Amazing, fun educational experience June 26, 2023
By Merrill W (Marine biology, San Diego State University) - abroad from 02/03/2023 to 05/18/2023 with
SIT Study Abroad: Australia - Rainforest, Reef, and Cultural Ecology
I learned about Australian social culture, the endemic species found in the Wet Tropics, experience working in the lab studying coral reproduction (my chosen field), and aboriginal culture. Additionally, I made friends from all across the United States who were on the program with me. Definitely a worthwhile experience!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Fun hands on learning experience |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Professors were very well educated in their fields. Incredibly helpful and obviously enjoy teaching the program. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
As nice of hostels as you can get! |
| * Food: |
Food was always provided when on excursions and were given a stipend when in Cairns! Food was very good! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Cairns itself is very touristy but when on excursions we were immersed in real local culture. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There were a couple of health concerns while we were on program and all individuals involved were supported and taken care of! |
| * Safety: |
Felt very safe the entire program. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I couldnt have experienced Cairns the same had I just been traveling there. I got incredible hands on experience within my field of study and got to learn a lot about australian culture and wildlfie! |
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) |
Definitely given more than enough when in Cairns. We didnt really need stipends when we were on excursions |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy groceries! Its tempting to just eat out but that will definitely cost you more in the long run! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It gets cold in the winter!! |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
