Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Semester of Splurging Worth Every Penny! Past Review

By (University of Cincinnati) - abroad from 01/02/2018 to 04/25/2018 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about myself 10,000 miles away on my own, in a brand new place than I ever thought I would. Every day was a new adventure with a new lesson attached to it! I came home with a completely new perspective on life because of the adventures I had, the people I met, and the culture I immersed myself in.

Review Photos

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

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Bond University's campus was beautiful! There were so many places to sit outside in the sunshine and do homework or just relax in between classes! The classes were flexible too so I was able to have long weekends to travel!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

TEAN does an amazing job with their in country staff to help you 24/7 with any problems or questions you have!! You never feel alone because there's always someone you can contact in your host city!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

TEAN's beach housing was phenomenal! I 10/10 recommend it to anyone that has the money to splurge on it! Living right on the beach for the semester was worth the price tag that came with it!! The sunrise/sunset views are your Instagram goals!

* Food:

ALWAYS TRY THE TIM TAMS

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Gold Coast will always be my second home now! Plus I was there when the Common Wealth 2018 games were happening so it was neat to experience being a "local" for that!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I travelled to Bali for Spring Break and ended up coming back with Dengue Fever (yikes!!) but I luckily didn't feel the symptoms until I was back in Australia so I went to the clinic on Bond University's campus and did not have to pay anything! The insurance you pay for through TEAN was well worth the money!

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe walking around my apartment, the city, or commuting to campus.

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

If I could do it all over again I would still choose TEAN! Their customer service and in country support set my never-been-abroad-before self at ease thought the pre-departure paperwork all the way through to the end of my semester abroad!

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 general is very expensive since their minimum wage is ~$20AUD/hr but I definitely was in "treat yo self" mode the whole time. It's possible to save and not spend a ton but eating out is costly!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? -Eating out is expensive so try saving money by buying groceries! -Coles over Woolies any day!! -Take advantage of all the free/cheap activities going on around you!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • 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?
  • in-country support
  • basically everything is included in semester price
  • cultural activities TEAN planned throughout the semester
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
  • N/A
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how nice the off campus housing option was because it is just as nice as the beach front housing option but SO MUCH cheaper!! Its a great option to save some money for traveling but not have to stay on campus in the dorms!