Amazing Land of Oz! Past Review
By Nicole R (Sociology., University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 07/15/2013 to 11/30/2013 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Newcastle - University of Newcastle
I can't imagine not having this experience. The people I met, the worlds I lived in have helped shape my identity and goals.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academics for me were pretty similar with that of my home university. Everyone is very understanding and helpful with international students. I gained a lot of new knowledge and saw a very different side of opinions surrounding my major. It was the perfect amount of workload to learn but to really be able to engage in travel, exploration and culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
T.E.A.N administrators were awesome at setting us up and getting us comfortable in our new homes but also encouraged and allowed us the independence I was looking for while exploring a brand new country. They were also always close by if they were needed and did a great job at supplying information and advice. I could really tell that they had my best interest at heart and helped served to make my experience an amazing one! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I got to live with about 30 others, the majority of which were australians! Many other students I have talked to who were studying abroad didn't get the same opportunity. It also set me up right away with a lot of Aussie friends who showed me the ropes. The house was located close to the beach, train and next to town so it made everything I wanted to do accessible. |
| * Food: |
The food wasn't the highlight of my time in Australia because its similar to our food, but that didn't keep me from trying EVERYTHING. T.E.A.N not only taught us during orientation what Aussie cuisine was but provided these meals for us throughout my study abroad. On my first night I was already trying kangaroo! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
T.E.A.N gave me the resources to get a job, gave me a house full of mates and set me up in the most Australian town there is! It was impossible to not feel like I was part of the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My host university and T.E.A.N made receiving and using healthcare simple and easy. The coverage is great because they have a more universal system there. The student health center at University of Newcastle was easy to get to as well-being right on campus. However, don't expect to get an appointment on the same day or even the next when you call. With universal healthcare comes long lines that I wasn't use to. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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 just more expensive because they have a higher standard of living. At first I was a little worried about it, but getting a job is pretty simple if you want one, and if not you learn quickly about saving and where to get cheap deals on flights, food and transportation. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | -Don't eat out every night, I learned how to really cook for myself and it saved me a lot -Don't waste all your money on drinks out -Save extra money for traveling rather than clothes -The beaches are FREE, and they are the most beautiful places you'll ever see |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That I'd never want to leave once I got there, and that the homesickness only lasts as long as a pack of Tim Tams (amazingly awesome cookies). |
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. |
