Australia: When Can I Go Back Past Review
By Amanda S (Accounting, St. Cloud State University) for
ISA Study Abroad: Career-Building Internships in Australia
It was amazing, however like I have mentioned several times early the Australearn advisor was horrible I beleive her name was Michelle (not from SCSU). She told us to go to a terrible area of town and some students even seen her and her boyfriend half naked as they when into their room about to do the dirty deed very unproffesional for someone that is suppose to be representing Australearn.
Review Photos
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. |
We did a lot of the work before going on the study abroad. That was had to coordinate schedules for group work when we all have our normal 4 to 8 classes during the semester. During the trip we just had to keep a journal. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Pretty much ever day we got lost trying to get to our locations so we would show up late, which looks very unproffessional. The host lady from Australearn was also very unproffessional seemed to be more interested in going out to party than with the details of our iternary. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It Melbourne our hostel was kind of on the outside of town so at night when we would go out be had to walk at least 7 blocks to get anywhere. |
| * Food: |
The provided plently of options for vegatarians and vegans. Some people complained about that food but I beleive that was just the cultural difference. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
They had a large variety of places to eat and there was good nightlife in every city we went to. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The host lady from Australearn had mention a part of town that had some cool night life with bars and dancing. A few of the kids went there like she had recommended. This was the SCAREST part of my whole try. We seen hookers on the street corners and creepy people in the ally way with strip clubs everywhere, no appropriate for our group at all. |
| 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? | I never did the final tally but after about a month I had spent probably a good 4,000 dollars. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Get snacks for your room at the grocery store so when you don't want a whole meal you will have something to snack on which is cheaper than buys one thing at a time in the convience stores. |
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? | Never go to Kings Cross no matter what you hear. Keep an open mind and try to get to know the locals. |
