Always an adventure Past Review
By Christie N (Finance and Financial Management Services., Providence College) - abroad from 02/13/2013 to 07/01/2013 with
IFSA: Sydney - Macquarie University
Definitely worthwhile. Learned a lot about myself and how to deal with issues I never had to before.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academics here were extremely difficult. I am taking all 100 level courses and am in over my head. Courses are very independent but also intense. You are required to learn all information on your own. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Well run. Orientation was great. Program advisor is very approachable and open to all questions. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I would have preferred if I was closer to campus. I wish there were more benefits with living in the Village, like a meal plan or gym membership. Parts of the facilities were nice, but the Village administration was very unhelpful. Very disorganized. Many things we were expecting to be supplied (i.e. vacuum, mop, broom) came late in the semester, or not at all. |
| * Food: |
Expensive. Not many restaurants to go to around. Wish there was a meal plan option. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The local culture is great. However, I wish there were more international students not from the United States living around me in the University Village. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There were two major issues during the semester. Sexual assault and physical assault happened very close to me. Always walk with a buddy and take well lit pathways. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
2 - about $150 per week |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Have priority with your money. Don't eat out all the time and save up for future trips - even day trips to places like the beach. |
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? | The level of difficulty of classes. I would not have taken two sciences. They are extremely difficult. I also wish I created a strict budget. Spent MUCH more money than I expected. |
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. |
