Australia- stay away from the Spiders Past Review
By Carley L (Journalism and Political Science, Indiana University of Pennsylvania) for
ISA Study Abroad in Melbourne, Australia
That is too broad of a question and I don't have a lot of time. But this changes for everyone. I have been lucky enough to travel a good amount before this so each experience kind of blends together. This turns into one wonderful brush stoke filled with different people, their various stories and the person you become as you encounter lives you never knew existed. All I know now is that I have to continue on traveling in my future career.
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. |
The structure was quite different and took some getting used to, however I liked the Australian version better. Even though it was harder. My professors were wonderful, intelligent and helpful in whatever I needed. The grading system was confusing and as my grades transferred back they were much lower than what I expected. Although I have no oppurtunity to fix these grades now and can only hope that when my unievrsity calculates them they take the differences into account. This is something which I feel should be better addressed. The teaching methods were not that different. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They literally did nothing. They barely kept in contact with me. Besides the beginning orientation you were pretty much on your own. Which was fine with me, but I could see how this would cause some problems with other students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was safe, it was close to class. The main administrator Jesse was a little out of touch with his students. I didn't think he handled things that well with setting up events, but I had a wonderful experience nonetheless. |
| * Food: |
The food was good, if you could afford it. Their idea of a meal plan is pretty much non existent and made everything very expensive. |
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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: |
If I were to get sick, I had no idea what to do. It was never discussed with, so good thing I remained healthy. As far as safety La Trobe's campus was pretty safe and there were people willing to drive you to your dorm after night which was nice. |
| 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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Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 202 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be prepared to go broke, get worried and still have the best time of your life. There is no student that should go more than another- even if you hate it traveling will have benefited you in realizing that traveling isn't for you. But trust me- you won't hate it. Everyone should go. |
