Experience of a lifetime! Past Review

By (Finance and Financial Management Services., Bentley University) - abroad from 07/11/2012 to 11/09/2012 with

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT): Melbourne - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The most important thing that I gained from this experience was independence as well as important friendships that I plan to maintain in the future.

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.

I thought the classes to be slightly more intensive than classes at my home university because they only meet once a week. The grades were mainly based on final exams and other tests. It was essential for students to remain exactly on track with the class and do outside work often to maintain good grades.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in the RMIT Village. It made my experience so great due to the people and students that I was exposed to,

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The people I encountered I found to be very welcoming and friendly towards all the exchange students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I only encountered one health issue while there but it was easily resolved and health care centers are found very close to campus as well as the RMIT village.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe walking around even in a big city.

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)

The city of melbourne is very expensive. Its very easy to go over a set budget without really realizing the consequences of it until later in the semester. My recommendation is only visit an ATM once a week on a certain day. That helped me balance my spending and avoid making unnecessary purchases.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100 with careful budgeting
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Avoid eating out. You will save so much money and be able to use that money for more important things such as traveling and going out around the city.

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
  • 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?
  • Australia was BEAUTIFUL
  • People are hilarious and very friendly
  • Being in a city lead to many different fun opportunities
* What could be improved?
  • Class choices
  • Scholarships for study abroad students!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I am able to take care of myself and live as a true adult. While I was abroad there was nobody that took care of making my meals, or paying for my expenses, that was completely up to me.