Amazing Experience with Engage Australia: Gold Coast! Past Review
By Lilli S (Communication Disorders, Communication Sciences, Butler University) - abroad from 06/18/2017 to 10/15/2017 with
IFSA: Gold Coast & Brisbane - Griffith University
I gained so much personal growth. I learned how to be independent and strong, and how much I could accomplish if I set my mind to something! I also learned how amazing other cultures are and how excited I am to see more of the word and travel.
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. |
I learned so much about Australian culture and lifestyle that I had no knowledge of prior to studying abroad. With the Engage Australia program you are enrolled in a Community and Culture course,I loved every class! Not only did I learn so much history and information about Australian lifestyle, I was also encouraged to live it and become one with my new home and culture. I interacted with Australian communities and rather than wasting my opportunities, I was inspired to integrate into that culture and learn as much as possible. I had a very rich educational experience and enjoyed every second! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program offered so much support and made my study abroad experience amazing. The staff was always there if you needed them and they truly helped me adapt to my new home and made me feel safe and welcome! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My housing was amazing abroad. I was only a short walk to the beach and surrounded by shopping centers, food and night life. No complaints! |
| * Food: |
I had access to a kitchen, so I bought and cooked my own food. I was a little taken back by the price of groceries in Australia, but that is no reflection on the program, just some advice for others! Any time I had food with the program it was always tasty. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I joined a community group while I was in abroad and I think that helped so much with my integration into the culture of Australia. I was able to learn first hand what the culture and social interactions were like, and it was an amazing experience! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was sick once while abroad, and I think the program did a great job of helping me find a doctor on my campus and how to go about getting medicine. |
| * Safety: |
The Gold Coast is a very safe city. It is a very tourist driven city, so there is always reason to be cautious, but I never encountered any problems. There are lots of people around typically and the city is well lit. It is a very safe feel overall! |
| 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) |
Food and expenses are not the most expensive part of traveling abroad, the most expensive part is traveling! I would advise students to budget and put back money to travel and see other places around Australia! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-$75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to limit eating out as much as possible. Budget to be able to go out on the weekend, but through the week try to eat at home to save money and have more available for traveling! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew how much it cost to change flights through international services. Had I known, I would have paid more attention to my return date and exam to be able to prevent having to pay to switch the flight. I know that IFSA-Butler requires a return date before traveling abroad, but I wish I had had the opportunity to learn about my courses and options before settling on one day! |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
