Environmentally-friendly Australia made me feel at home! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Workload was fair. Probably less work than a semester at AC. However there was not a lot of time to accomplish this work. I felt grading was somewhat unfair, because different teachers graded differently, therefore it was difficult to learn how to write papers for each prof. (For instance, a semester at AC, one will learn their professor's grading method and adjust to it as needed.) The teaching methods and educational system was totally different from anything I have ever experienced before because my semester in Australia was based on experiential learning. In other words, hiking through the rainforest or taking a surf lesson was considered "class and a learning session." This was absolutely amazing, but a very different method than I had ever experienced before. I had to adjust from learning from notes on a board and taking notes, to listening and remembering more carefully. I feel overall it was a great way to learn, although I enjoy class time also.

On-site administration of your program

I felt that AC's Study Abroad Administration was absolutely amazing. I was able to quickly pick out a program by explaining my desires in a program (i.e. ISP, environmental studies) and narrow down the program for me. I also had help in making sure I would get the credits I needed towards graduation from this program. I was encouraged to attend other students' study abroad presentations, which were helpful for what to expect from SIT. I didn't have a lot of questions before I left, I am more the type of person who just wants to get there, try it, and figure it out for myself. But I felt like I was very well taken care of by AC study abroad office.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing was great- we did everything from camping, to hostels, to a host family. For three weeks I lived on Buddhist communities for my research project. Every place was great. I felt safe everywhere, and we were always within walking distance of class, except at our host family stay, where we were driven somewhere on certain days. My host family treated me as a 21-year-old college student living with them. I was easily accepted and allowed to do what I pleased. I had responsibilities like my laundry and helping out with dishes. During my travels, I did not have to purchase anything in order to settle in.

I didn't have dietary restrictions, but when we traveled as a group and ate as a group, we always had vegetarian options. Sometimes a few of us would recommend something to make for lunch or dinner and our program advisor would see to buying it at the grocery store for us. I always had delicious food. Byron Bay has great places all over to grab something quick like falafel or sushi rolls.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I volunteered at a five-day music festival in Byron Bay, called BluesFest...that was absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed traveling to Tasmania, where we spent two weeks traveling around, studying in national parks, and hiking a lot. The Aboriginal Field Trip in Evan's Head was spectacular. We became so close to our Aboriginal teachers in those few days, it was hard to leave them. I felt a spiritual connection with the land when learning from them.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There were not any healthcare issues within our group. Sometimes I didn't feel very safe on our hiking trips because we were either hiking up huge boulder mountains, where I felt insufficient with my climbing skills. Other times we were going through very wet rainforests, where one could very easily slip. You just had to be careful in these situations.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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