Australia: A Whole New World Past Review
By Emily K (Kinesiology and Exercise Science., Longwood University) for
IFSA: Sydney - University of New South Wales
i think that it was an amazing experience. i would do it again but there would be some things i would have changed to get a better experience. make sure to travel as much as possible cause there is so much to see. go to paddy's market in Sydney. your friends and wallet will thank you! it really made me grow as a person and learn more about myself and other country's traditions/laws. it was a great experience. watch out for gators!! and use LOTS of sunscreen!
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. |
large university compared to Longwood classes were difficult but definitely rewarding, you learned a lot grading was interesting because you earned points instead of losing them, grades conversions were also very different there was a lot of team teaching, I think one of my classes had 11 different professors |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Butler was very good, they were always in contact with you (texting, calling, email, etc), they liked to meet up and talk about the experience often, there was a lot of support |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
i was lucky and lived in an actual house with three other American exchange students, the neighborhood was very nice but not really that close to any other college students, if I went again i would stay in the dorms the house was pretty well equip with everything we needed, we just had to buy linens and food (the Greek lady next door brought us a lot of food though!) |
| * Food: |
i had to cook all my meals for myself and my cooking isn't all that amazing |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
kept the students very involved and allowed them to experience many different kinds of things, there were also social events held through the university itself |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | everything is more expensive over there since it has to be imported don't try vegemite no matter what anyone tells you, it's not good on anything sometimes they can be a little too friendly so be careful don't travel around after dark by yourself (should go without saying) the bus system is good and fairly reliable, travel10 tickets are your friend you will have to study and take notes in class, most of them have a very strict attendance policy so if you aren't one to wake up for class I would buy a really loud alarm clock i basically lived on the third floor of the library but remember no food or drink they will fine you and they don't give warnings internet can be expensive, I used a pay as you go plan and it worked great for me (skype eats up a lot of megabits though) need to be outgoing but dedicated |
