Down Under: My Home-Away-From-Home Past Review
By Ashley H (Zoology/Animal Biology., University of New Hampshire) - abroad from 02/10/2012 to 06/24/2012 with
ISA Study Abroad in Brisbane, Australia
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My semester in Brisbane, Australia, was the most unforgettable and exciting semester of my undergraduate career thus far. As a Zoology major, I chose to take classes unique to the Australian environment (like Coral Reefs) and had the amazing opportunity to conduct research with an Honors student based on gecko behavior. I crossed so many items off of my bucket list, from learning how to surf and scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef to holding a koala and Zorb-ing down the hills of New Zealand's North Island (basically, rolling down in a giant plastic ball!). Yet the most memorable aspect of my time abroad was undoubtedly the people I met--both from Australia and numerous other countries around the world, from Fiji and Singapore to Germany and Great Britain. Living at International House allowed me to step into and experience cultures that I am generally not exposed to at my home university; I was able to engage in many events that promoted this, including special 'Bara Khana' dinner nights and watching traditional dances being performed during talent shows. Without GlobaLinks, this life-changing experience would never have run so smoothly and effortlessly; even from the first leg of my journey, I had no worries about the logistical part of my experience. The incredibly long flights, orientations upon arrival, where to pick up my pre-ordered cell phone--all of this was worry-free, thanks to the dedication and guidance of the staff both on-site and back home.
Review Photos
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
* 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? |
Living at International House was by far the best part of my time abroad! |
* Food: |
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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? |
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* 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
* 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) |
Australia has a fairly high cost of living, so be prepared to budget wisely! |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-75 |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Figure out where you want to travel during weekends and breaks towards the start of the semester...that way, you can begin to plan your trips, figure out the approximate costs, and use your money wisely the rest of the semester! |
Language
* Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | How much of a struggle reverse culture shock can be! Be prepared to not want to come back to the States after a semester or year abroad :) |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
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