Lived my best life on the beach in Australia, you'll regret not doing it. Past Review
By Kristie Tunheim (Gustavus Adolphus College) - abroad from 02/12/2018 to 06/24/2018 with
IFSA: Gold Coast & Brisbane - Griffith University
100%. I learned how to be completely independent so far away from my normal support system. I was able to fully understand who I am as a person and how to live my best life by doing activities I truly get joy from. I learned all about the Australian laid back lifestyle and got to live next to a beach for nearly half a year. All of this has shaped me into who I am and who I am continually developing towards.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Fantastic housing. Couldn't have been better if they tried. Highrise two blocks from the beach in downtown Surfers Paradise. Every night I fell asleep watching and listening to the waves out my window. |
| * Food: |
We had self-catered meals. Australia is very expensive. I lived very cheaply but it was difficult. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Australian culture is very similar to that of the US so it was easy to integrate but once you were there for a while you catch on to the slight distinct differences. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Felt super safe the whole time. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
No question!!! Best location within Australia, best weather and climate for studying away in the Spring, best housing option anywhere, amazing school, amazing people and just an outstanding experience overall. |
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) |
Australia is a very expensive country if you are not making wages that match the standard of living expenses. I spent about $100 on groceries per week, $20 for transportation and $10 for misc. necessities. Overall very expensive. Also alcohol was like 3x the price it would be in the US. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Between $130 and $150 per week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | There are some amazing farmers markets every week that offer cheap and yummy food. The market at the Home of the Arts in Bundall was my favorite. Also there's a fresh food market in the middle of the Pacific Fair Mall that was cheap. Going out to eat anywhere will cost at minimum $20 no matter what you get. It's so expensive, but so worth it! |
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? | Don't plan on buying many clothes when you get here. Also bring all the sunscreen. All of it. One bottle costs $19 in a drugstore and I blistered on my face from the UV rays that are so strong over Oceania. Also meet everyone and anyone you can. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
