Australia is expensive, but fun beyond belief! Past Review
By Samantha F (BCS and Psych, University of Rochester) for
IES Abroad: Sydney Direct Enrollment - University Of New South Wales
Absolutely! While it didn't necessarily impact my cultural awareness as much as maybe some other countries would have, I still got to experience being on the complete other side of the world, and they DO do things very differently. I also feel that maybe others would have more of a cultural awakening if they haven't been anywhere, whereas luckily I have been abroad before, so when you compare Australia isn't as "foreign".
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. |
The work load wasn't too hard but I chose that. I think it is good that there wasn't too much work so i got to enjoy the country I was in and travel a lot instead of spending all of my time in the library. The grading system also helped. What we would probably consider a C or worse here was a B there. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our leader was very approachable and easily accessed. She was friendly and had great insight to what we would want to do while there and was very helpful in answering any questions we had. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a single dorm room on campus with all Australian students. I loved it because I got to be alone when I needed/wanted to be, but I was incorporated into the Australian campus. I got to meet so many Australians and be a part of their on campus life. |
| * Food: |
So much asian/Indian influence which was delicious! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Great night life, beautiful field trips-cairns was amazing! the great barrier reef was gorgeous! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Health insurance worked and there was a University health service on campus. The city made me feel very safe. |
| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably close to 100-300$ per week on weeks I didn't travel. close to 100$ on food and beverages and the rest on activities, cabs, bus tickets etc. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Australia is amazing! But very expensive, the exchange rate wasn't much help at the time, and the prices in general of most things were about 2-5$ more expensive than in the US. |
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? | Just make sure you can afford it, and can afford to travel a lot if you can. Australia is a huge country and I was sad I didn't get to do it all, but am glad I got to do a lot! |
