Best Experience Ever! Past Review
By Brandon Brazao (University of New Hampshire) - abroad from 02/16/2020 to 03/23/2020 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Griffith University
I was able to learn all about an entirely different culture. One of my Australian mates took me home to stay with his family for the weekend and they were able to show me a true Australian experience and show me their way of life. This trip was honestly one of the greatest of my life where I was able to get a first-hand look into normal Australian life.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I was able to meet one of my favorite professors I've ever had. My professors came from all backgrounds and were able to apply their classes to my program from UNH. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The host administration was super helpful when it came to any question. I had to deal with health professionals while abroad for my shoulder and my advisor in Australia was very helpful. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Peppers on Broadbeach, a spot that is only offered by TEAN. This was one of the most beautiful places to live just by the amazing location of the building where it was right on the beach. The only downside to where I lived was the commute to class every week. This was one of the most beautiful places to ever live. |
| * Food: |
The local cuisine was great and only a little bit different compared to back home here in America. There was influence from other cultures as well which was great since I was able to try so much new food. There were some differences in the franchises and chains but that was a cool thing to discover. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Australian culture was one of the main parts that drew me to go to Australia in the first place. I was able to meet new friends from all over the world and it was great to meet some locals that were great connections to have in their homeland. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The health care was very easy to deal with and the overall use of overseas healthcare was very helpful. I had a shoulder injury that required surgery about a week before I flew out and they were able to help me with my post-operation needs. TEAN had also helped a ton during this time and some of the advisors would check in with me to make sure I was doing alright. |
| * Safety: |
I believe that the Gold Coast was a very safe city even though I believe that the entire country is comparably safer than most countries. For myself, I felt very safe compared to other countries that I have traveled to. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
TEAN is an amazing study abroad company that really cares for its students and offers some of the best experiences out of other companies. |
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) |
I personally spent around $300 per week. I had saved for about a year before I had left. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you go out to clubs or restaurants, go during the week on days that they have deals. Most places offer these deals in surfers paradise and burleigh heads. |
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? | I wish I knew Covid was going to be a thing because I would have travelled even more. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
