Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best 4 months of my life! Past Review

By (Communication and Media Studies, University of Iowa) - abroad from 01/06/2015 to 04/30/2015 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile. Between the friendships i gained, to being on my own away from my family for 4 months to experiencing the amazing places Australia had to offer, I would go back 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.

* 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/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Stay in hostels while traveling, take advantage of restaurant/bar deals and weekly specials, plan trips early on or through the campus travel agent to get the cheapest possible rate.

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
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?
  • Location
  • Helpful staff
  • Organized activities, excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Roommate selection/matching
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Knowing to plan all my trips as my time went on instead of planning them all at the beginning. Friendships change, your ideas change and you get trip ideas that you may not have had early on. Personally, I wish I would have made time for one or two more trips in place of a couple that I took.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.