Sydney Uni: Great Time, but a Few Trials! Past Review
By Becky H (Anthropology, Tulane University) for
IFSA: Sydney - University of Sydney
I loved the city, I loved the school. The actually IFSA-Butler program I found totally disappointing. I would say if you want to study at Sydney Uni go through a different USA university program.
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. |
Teaching is very separate from the students. During lectures, discussion is not really encouraged, but rather done in the weekly tutorial. Grading is much more difficult since Australian grading feels that receiving a credit is perfectly acceptable, though a credit is a high 60% and hard to see on an exam for the USA student. That being said there is a transfer of the grades into US grades that really helps out. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was fine. But not great. Programs were always organized sloppily and communication was awful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in the Sydney Uni Village apartments. The buildings are great, super nice, I loved my studio apartment. My only issues were that there were no common spaces on the floors, so you really never knew your neighbors. Also, upon arrival, jet-lagged and exhausted, you come into a room that has nothing. I mean there is a bed with a mattress but that is it. So then you do a crazy shopping spree at Target, spend hundreds of dollars on stuff that you end up giving away in 5 months, before Target closes at 6pm. That being said, once moved in, great space. |
| * Food: |
Around campus there is all sorts of yummy food! Sydney is full of great restaurants! Just be ready to spend a lot of money any time you eat. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I didn't really utilize any of the trips because they never worked with my schedule. I wish I could have gone on some of them. My friends who did go said they were usually chaotic and badly organized. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Sydney is disturbingly safe. It's sort of hard to get used to, but so so safe. I mean obviously is a big city so don't be dumb, but compared to our big cities, it's so safe. My only incident with healthcare was I broke my permanent retainer so I had to go to the dentist. Insurance wouldn't cover it because it was cosmetic. But the process was easy enough. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | So much money! A 12 pack of diet coke cans at the grocery story was around $16. Beer was at its cheapest around $5, but could be as high as $10 for a beer. Wine was around $7 a glass and up. Dinner for two at a decent restaurant (but not fancy) with one drink each, 1 appetizer, and 2 entries would be upwards of $70. All cosmetics are absurd. Buy lots of your products in the USA and bring them in otherwise you'll spend a fortune. I brought with me lots of my mascara, eyeliner, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner/bodywash, etc. and saved so much moeny! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I wish I knew how expensive bedding would be. The cheapest sheets are around $40. Oh also, there is no heating there and if you go during the US's Fall semester, it's very cold for the first 3 months in Sydney, so you end up buying blankets, electric blankets, and space heaters. Be prepared to spend a lot of money on food. Also, going out at night you basically make it rain. If you can go out and party with out spending around $80 a night, then you're doing well. Obviously you don't have to go out. But if that's the lifestyle you are used to, prepare you finances for the blow. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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 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? | Independent minded students who are go-getters would like this program. Seeing the city and country is really up to you and how much initiative you have to do it. The program is not going to force you to be cultural, but you should be. It's an amazing city! |
