Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Sydney: If You Lived Here, You'd Be Home Now Past Review

By (Writing/English, Ithaca College) for

IES Abroad: Sydney Direct Enrollment - University Of Sydney

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely. I've gained a travel bug, not to mention such a love for Australia.

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.

I liked the educational differences, but I wish the conversion for grades had been better explained to us.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I loved everything about my program. My housing, the program size, everything. It was all amazing.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Newtown (where SUV is located) has a lot of gluten-free restaurants.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved our autumn break trip to Cairns and the jungle surfing we did there.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I always felt incredibly safe in Sydney. I never felt like I had to worry about anything.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make sure you have money to travel. You will regret it if you don't.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The autumn break trip
  • The uni itself
  • Living so close to campus
* What could be improved?
  • Planning for IES events
  • Guidance to general supplies by apartment upon arrival
  • Help with directions upon arrival to Sydney
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Study abroad time is the time for you: not your parents, not your friends, but you. I've dreamed of going to Australia since I was eleven, and I would choose Sydney for my study abroad experience every time. The Aussies are some of the kindest people I've ever met, and the Sydney Opera House should be the eighth wonder of the world. If you're looking to be not far from downtown Sydney, close to a campus that has some of the most gorgeous architecture I've ever seen, and you want to live in an amazing suburb, just go to the University of Sydney. You won't regret it. I know I don't.