Best 5 Months of My Life! Past Review
By Michaela K (Communications, University of Tampa) - abroad from 02/10/2015 to 06/28/2015 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Griffith University
Anything and everything. This was the best decision I have ever made in my life. The most life altering experience I have ever had. I learned so much about independence and travel. I decided to go abroad not knowing a single soul and it made the experience even more exciting. I made lifelong friends, saw a different perspective of the world living in a different environment, became more humble, opened up my mind and heart to an incredible country with amazing people, and expanded my independence drastically. I pushed my limits and did things I would never think I'd ever do. I found myself. More than anything, I learned so much about myself and what I want in my life. It was worth every penny and minute of my time. I wish I could have stayed another semester!
Review Photos
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. |
Most of my classes were really interesting and pretty manageable for an abroad student! The work never held me back from traveling and adventuring throughout my time abroad. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Amazing program. Couldn't have been happier to have worked with TEAN my entire experience abroad. I can't think of one flaw they had honestly. Extremely helpful, great staff, and they guide you through the entire semester. I felt like I could always go to any of the staff if I had any questions about anything. The excursions and orientation were amazing as well. Wish I could just do it all over again! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
INCREDIBLE housing. Very satisfied. The housing for Gold Coast was luxury, living in a hotel with a view of the beach a block away. Never even stayed in a hotel that nice in my life and I got to live in it for a whole semester! Great location with the tram/bus station right next to the building, and the beach just a block away. The mall is also right across the street. Very safe area as well. Highly recommend it!! |
| * Food: |
Food was good! Many different food options nearby Broadbeach for variation. Also, grocery stores were located very close by so it was easy to pick up anything necessary. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like I fit in very well, I was very comfortable in the location we were in. Anyone who enjoys the beach will feel integrated in Broadbeach/Gold Coast in general! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Program was very helpful. They sent me the information right away once I reached out about getting my money back for the doctor bill for the one visit I had. It was definitely different than what I'm used to being at home and just showing up at the doctor and being insured, however, it wasn't difficult to get it taken care of. |
| * Safety: |
In Gold Coast I never at any point felt unsafe. It's a very family friendly city/area. |
| 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) |
Australia is a bit more expensive than the states anyway, so I was expecting to be spending more. However, It wasn't too bad at all. I managed pretty well and would only buy groceries every 2 weeks. It definitely isn't impossible at all to manage your money, it depends on the person. You just need to prioritise what's most important to you, to spend your money on when you are abroad. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Definitely save up as MUCH as you can before you go abroad. You are not going to want to hold back during a once in a lifetime experience like this. You are going to want to be able to buy lots of little things and travel as much as possible. Also, trying to get a job while you are abroad is a great idea as well so you can continue to keep up with money while your there and also get implemented into the culture more! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The best part about this experience for me was jumping into a very unknown experience. I had no idea what I was getting myself into and that made the semester so exciting for me. Therefore, there isn't anything I wish I had known, other then, get ready for the best experience of your living existence so far! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA 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. |
