Best Days of My Life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Studying at Griffith, I was definitely able to expand my educational horizons. The expectations overseas are different from American standards; they are challenging mostly because they are different - different but not impossible. I gained not only an Australian perspective on issues, but also British, Turkish, Canadian, Swedish, etc. perspectives since Griffith is bursting with diversity and culture. My favorite resource, other than the lectures being filmed and therefore accessible online, was the library. There were so many different sections to suit your needs: a help desk, a study (extremely quiet) zone, a place where you could discuss group projects, computer lab, and even a video game section! I loved my time at Griffith - it was too short.

On-site administration of your program

As an independent individual, I greatly appreciated TEAN's administration: there when we needed them, otherwise, we were on our own, making our own study abroad experience.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I still cannot believe that I, as a college student, lived in such an elegant apartment two blocks from the Pacific Ocean. It will probably be the nicest place I'll have ever lived.

While abroad, I was exposed to an array of international cuisines, specifically at the Miami Marketta, which was nothing short of outstanding. Also, even though I deeply missed my Mexican food, I found a new love, kebabs, which are everywhere along the Gold Coast.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

From taking the bus every day to uni to meeting locals in class and school clubs, from just wandering around and simply asking questions, I definitely felt integrated into the Australian culture.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

From my own experience, healthcare was easily accessible. There was always the doctor on campus or even the pharmacists that worked across the way from our apartments. It was different, but I very much enjoyed that we could go to the pharmacist before the doctor, and that they would recommend medication. It saved us a trip, which I liked.

I felt more safe at the Gold Coast than I did in America. That is not to say that I let my guard down, rather I was simply able to relax it, for in order to be safe, one must be socially aware. Of course I, as a woman, would not feel safe roaming around by myself late at night - but that usually goes without saying. So, as long as you stay in a group when it gets to be pretty late, remember to look both ways before crossing the street, and you abide by the flags on the beach, you should be GOLDen.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Location - gorgeous hometown located in the heart of the east coast, making both the north (i.e. Cairns) and the south (Melbourne) not too far
• TEAN led trips - Sydney Orientation and Thailand Spring Break Trip
• Freedom, yet the reassurance that you were being looked after

• Nothing that I can think of.

The Avid Adventurer