Amazing unforgettable hands on learning experience in Australia! June 30, 2023
By A student (Environmental Science, University of Mary Washington) - abroad from 02/03/2023 to 05/18/2023 with
SIT Study Abroad: Australia - Rainforest, Reef, and Cultural Ecology
Definitely worthwhile! Having the opportunity to learn in some of the world's most unique ecosystems and have "class" in the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef was a fully memorable experience. Also, with the guidance of professionals in the field of conservation ecology, I was able to experience a deeper education, understanding, and respect for the reef and rainforests. Through SIT in the incredible Wet Tropics of Northern Queensland, I left with many new friendships, research experience in my field of study, and a better appreciation for this study.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
For the amount of time, we spent in each area learning about the Wet Tropics, Great Barrier Reef, and Aboriginal culture I felt I left with a stronger understanding and appreciation for the ecosystems and culture. The overall workload of assignments all helped with preparation of the final independent study paper and where nothing was assigned as busy work. When assignment guidelines and the criteria were not clear, often asking for clarification was not helpful, due to a lack of communication with the overall group regarding assignments. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All the instructors were passionate and knowledgeable in their fields! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Hostels are the main form of accommodation throughout the program. We moved around a lot throughout the program depending on what we were learning. While staying in hostels all students were roomed together. |
| * Food: |
During excursions (away from Cairns) all food is provided and students rotate through dinner crews. While in Cairns, a stipend is provided that would cover food expense for that period of time. Most students made food in the hostel kitchen or would go out to eat. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Cairns is a very touristy city but when we were on excursions, we were more immersed in the local culture. In addition, we spent a week camping with Aboriginal Elders learning about their culture and listening to Dreamtime Stories. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
International SOS is provided for all participants through SIT. |
| * Safety: |
Felt safe the entire program. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The educational opportunity provided by the study abroad program allowed for a deep understanding in to the field. The hands-on practice and ability to research directly in the Australian ecosystems, helped me learn far more then in a traditional classroom setting. I find being fully immersed in the study, was more beneficial to my education. |
Finances
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* 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) |
Was given more than enough during our times in Cairns. We did not need stipends when we were on excursions, because all expenses were paid for. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | When living in the hostels, it is best to buy groceries and make meals in the hostel kitchens. Eating out all the time can get expensive. With that said, if you have left over stipend money save it for Independent Study Project time, saving my leftover stipend meant I did not have to spend any of my personal money during ISP. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You do not need to pack a lot. Unless you plan to travel after the program ends and in that case, I would pack a few extra pieces of clothes for that season you are going into. Australia can get cold depending on where you plan to go in the winter. |
