Event Management: Amazing Surfside School with a Business Attitude in Sydney! Past Review
By Haley J (Event Management, Lynn University) - abroad from 01/06/2012 to 05/12/2012 with
ISA Study Abroad in Sydney, Australia
My experience changed my whole outlook on life. I had the the opportunity to network and meet students from all over the world. It was definitely worth while!
Review Photos
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. |
I went to ICMS to get the an academic focus in event management not available at my university. I found the class structure to be challenging, thorough, but not overwhelming in all subjects. We had to apply the concepts we learned with action. I was able to pre-plan three events and execute two during my term at ICMS, an experience that really sets my resume apart. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our advisors were local and organized events for us throughout the semester. They were easily accessible for help if needed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
ICMS was a beautiful building and even with roommates, I loved getting to know everyone and the beach view! |
| * Food: |
Our formal dining room was ran by hospitality students and free of charge for on-campus students |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Globalinks had a bridging cultures program where we all met and spend a week at the reef getting to know the culture and each other. ICMS was always having events and most international students live on campus. It was easy to get to know the locals! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
ICMS is right across from a hospital. I was lucky enough to have no problems but my friend did have a cut on her food get infected. She just walked across the street where they have her a shot and anti-biotic. The treatment was covered by her insurance (required by the program). |
| * Safety: |
Manly is a small town on the beach. It is just a quick ferry ride from Sydney but safe to walk alone in. I would walk home late at night after working an event at the Novotel and I never felt unsafe. |
| 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) |
All our food was provided through the university but because I was working I spent at least 100 a week going out with friends or doing various activities and saving for my trip to Fiji following the semester. I could have lived on less- however I chose to take advantage of earning money in Australia to experience all that I could. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | At least $100 avg. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | 1) Alcohol is expensive. If you want to save- drink less 2) Your local grocery store is much cheaper than eating out everynight 3) Experiences are much more worth while than spending money partying- you can do that at home! |
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? | 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? | I felt very well prepared for my program. I wish I knew more about reverse culture shock, because returning to the states was definitely the hardest thing for me! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Event Practicum |
| Course Department: | Event Management |
| Instructor: | Vicki Garlick |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The class was as real at it gets with the event industry. We had two events to pre-plan one followed by execution. It was our job as a group to meet our client, create a concept for their event, and delegate tasks across the board from marketing, theme, budget, logistics etc. We controlled every aspect of the event along with the client and under Vicki's guidance. She graded us on our portfolio of all event documents we assembled throughout the semester (sponsorship proposal, invitations, list of event roles, prizes donated). Our event was a 7 course cocktail themed party- yes that's 7 courses of different cocktails with appetizers dropped on the tables. It included: a silent auction, raffle, costume contest (80's cocktail), photography, and of course catering for the food & mixology for the 7 cocktails. We raised a total of $10,000 after covering some costs benefiting Cure Cancer Australia. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No, my class transferred as an elective because we do not have a similar class at my university. |
