Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Positive Experience at JCU Past Review

By (Speech Pathology, University of Connecticut) - abroad from 02/09/2015 to 06/22/2015 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to be much more independent. I also learned how to travel alone. It taught me a lot about myself and helped me to grow as a person.

Review Photos

James Cook University - Townsville: Townsville - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo James Cook University - Townsville: Townsville - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo

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.

Classes typically had only one or two assignments and then a final, so everything was worth a large percentage of your grade. Professors graded hard here, but it was not impossible to get good grades.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Had a very helpful ISA program director that was involved throughout the semester. He planned a number of free trips and events for us.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in University Hall in a single room, and it was always extremely loud and noisy. People were not respectful of quiet hours. I would suggest living in apartment style dorms such as George Roberts, or Rotary International instead.

* Food:

I had a meal plan that provided three meals a day. It was important to get to the dining hall as soon as it opened for each meal or else the food would run out very fast. There was typically only one choice of meal for dinner, and one vegetarian option.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt very safe in Townsville. I would not recommend traveling alone in town during the night, but other than that I did not have any issues with safety.

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)

I technically did not have to spend any money while attending James Cook University aside from book costs because I had a meal plan. However, any time I wanted to leave campus and go to town for dinner or the beach, a bus ticket would cost $4. In addition, everything is much more expensive in Australia than it is at home, so buying souvenirs and clothes definitely added up.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be wise about spending your money on alcohol. Many students that were under 21 but of the legal age limit in Australia went out partying every weekend and the expenses definitely added up for them by the end of the semester.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Traveling
  • Friends
* What could be improved?
  • Transportation
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Town and the beach are about a half hour bus ride away from campus. Campus is pretty isolated without much to do, so make sure to make a friend that has a car here.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!