Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Australia - Indonesia adventure trip Past Review

By (Illinois State University) - abroad from 02/02/2012 to 07/03/2012 with

Edith Cowan University: Perth - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Everything, so many things, it was awesome.

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.

Different class layout than ISU. 3 hour classes once a week.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Kate Butler helped so much.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

No meal plan

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Best because I lived on campus

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

None needed. So unsure

* Safety:

Only occasional attacks by aboriginals in surrounding areas but ISU is not much better.

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)

EVERYTHING was more expensive than here in America. Must know how to stretch a dollar. I lived on about 40 dollars a week and lived with people that spend around 125 dollars a week. Very expensive part of the world and a job is required.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 40-50 plus whatever activities
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Do not eat food, and if drink alcohol drink boxed wine because its 3-4 times cheaper.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • The people on campus were great, awesome friends and international exposure.
* What could be improved?
  • Price of trip
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The price of living was a lot higher than expected.