a hangover)! |
