Brisbane, Australia: Home Away from Home Past Review

By Christina G (PSYCHOLOGY., Colby-Sawyer College) for

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Brisbane - University of Queensland

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

Study Abroad was the best experience of my life. Like I said, I'm applying to do my Master's at UQ because I enjoyed the area that much. I am planning to study law there and live there for a few years after. Brisbane felt like home.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The workload was lighter for me in Australia than in the States. I think this difference was due to the fact that at home, I go to a college with 1,000 students and in Australia I went to a University with around 40,000. The teaching methods were pretty similar. The teachers had powerpoints for class and would answer students questions. The only major difference in going to a school that large was that you were a number, so in order to get extra help, you would have to go a little bit out of your way to get in touch with them. I really loved the way the classes were run, though. Each course I took was very interesting.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Since TEAN prepared me before I arrived in Australia, I had no issues with the educational system when I arrived.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I absolutely loved where I lived. I was a ten minute walk from University of Queensland and a fifteen minute bus ride into the city. It was absolutely perfect for someone like me who has not lived in a city. I was able to get away from the city, but still not miss out on anything I wanted to do.
* Food:	There was no meal plan included so I cooked for myself.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Going into the city, I was able to socialize with tons of new people. Going out abroad was honestly the most fun I have ever had in my life. As a foreigner you are interested in what everyone else is doing and everyone else is interested in you.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	As a study abroad student, we were given overseas healthcare insurance. Australia was a very safe country. In the States I live in New Hampshire, which is a pretty small state and not too many crimes occur. However, in Brisbane, a major city of Australia, I felt even safer. Everyone is much more trustworthy and genuinely nice.
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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	TEAN really prepared me for Australia. I felt completely comfortable going abroad. I enjoyed it so much so that I am applying for my Master's Degree through TEAN for February 2013.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Marine Environment
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Comments:	I really enjoyed this course because we were able to take what we learned in class and apply it on the field trips. Our major field trip was to the Great Barrier Reef. In addition to completing a project there, we were able to snorkel and scuba dive on our own time. The teachers and tutors were very enthusiastic about us seeing as much as we could while on the trip.
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