Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An experience of a lifetime! October 18, 2024

By (Marketing, University of Wisconsin - Madison) - abroad from 02/01/2024 to 05/10/2024 with

IES Abroad: Sydney - Study Australia Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad in Sydney, Australia was one of the most worthwhile experiences I’ve ever had. It taught me to step outside of my comfort zone, adapt to new environments, and become more independent. I gained a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity, and it helped me develop valuable life skills such as problem-solving and resilience. Academically, I gained new insights from a global perspective, and the hands-on learning opportunities really expanded my understanding of different issues. The friendships I made, both with fellow students and locals, enriched my time abroad and continue to be an important part of my life.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you intend on traveling outside of your city/country, plan to spend around $10-$15k in additional spending while you're abroad.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • A perfect balance between academics and adventure, with plenty of free time to explore Sydney and travel around Australia.
  • Memorable excursions like trips to the Blue Mountains and local wildlife parks that enhanced the cultural experience.
  • Incredible support from IES Abroad staff, who made sure we had everything we needed to feel comfortable and succeed.
* What could be improved?
  • The trimester option felt too short—more time would have allowed for deeper immersion and more travel.
  • Sydney can be expensive, so more resources or tips on budgeting would benefit future participants.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known just how fast the time would fly by! It would have encouraged me to plan my travel more strategically to see as much of the country as possible. I also wish I had known more about the costs of living in Sydney—while it’s an incredible city, it's important to budget for transportation, meals, and weekend trips ahead of time. Knowing this in advance would have helped me manage my finances better and make the most of my time abroad without worrying about costs.