Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life-Changing Past Review

By (University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 07/23/2012 to 06/27/2014 with

La Trobe University: Melbourne - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned more about myself that I thought I would. I gained a new perspective on the world and on life itself

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Courses are different in that there are fewer assignments, but the few assignments/exams you do have make up the majority of your grade, so it levels out a bit.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I wish there had been someone to check in with during the first couple months of being abroad. It was all fend-for-yourself, and definitely struggled in several areas in the beginning and didn't know who to go to.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Amazing! I lived with 2 different groups of 40 Australians (one group the first semester, and the second during the last semester). I'm so glad I chose to live on campus. I really was able to become more immersed in the culture than if I had lived off campus

* Food:

Better food! It's easier to eat healthier in Australia I found. There is a subway right on campus and other various cultural restaurants from Indian to Asian to organic.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I have never experience so much culture not just from Australia, but from around the world! I felt so integrated, I started believing I was Australian.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Health care is quite easy to deal with. If you have OSHC, it's easy to deal with; however you may have to wait a while in the ER to be seen.

* Safety:

Not once did I feel threatened or unsafe.

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 had to get a job while abroad, and my first couple of months were rough because I went in July and school funding didn't come through until September. Looking for a job as an international was quite tough for some reason, but I did end up making it. Once I found the job, it was quite easy to save up and spend money on traveling.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75-$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get the concession card for transportation (can only get if you are an exchange student)/car pool, and sign up for the culture card Victoria for good deals on events and trips going on.

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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the culture and people
  • The classes
  • The independence
* What could be improved?
  • the application process
  • Have someone to check in with
  • Financial Aid sooner!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How amazing it was going to be. I would have made arrangements to stay their longer even.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.