The People I Met Along the Way Past Review

By (University of Hartford) - abroad from 08/31/2018 to 12/15/2018 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained independence more than anything else. And I learned how to communicate more effectively. Most my good friends and I on the trip rubbed off on each other and now I think I'm a better person because of them.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Grading and exams were much more difficult than in the US, however, the professors were more hands-on and passionate about their teaching.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

So helpful and friendly, helped with anything we needed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Although where I lived was in a beautiful three bedroom apartment, it was never cleaned from previous tenants and we had to move into a musty and dirty apartment that was never properly cleaned by staff.

* Food:

Delicious!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Within the school and program, not much because most people I was surrounded by were Americans. However, leaving campus and going other places I was able to dive into the culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had any experience with healthcare, but when we arrived in Australia it was immediately set up and we were shown what to do if we needed it. Very helpful.

* Safety:

Very safe, never ran into any problems.

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

The program brought me to some amazing people spread all over the US that I know will be my life long friends. In our program was also a boy named William from a neighboring state and we've been together since.

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)

It's very hard to go abroad without either a parent's card on hand or some amount of money you're receiving whether it be a job or folks at home. I suggest going abroad with $5,000 spending minimum to live comfortably.

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? Just go with a lot of money so you don't have to worry about it when you're there.

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

  • 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?
  • How hands on they were
  • All the activities they planned for us
  • Very friendly and outgoing employees
* What could be improved?
  • They could stay in touch more throughout the semester
  • They could have younger Australians integrated somehow
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I went with way more money.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.