Making the Most of My Time Down Under Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/18/2015 to 06/28/2015 with
IFSA: Sydney - University of Sydney
My time abroad was most definitely a worthwhile experience and a semester that is unparalleled to any that I ever imagined I would have during college. My semester abroad led me to have to learn how best to balance a rigorous academic schedule, living independently, as well as my desire to travel and explore all that Sydney and Australia had to offer.
Review Photos
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I chose to live in a student accommodation with a kitchen therefore I shopped and cooked for myself everyday. My program did not supply any food and I was not on a meal plan. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no experience with the healthcare system, however my program adviser gave us a complete list of the nearest doctors and medical services. |
| * 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I tried my best to cook dinner and not go out to restaurants for dinner (except for special occasions), in order to save money for traveling. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | While the program is there to assist you during your time abroad, you are still very much expected to live and figure things out independently. |
