Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Nothing I could ever imagine! Past Review

By (Marywood University) - abroad from 02/01/2012 to 07/10/2012 with

James Cook University - Cairns: Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to deal with a lot of struggles on my own. I dealt with some of the scariest things on the other side of the planet, and there was no way my parents could just pop over and help me. It taught me how to adjust to a completely foreign environment with new people, things, and ideas. I learned how to learn from them and they learned from me. It opened up my eyes a lot, to say the least.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was definitely challenging, because the Australian school system is completely different then the American one, but as a psychology student it was cool to see another way to learn, and its effects.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The school was really small, but it's in a beautiful location.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had an absolutely horrendous of a human being for a landlord. I ended up having to get involved with the RTA and police over this couple for breaking so many rules. I found this couple on JCU's school website, so I figured it would be okay. It's not something I, or Marywood, could have avoided, but future students should be extremely cautious when looking at off campus accommodation!!!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The locals were extremely warm and welcoming, telling me all their favorite spots that tourists don't know about.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had to go to the doctor a few times because I would get extremely ill from the mosquitos in Australia (I think I was allergic) and the healthcare went through perfectly fine.

* Safety:

It is a small city but dangerous at night. You need to stick in groups at Cairns City at nighttime.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

No one would hire me because it was a tourist town and they were used to backpackers working for a week and then taking off.. They just don't hire foreign people, and they would tell me that when I applied. Also everything is EXTREMELY expensive in Australia because they have a hire cost of living.. their minimum wage is 20 dollars an hour so everything is extremely, extremely expensive.

* 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? I tried to only spend 50 a week on food which was tough because $50 barely got you anything in Australia. Other than that I spent about 15 dollars a week on the bus, $145 on rent, and $30 for accidentals
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Not really, I worked my butt off and it wasn't enough money to get me by.. I ended up taking a loan from my Uni and my sister which I have to pay back now that I'm home. I would say save up as much as you possibly could and find out all the fees ahead of time (example: I was shocked to find out the visa to go there was $600) and plan really well.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • It made it possible for me to travel to the other side of the planet. I don't know if I would ever be able to see Australia or New Zealand if it weren't for study abroad.
* What could be improved?
  • Financial component maybe.. I wasn't doing ridiculous spending but ran out of money because I was unaware of how expensive even groceries were in Australia. I should have researched it ahead of time but didn't even think of it being different from America for some stupid reason. Maybe It should be a part of the planning prior to the trip to fill out a sheet on it or something.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I want to say I wish I worked more to save money for it, but I did. I just wish I found cheaper ways to do things, I guess.