Studying abroad in Australia was the best decision I ever made! Past Review
By Nikki F (PSYCHOLOGY., Illinois State University) for
Griffith University: Gold Coast - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Before I didn't even know where half the countries in Europe were located, but after making Norwegian friends and living with my Dutch roommates, it expanded my global knowledge.
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. |
The workload was manageable and easier. The grading scale was a bit tougher. Instead of only attending lectures, you must attend a lecture and a tutorial (a break-out session of the lecture. Each lecture and tutorial meets once a week. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived at Griffith University Village. I set up accommodation by visiting their website. Our neighborhood was extremely safe. There was a night manager on call every night and a security guard who walked around throughout the night to ensure safety. We lived a 5 minute walk from campus. The apartment came furnished, but needed to purchase pots, pans, silverware, plates, bedding, etc. The neighborhood was extremely social and it was really easy to meet people. I met my friends the second day there! The rent pretty pricey, but worth it for a first semester student for the social aspect. The staff also arranged many programs throughout the week. The apartment neighborhood has a pool, BBQ area, computer lab, rec room, and picnic area. A majority of the international students lived here, so it's a great way to meet people from all over the world, although there was a lot of Americans. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The area was very safe, very little crime. Australia is in the top 3 for safest countries in the world! |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about $30-$40 each week. Food is much more expensive, so I was not prepared for that. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Australia is much more expensive. The dollar is worth about the same, but they make more money, so their prices are higher. Our dollar does not get us very far Down Under! |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't spend all your money on clothes or other unnecessary items and activities. Save it for traveling around the country. I had spent a lot of money within my first 2 months on shopping for things I did not need. By the end of the semester, when I had time to travel more, I was not able to as I spent my money on material things. I would have much rather to missed out on movies, shopping sprees, etc. in order to travel more. |
