Wanderlust Ignited! Past Review
By Natalie W (Animal Science, University of Nebraska - Lincoln) - abroad from 07/10/2014 to 11/21/2014 with
ISA Study Abroad in Townsville, Australia
I learned so much not only about the world, but most importantly about myself. I learned that I am capable of so much more than I ever thought possible, and my passion for exploring the world has busted wide open! The most memorable experience of my life so far, and one that I will never forget.
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. |
The professors were all experts in their respective fields, and many invited guest lecturers to class as well, which really helped students to gain more perspective and diverse thinking into the topic they were learning about. Very different academic grading scale as the states which took some getting used to (most classes only had a midterm and a final exam). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our resident coordinator on campus as well as the team that greeted us and showed us around the first week were so excited to be there and to help us get acclimated to the new culture we had stepped into. The diversity of the team (some from the states and some locals) really made the process so much less scary and we were able to focus on the fun that much more. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I absolutely LOVED where I lived. I was put into a room with two Australian natives who were thrilled to have me living with them. Plus the opportunities and friendships they opened me up to made the experience that much more fulfilling, and made it that much harder to leave. The college (dorm) I lived in was very into all resident parties, activities, sports, etc., so i was able to meet so many people I wouldn't have met on my own. Yip Yah GR! |
| * Food: |
The food was like any typical dorm dining hall food, pretty repetitive towards the end of the semester, but still good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I immediately felt at home |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Once I was accepted into the ISA program I was signed up for global healthcare through them, and then access to a student healthcare plan through my university as well. Double protection! I got a few vaccines recommended by my doctor before I left, but not for anything too life-threatening or scary. |
| * Safety: |
I never once felt unsafe in any part of town or anywhere on campus while I was abroad. Townsville has a small-town beachy feel which contributed to my level of comfortableness. I do still suggest, as you would do anywhere else, to use the buddy system! And be aware of where you are; getting lost in a part of town you don't know well at night is still scary! |
| 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) |
It all comes down to how much you want to buy for souvenirs, travel, spend on food/alcohol, etc. It would be very easy to live on less than $100 a week, especially if your fees include eating at the dining hall. Most of your money will be spent on going into town to the clubs, so be aware of that! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I bought snacks to keep in my room, and went on quite a few food runs, especially towards the end, but it was never too expensive! Maybe $50 a week on average? |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Think about how much money you want to have to spend while you are there, then take twice that! While its possible to be conservative with your money, you dont want to have to worry about a budget the whole time! Also being in Townsville, you will have to dish out more money for travelling because of the location. |
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 was going to need even less luggage than I thought I would need (I only took one suitcase and it was too much!) |
