Australia is my favorite place in the world; gorgeous and stunning! Past Review
By Kaitlin_1093 (Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services., Illinois State University) - abroad from 02/15/2013 to 07/01/2013 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Sydney - Intern in Australia
I wouldn't trade it for the world! But I would not go through CIS for anything ever again. Travel more when you're abroad! I saw New Zealand and the entire East Coast of Australia and loved everywhere and had different experiences in each city. Its amazing and you always have something new to gain in a new place!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Macquarie is setup much different than university in the US. I was told it was the "harvard" of Australia. It was difficult, but I would definitely switch knowing what i know now to attend the University of Sydney instead. You were not immersed into Australian culture like I wanted to be and what most expect when abroad. Along with a horrible commute to the city, which was deceptive by the programs description. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our orientation guide was very nice, but getting help from CIS back home was nonexistent. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
So good and so healthy. Their food is much lower in preservatives and just tastes so much better. Very similar to food in the US but healthier and better! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You mainly knew and hung out with people who live in the Village with you and your orientation program. Not many Australians. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My insurance wasn't even properly put through by CIS. It took a while to have the issue addressed. I did not know anyone to need or use the insurance provided so I am sure of its quality. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Australia. Although the Village where we lived apparently was housing refuges as well, which created an unsafe living environment in the beginning. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Luckily I do not live on a budget. However, Australia is VERY expensive just double all prices in America and thats most of the time the price for Australian goods. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | I was the most prepared for their "winter" time of the people in my group, but I still wish I was more knowledgable. |
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. |
