Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Past Review

By (Psychobiology, SUNY - Binghamton) for

SUNY Binghamton: Perth - Exchange & Study Abroad Program at Murdoch University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes it was

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: n/a
The term and year this program took place: Spring 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I really appreciated the hands on experience I recieved in each course I took. It was shocking at first, I admit I was even a little nervous but, it turned out great. I surprised myself and feel I have come back with more than anyone at Binghamton could get at an undergraduate level.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Orientation was week long. It adress everything and if questions were unanswered there were always someone to help you. One thing I truly admired the program for was their attentive nature. My emails were always answered immediately and more help was provided beyond my asking.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I rented a house off campus where I had 3-4 housemates. <br /><br /> I lived in the better Part of Carlisle, Western AUstralia. It was about 25 minutes (by bus) to the city, which I went to everyday. There is a mall about 10-15 away by bus. Public transportation is so easy and accomodates students as does everything there is to do in Perth does.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Oh boy. Austarlis is expensive. It may not seem so for residents and locals but it was for me and others studying abroad at Murdoch. The US dollar steadily decreased and I would end up buying things there triple the amount I would here in New York. I kept myself on a budget when it came to groceries. I would say about 40 dollars everytime I went to pick up a few things and about 100-150 dollars for a big grocery list. Public transportation easily accomodates students so depending on your distance you can pay as little at 77 cents for a trip downtown to 2.70.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I wasnn't surprised by anything I had to buy it was more of the rates. SO if I could give advice it would be to pay attention the rates, they are not permanent and the allowance that may have been sufficient can decrease

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be ready to write. I feel Murdoch is more direct when it comes to uni and career. Students seemed more advanced, which can be expected with the the coursework that is expected from them. I found that most would become environment scientist once their 4 years of uni were through and ompleted everything. I have seen somethings that I didn't expect a student to experience until they decided to do research or grad school. Study is very independent there as well. A lot of us think that in Binghamton, professors don't hold our hands you have seen nothing like Murdoch. Of course you ask for help and recieve it but your pretty much on your own. You have a lot of free time and its easy to lose track of your priorities. So be prepared to put in the work.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Philosophy
Course Department: PHL 130
Instructor: Dr. Peta Bowden
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I truly enjoyed this course. It makes you think about situations we have never taken time out to truly think why we take that particular position in the matter. The writing standard expected of you may exceed what your use to at Binghamton; this will impact your grades.
Credit Transfer Issues: Get it done before you leave. If you are given the opportunity and have the resources to try to this course to count for a gen ed or major electives do it before hand; the run around is ridiculous.
Course Name/Rating:

Ecology
Course Department: ENV 268
Instructor: Philip Ladd
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Loved the hands on and I mean hands on. I am a senior at Binghamton University and never have I seen labs like these. The researchas are the papers expected of you are official business.
Credit Transfer Issues: As I said before get it done!!!!
Course Name/Rating:

Australian Coastal Environments
Course Department: ENV 208
Instructor: Eric Paling
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great course. Very interesting and the las are independent but fun. My only problem was the fact that the exams like most of the courses at Murdoch were more than half of my final grade. That's 60 percent based on one exam given at the end of a semester based on all the work you've ever done. Not fair.
Credit Transfer Issues: Yes, procrastination is never good.