Best Decision Of My Life. Nothing will ever compare. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Most people always say classes abroad are a joke unless you go to Australia and then they are always hard there. I'm a good student but was a bit nervous. However, I found the classes to be quite manageable! It's true that most of your grades are made up of your midterm and final but that just means two hard weeks of studying and then you're good! There is a lot less busywork so therefore you have more time to do the things you want during the week.

On-site administration of your program

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Uni Hall and loved it! It is in the best location because it's right in the middle of campus so classes aren't too far away and with friends from other dorms it was always easiest for everyone to meet here. You get a single room along with a balcony:) People always say it's the big party building and although it is I didn't have any issues with people being too loud or annoying or anything. There is a common room downstairs that people would go to if they were drinking. Rotary is far away and is very unsocial but you get your own kitchen which is nice because the food is terrible. Western Courts is pretty much a trailer park but you get a bigger bed, AC, your own bathroom, and fridge so it's not a bad deal. The people like to party there as well. George Roberts is probably the second farthest away (it is still close to western but far from classes) and you get a suite where you get your own room and 2 other roommates. You don't get a kitchen though. If I had to pick again I'd chose Uni, but Western and George Roberts aren't bad either.

The food is TERRIBLE. However, that's how it is at all Aussie Unis so don't let that influence your decision. Just be prepared for it.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt like I got to be very involved with everything Aussie and loved it! I hung out with tons of locals and got to take advantage of everything Australia has to offer including: Rugby games, scuba diving, horse races, seeing the rainforest, having first hand experiences with kangaroos and koalas. The location of JCU Townsville is nice because it is close to all of those things along with being right by Magnetic Island which is beautiful to spend a weekend at just hiking around and laying on the beaches. It is also about a 3 hour drive from the famous Whitsunday Islands so if you don't have a lot of money but want to do some traveling that's the perfect place to visit. (Just so you know JCU has TONS of wallabies all around campus!! They're a common everyday occurrence.)

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any health issues but I know some friends who got sick and didn't have any issues getting help.

I never felt unsafe in Australia. Even in the larger cities. It is definitely safer than America so if you're parents are worried they really shouldn't be at all!

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I had a lot of help from my parents so I probably won't be the best help for these questions but if you are worried about how expensive Australia is I would say that yes somethings are expensive but some are just as reasonable as the U.S. So it is all about how you spend your money. Maybe if you don't have a lot then you can't do a lot of trips which although some of the trips I took were amazing I would still rather have gone to Australia without being able to do those than not going at all.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Our Bridging Cultures Program in Cairns
• Activities planned for us such as the Townsville Scavenger Hunt and Rugby Game

• STA is terrible. I would never use them again. You're better off booking everything on your own and just making sure to get on the same group flight in LA as everyone else. A lot of my friends agreed that they did not enjoy working with STA.

The Outright Urbanite