Best semester ever! Past Review

By (University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass) - abroad from 09/01/2018 to 12/15/2018 with

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 learned a lot about the history of Australia and I got to explore places that I probably never would have got the chance to see if I didn't study abroad. It was totally worthwhile in my opinion because I made new friends and got to check a few things off of my bucket list.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were tough but the professors were awesome!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The site director Jackie Chapman was incredible! She made us feel at home during orientation and continuously checked in on us throughout the semester! She introduced me to some of best friends who I still keep in touch with today! The program set up trips to Byron Bay, to markets around the Gold Coast and paid for coffee meet ups with other students so we could get to know each other! I did a ton of traveling and the CIS staff was super helpful with recommendations and making sure we stayed in groups! I would recommend this program to anyone considering studying on the Gold Coast!

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? Depending on whether I was traveling or not it would range between $30 and $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would say cooking in the dorm is a great alternative to going out to eat each night.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Jackie Chapman- site director
  • I met a bunch of friends through ice breakers and introductions.
  • They were helpful with travel tips and money tips.
* What could be improved?
  • Give more options for student housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that the courses would be a bit more intense than I was expecting.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A 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.