Living the Dream Past Review
By megan.sylvestre (Criminal Justice, Plymouth State University) - abroad from 05/23/2012 to 05/23/2012 with
ISA Study Abroad in Gold Coast, Australia
I gained independence and knowing that I am okay on my own. Makes me feel comfortable about moving out when I get the chance. I am able to adapt to a new environment very well.
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. |
I thought that the classes here were a huge shock compared to what I was used to back at home. I always felt as though I was struggling with grades here because I kept basing it off of a number, when the grading system is harder here so I should not have been doing that. I also found that the classes themselves were easier because there are only 2 or 3 assignments for each course so it seems easy and it breezes by until an assignment is due. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I thought everyone was very good in making me feel comfortable with adapting. They were there in case I needed any help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I thought the housing in the Village was good, I mean it could have been better for the price we were paying, but that is what you get for university housing. |
| * Food: |
I went grocery shopping and made my own food all the time. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I feel like I integrated well with the culture after a couple weeks and I was able to adapt. However, there are some really rude people here that do not like americans. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had to use my healthcare. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe when I was out and about. I would go for runs outside and next to the main road, and sometimes I would go to the grocery store by myself. |
| 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) |
Everything was a lot more expensive than I ever could have imagined. People told me that beforehand but it really didn't sink in until I went to the grocery store. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 85-100 Australian Dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Only bring the amount of cash you want to spend out with you, and don't use your credit card that much because of the foreign transaction fees. Also when you take money out take a lot out at once and keep it in your room locked up somewhere and only allow yourself a cetairn amount each week. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| 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? | I wish I knew that the village I lived in was made up of mostly americans and that I would have been able to live in Surfer's Paradise for cheaper and a better experience. |
