Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Life Made of Gold: Life on the Gold Coast Past Review

By (University of Kentucky) - abroad from 07/12/2016 to 11/20/2016 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
If I could sum all of Australia up in one word, it would be unforgettable. Everything we did there, from scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef with TEAN, to going on adventures in the rainforest, to sunset dinner cruises and everything in between, it was all unforgettable. The friends I met and the lessons I learned are ones I won't soon be forgetting and I would do it all over in a heartbeat. TEAN helped give me some of the best months of my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Review Photos

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

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.

Griffith University made so many resources available for help and all of my teachers were really good about breaking down what we needed to do, creating an environment for success.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

TEAN housed us in a five-star hotel for basically the same cost as on campus student housing. It made for an unforgettable time and greatly added to my overall experience.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Although healthcare wasn't as accessible as it is in America, it was still straightforward and I never encountered any issues regarding standard of care.

* Safety:

As far as large cities go, the Gold Coast is extremely safe, and I never encountered any issues.

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

As a program, TEAN made sure everything was taken care of. They took our opinions into consideration when planning things and made sure to prepare us for what we would experience. From the moment I landed to the moment I left for home, they were there every step of the way making sure everything went smoothly and that we knew they were there if we ever needed help with anything, whether that be asking for restaurant recommendations or figuring out how to achieve our goals.

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)

Although it makes for an unforgettable experience, Australia has a higher cost of living than a lot of countries. However, with careful budgeting and saving before hand, it is entirely possible to do this on a budget!!

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? Start saving early!! Although it may seem far off, your time abroad will come before you know it and you'll be so thankful for the extra money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* 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?
  • Location
  • Excursions planned for us/Friendliness of TEAN staff
  • University
* What could be improved?
  • nothing!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how much I was going to do, because it was an unreal amount of unique experiences.

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.