Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing Australian and City Living Experience June 27, 2023

By (Anthropology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/14/2023 to 06/24/2023 with

IFSA: Melbourne - University of Melbourne

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot of independence.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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? $120-$150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Shop at Aldi and other discount grocery stores. Minimize the number of times you have to do laundry.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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?
  • Location
  • People
  • Opportunities
* What could be improved?
  • Maybe one more group activity
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That laundry and gyms would be expensive

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 Urbanite
A 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Beer Styles and Sensory Analysis
Course Department: Food Studies
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I thought this course was super interesting, and a little bit more challenging than expected. We were evaluated through a mid-semester test, site visit report, practical exam and theoretical exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: Unsure
Course Name/Rating:

Famine: The Geography of Scarcity
Course Department: Geography
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I enjoyed this course but felt it was a little disorganized at times. We were evaluated by two mapping exercises and quizzes, an essay, and a final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: Unsure
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Indigenous Education
Course Department: Education
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I enjoyed this course and thought that the course material was both interesting and very relevant. I learned a lot about Australia through this course. We were evaluated through a fact briefing sheet, paper, and podcast. I thought the course was a little disorganized sometimes.
Credit Transfer Issues: Unsure
Course Name/Rating:

Keeping The Body in Mind
Course Department: Anthropology
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I found this class very engaging and enjoyable. We were assessed with two papers. I participated equally as much as I do at home institution.
Credit Transfer Issues: Unsure. I have yet to go through the credit transfer process.