Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Once in a Lifetime Opportunity! Past Review

By (University of Tampa) - abroad from 08/25/2013 to 12/15/2013 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Bond University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
There's so much to learn about yourself and the world living in another country. You learn how to use public transportation to get around and travel, you learn to cook and enjoy different foods, you get a new appreciation of different cultures by meeting new people and so much more. My program directors went out of their way to make sure that everyone accomplished everything they wanted to and more while abroad. I had the time of my life traveling all over Australia doing things that I will never forget like holding koalas, skydiving, scuba diving, kissing kangaroos, hiking, surfing and of course enjoying the nightlife. I definitely want to go back one day soon!

Review Photos

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Bond University Photo

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get a Bank of America account at home because their sister company in Australia is called Westpac (it's everywhere) and you can get money out of the ATM a certain amount of times per month for free!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • This is the only program that gives you the option of beautiful beach housing in Broadbeach. It was amazing!
  • The program directors were so nice and helpful and always available to help you.
* What could be improved?
  • There really wasn't anything that needed to be improved!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew to get a Bank of America account, which has a sister bank in Australia called Westpac (where you can get money out of the ATM a few times a month for free) because I ended up spending a lot of money on ATM fees.