Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Greatest 5 Months of My Life Past Review

By (University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 02/15/2014 to 06/29/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about so many different kinds of people from all over the world. I also learned to put myself out there and do things, even if they scare me. This was the most worthwhile experience of my life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Interesting classes, great professors, able to meet local students

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very helpful and organized. Provided lots of support.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Beautiful housing, 2 minute walk to the beach

* Food:

Tons of delicious restaurants in the Gold Coast area. Supermarkets in walking distance.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Very. TEAN encouraged us to integrate with the culture. They provided free cultural events. The housing was in a part of the Gold Coast that made meeting locals very easy.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had knee surgery in while studying abroad in the Gold Coast. The hospital was very easy to get to for my follow up visits since it was right on campus. I was treated very well during my 5 night stay.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe, even at night.

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)

The cost of living in the Gold Coast was much lower than other areas of Australia.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget how much money you will spend each month.

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

  • 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?
  • The People
  • The Location
  • The never ending supply of things to do.
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing, TEAN provided me with all the information I needed beforehand. And the rest I learned along the way.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.