Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Summer of a lifetime! Past Review

By (Florida Gulf Coast University) - abroad from 06/20/2019 to 07/14/2019 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Contemporary Issues in Community and Public Health

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about the Aboriginal culture and the healthcare system in Australia. It definitely made my trip worthwhile along with learning so much about myself that I never expected.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The living arrangements were very doable, but it was a little surprising that we didn't have heat during the entire trip and it was winter in Australia.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

TEAN and our professor did a great job immersing us into the culture throughout the entire trip.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There were not any prevalent health issues in Australia and I did not need any vaccines specifically for this program.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe while in Australia, even when walking the streets in the dark.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would choose the program again 9 times out of 10. I loved everything about my program - especially my new friends. The only thing I did not like was the length of it - it was too short!

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)

The food was expensive and I found myself looking for restaurant deals and at the grocery store for snacks for in between meals to save money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Friends
  • Activities
  • Hands-on class approach ("field trips")
* What could be improved?
  • Obtaining the itinerary promptly
  • Communication pre-departure
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew exactly how cold it could get in the Australian winter - one sweater = not enough. I also wish I knew how great the people were on the trip. None of us wanted to be the first to reach out, but we all became the greatest of friends and I wish we could have started our friendship earlier.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The 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.