Griffith: NOT the Gold Coast Past Review
By Jacki I (Communication Management and Design, Ithaca College) for
Griffith University: Gold Coast - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was worth it to go abroad but my experience abroad was less than satisfactory and very unhealthy with the HUGE encouragement of drugs, day drinking, etfc
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Very much independent work which is a good thing |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very friendly and helpful for the most part |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
No sheets, cookware. Empty room with shelves and an ethernet cord. No orientation given on transportation (had to ask other people for rides to get groceries/walk to buy them) |
| * Food: |
No food given |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Going out to clubs and the beach paid for by my school. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Little to no regard given to safety (rape culture, drinking, drugs, being alone at night, risky behavior, etc) |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | A LOT everything cost double or triple what it would in the states (probably 100-150 a week on food, alcohol, expenses) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Have a job and save money before you go |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Study study study! Learn everything about your program before you decide to embark on such a journey. |
