Living in Wanderlust Down Unda Past Review
By Emma S (Kinesiology and Exercise Science., Augsburg College) - abroad from 08/22/2013 to 12/15/2013 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Bond University
Going to Australia and living half way across the world taught me to open my eyes and mind to the endless possibilities that the world has to offer. I shared countless experiences of laughter and excitement with friends from all over the world. The lessons I learned in my 4 month period abroad taught me more than any text book could ever offer. If I could go back I would in a heart beat.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
While attending Bond University I was enrolled in 3 courses. I am an Exercise science major and 2 courses were for towards that and 1 was an elective. All of my classes were extremely manageable and still gave me plenty of time to spend time with my new friends and to travel. The best part about Bond is that most courses are only one or two days a week so my class schedule was only Tuesday, Wednesday and some Thursdays! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Bond University is predominantly international students so there is support and resources from anything to academic support to the on campus travel agency. All of my professors were extremely talented in their area of expertise and also very understanding of the international students. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I could not be more happy with my decision to live on campus while studying at Bond. I had the best of both worlds while meeting and being so involved in the student life on campus, but still having my close friends in the TEAN program that lived a short bus ride away on the beach. |
| * Food: |
Because I lived on campus I was required to have a student meal plan. Not having to plan out meals and make grocery trips saved me a lot of time and money. Almost any kind of food is offered on campus because of the multiple cafe options. I highly recommend the Bra's, as the Aussies would say, "Breaky." |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The greatest part about Bond University and the Gold Coast is that you have the opportunity to meet not only Australians, but people from all over the world. By the end of my seamster I had built close friendships with people from London, German, Canada and even South Africa! The local culture was on a broad spectrum from the chill surf life to the wild club night life. It was up the individual what you wanted to experience the most! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I personally never struggled with any health issues, but I had a close friend that developed a serious infection. Our TEAN leader was a short phone call away and was able to help us to the closest clinic in surfers paradise. The clinic was very similar to that of one in the United States. Extremely affordable as well because of our health benefits at Bond and through TEAN. |
| * Safety: |
Safety never crossed my mind while I was traveling in Australia. From my experience and of those I knew it is an extremely safe country, especially around Bond. |
| 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) |
Australia in comparison to the United States is fairly expensive. Living on campus helped me budget my money very well since I was not living downtown and was on a meal plan. Save as much money to travel while you are there. Even short weekend trips will make your experience that much greater. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | a minimum of 100/ week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not spend money prior to coming on expenses that you could be spending in Australia. Things such as coffee, drinks, going out to eat and shopping is all available abroad and trust me, you will want to spend it abroad much more than you will in your home town. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Save more money than I had planned on because of the amount of travel I did outside of the Gold Coast. |
