Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

When Can I go Back? Past Review

By (Communications, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor) - abroad from 08/22/2014 to 12/12/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad with TEAN has given me an experience that nothing can compare to. I spent a week in Fiji, a place where I would not have had the opportunity to travel to had I not participated in TEAN, and then lived in Australia for four months playing on the beach and eating wedges with sour cream and sweet chili sauce. Nothing could have been more perfect.

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.

Classes were very fair. If you were present and participated in class, you did well in the course.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Both the employees through TEAN and at Bond University were amazing!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed at The Cape, which was a two minute walk to campus and a two minute walk down to Market Square which hosted various restaurants.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We were very immersed in the culture. The students we went to school with were locals, as were our apartment neighbors. It was easy to transition into an Aussie-lifestyle- just kick off your shoes and enjoy the weather!

* 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)

Each restaurant has their own vibes to offer, so it was hard to say no to trying every place! If you spend your money wisely on groceries, budgeting would be easy; however, I could not resist frequently visiting restaurants.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* 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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I liked that TEAN provided a pre-excursion trip to Fiji. This experience was so unique compared to other programs. How many people can say they have traveled to Fjii.
  • I loved all of the activities that went into our orientation in Sydney. TEAN made it so easy for us by planning all of the activities that people go to Sydney to do. This included climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge, going a night cruise, and staying at a castle where the Great Gatsby was shot!
* What could be improved?
  • There is absolutely nothing that TEAN could have done to have bettered my experience.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I was well informed of everything I needed to know prior to my study abroad experience.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
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.