Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A great travel experience with a ton to see and do! Past Review

By (Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester) - abroad from 02/15/2012 to 06/26/2012 with

IES Abroad: Sydney Direct Enrollment - University Of New South Wales

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be independent and plan trips where I wanted under a budget. I also learned more about city life living so close to Sydney.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Very few assignments, surprising for the engineering field. Exams and quizzes were fairly hard.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

No dryer or heaters, so house was freezing when it got close to winter and our clothes wouldn't dry.

* 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

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)

Cost of living was very expensive

* 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? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be careful of how much money you spend when you go out, and how much taxis can cost. Look for food deals at the grocery store, restaurants are pricey. Buy boxed wine!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • The location and weather-Sydney was beautiful
  • Ease at which I could travel around the country and to neighboring countries
  • Free events through IES: cruise, jetboating, etc.
* What could be improved?
  • The engineering courses were set-up very differently from the US
  • Make it a requirement to take a class on Australian history or culture
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have met more Australians if I didn't go with a bunch of American friends.