When Can I Go Back? Past Review
By Wendy L (Ocean Engineering, University of Rhode Island) - abroad from 02/12/2013 to 06/23/2013 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Griffith University
My experience abroad was AMAZING, I grew so much as a person . The friends I made while abroad I will remember and keep with me forever. I learned how to travel on a budget and simply take care of myself. What this world has to offer is endless and TEAN helped me to realize I can accomplish so much in this grand adventure we call life, I can't wait to return to the Gold Coast!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
With very little assignments, courses allowed for travel. My professors were all so nice and many were interested in the United States. My favorite course by far was The History of Australia with Dr. Mike Davis, take it! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Helen was the program manger for TEAN in the Gold Coast and she was AMAZING! If I were to need anything I could always count on her, she became our Australian mother in a sense. She kept us up to date on local activities and fun things that were going on throughout our visit and was always interested in hearing about our travels! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Two blocks from the beach and house keeping every week, what more could you ask for! The Meriton in Broadbeach was great; the staff was always friendly and understandable and our rooms were outstanding. |
| * Food: |
Living in Broadbeach provided me with the proximity of any type of restaurant in addition the food store was less than a 5 minute walk. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Adjusting to my new lifestyle was easy. The proximity to Surfers Paradise allowed for nights out, in addition all of my mates would love coming to our place to hang out during the day. There was never a dull moment and always someplace new to check out! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
During my stay I was sick once and going to see Health Services at Griffith was so easy! I called, made an appointment, and I was in and out of there in no time. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe or uncomfortable while on the Gold Coast. The local police were always out making sure nothing got too rowdy and the Meriton had 24 hour security. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
I was able to maintain a budget of about $100 per week. This money went to my food, transportation, and all of my travels! Although the prices were higher than what I was used to at home cutting back was easy, especially with the desire of traveling. |
| 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? | Make food at home, its much cheaper than eating out. You will want all the money you can have for traveling. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I had though TEAN was just like any other study abroad program, but in reality TEAN really provides to each students individual needs. TEAN puts in so much effort to make this experience perfect for you! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
