FURRY LITTLE MONSTERSSSSSS!!! Past Review
By Michael K (Business Administration, Trinity University) for
IFSA: Sydney - University of New South Wales
This was the best time of my life. It is great because you get to meet a completely new set of friends from all over the world and learn a lot about a new culture. However, it is similar enough that you will not experience culture shock very much. I absolutely loved every minute of it. Make sure you go on One Fish Two Fish for Spring break or everyone will make you feel terrible for not going when you get back to Coogee.
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. |
I took mostly art classes to fulfill my common curriculum. I found that these classes were fairly difficult because I was taking the classes with all Art Majors. However, the overall workload was fairly light and left a lot of time for other activities. I took one literature class that I never went to because you can just listen to the pod cast online. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
IFSA Butler was great. They allowed you to become acclimated to the country with the four day camp in the beginning. This is where I met my closest friends during my stay.The activities were great and everyone was always willing to help you out if you ever needed anything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living in Coogee was the best. All the apartments are on the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. There is a great nightlife in Coogee and plenty of things to do. The apartments are very nice and close to campus( about a 35 minute walk uphill-you can also take the bus). I always felt very safe although a few of my friends were broken into. I lived like a gypsy and only bought the bare necessities. However, this was completely ok. All you really need is a pillow, sheets, a bathing suite and a few clothes. Everything else in the apartment was provided for you. |
| * Food: |
Food was great. Pretty similar to American food. Pretty expensive tho. I made my own food a lot that I bought from the grocery store. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
For the most part I hung out with Americans, which was great because they all were all super fun and ready to go out nearly every night. However, I did take a class called Cultural Heritage Management (Indigenous studies class) that was amazing and I actually learned a thing or two about culture. They take you on this great fieldtrip to Jarvis bay where you can learn about the Indigenous culture and meet a bunch of people from all over (mostly study abroad kids take this class). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Just like a good American City. A few of my friends were broken into tho. No bird or swine flew. Very few bums but several wankers that wear jorts and have mullets or pony tails. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be prepared to drink strictly boxed wine. Alcohol is rediculously expensive. A case of 24 beers is upwards of 55 dollars!! Food is really expensive also. Costs add up quick. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you like to have a good time, love to go to the beach, love to party, would like to learn to surf, are outgoing and willing to try new things, and don't mind being attacked by the furry little monster roos and koala bears, this program will be the time of your life. |
