Past Review

By MichaelCerundolo (PSYCHOLOGY., Tufts University) for

James Cook University - Townsville: Townsville - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Europe is a place for history and architecture; Australia is a place for natural beauty (especially the Great Barrier Reef which is the most breath taking natural wonder in the world). The country holds a "No Worries" attitude that puts things in perspective and is a model lifestyle.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place:	Spring 2008

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Grading is harsher in Australia For Aussie peers, avoid courses commonly chosen by study abroad students
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Australians commute to university, so housing is limited. On campus housing is more expensive than off-campus housing, but it provides for many interactions with Aussie students making it worth it.
* Food:	*Each dorm (or "college" as they call them) serves their own food which means that they are serving only about 200 people. This allows for good quality food to be prepared.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	The best way to get to meet Australians is by living on campus with them. JCU has intramural sports teams and clubs that study abroad students can take a part in.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	JCU has a hospital right next door which students can visit. Although no country is totally "safe", Australia felt much more so.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No

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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	N/A
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Hard to say when you are on a meal plan. Australia is much more expensive than the United States, especially with US dollar dropping in value.