Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing experience! Past Review

By (Biology, Neuroscience, Psychology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 07/11/2016 to 11/20/2016 with

IFSA: Sydney - University of Sydney

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that I am a capable, independent person with an open mind and a will to embrace new things.

Review Photos

IFSA-Butler: Sydney - University of Sydney Photo IFSA-Butler: Sydney - University of Sydney Photo IFSA-Butler: Sydney - University of Sydney Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Fines were ridiculous; $1500 AUD if you set off the fire alarm while cooking

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The pre-departure advising emails from my program gave out a lot of useful information. IFSA-Butler staff made themselves available for any questions or concerns before, during, and after the program. I loved living in Sydney and taking classes at the University of Sydney. I made a lot of great friends through the program that I wouldn't have met otherwise.

Finances

* 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)

Sydney is a pretty expensive place to live

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50-60
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat out as little as possible and avoid paying entrance fees to bars and clubs. Cut back on alcohol consumption.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • People I met through the program.
  • Location of the program.
  • Trips/excursions organized by the program.
* What could be improved?
  • I wish the program was a bit smaller. Orientation was really overwhelming having to meet so many new people in such a short time frame.
  • The group flight was really expensive and it didn't include transportation to the airport for the return flight.
  • I wish that more information was given out on the best way to travel in Australia outside of Sydney
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The University of Sydney has multiple campuses, but I didn't know this when I created my first class schedule. I wound up with back to back classes on different campuses and had to find a whole new set of classes last minute when I finally realized this.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.