Bond Uni: The Best 4 Months of my Life Past Review
By Kenzie W (Christian Education Leadership, Concordia University Nebraska) - abroad from 09/04/2015 to 12/20/2016 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Gold Coast - Semester on the Gold Coast
I learned to keep my mind open. When you look at the world around you with judgement and hesitation, you miss a lot of incredible people and experiences. I see the world around me in a new and curious light.
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. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
On-Campus dorms were plenty big and provided bed sheets, pillows, dressers, closets, and weekly maid service. The community built through on-campus housing was invaluable to making my experience so fun! |
| * Food: |
It's easy to make your meal plan stretch at the Bond Uni Brasserie, and the market square a short walk from campus has plenty of restaurant options for any appetite. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Campus security was readily available and took notable measures to keep students safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
My experience in Australia was completely life changing. It pushed me to my limits, testing my worldview and opening my eyes to new adventures. Every moment and memory impacted the way I see myself and the world around me. CISabroad was definitely the right program for me. I met some of the greatest mates from all around the world that I’ll hold in my heart forever. The support I received from Seth before the semester began and the genuine care I felt from Jackie & Keith onsite really helped me feel at home abroad. We also had a wicked cool orientation in Sydney & went on several awesome excursions that allowed me to see more of Australia than I would have on my own! It’s hard to put into words how much this experience actually impacted me, but I get a smile across my face every time I look back on a memory made through CISabroad. |
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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75-100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Depending on how often you go out to bars/clubs, it is very easy to live at Bond on a budget. I would suggest budgeting your money ahead of time, keeping in mind trips you may want to take around Australia or to other countries like New Zealand, Fiji, Thailand, or Indonesia. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would have packed clothes for going out on the Gold Coast, not just comfy travel clothes. I also would have brought my own bottle of Hidden Valley Ranch, because they don't have that in Australia. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
