Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Experience of My Life in Newcastle, AU! Past Review

By (Sociology, University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass) - abroad from 02/11/2015 to 06/16/2015 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Newcastle - University of Newcastle

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself. It was the first time I was entirely on my own ever, and that initial isolation from close family & friends was terrifying. But because of that, I became a stronger person and my values & belief in myself is more solid than it ever has been. I love the person I became after study abroad!

Review Photos

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Newcastle - University of Newcastle Photo The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Newcastle - University of Newcastle Photo The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Newcastle - University of Newcastle Photo The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Newcastle - University of Newcastle Photo The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Newcastle - University of Newcastle 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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Between $35-50/week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Start saving as soon as you make the decision to go to Australia! The more money you have saved up before you go, the better.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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 University-- It was challenging but not overwhelming, and I learned a lot about Australian culture.
  • The TEAN staff-- They were incredibly helpful throughout the entire process and made it a lot less stressful than I imagined it to be!
  • The Sydney orientation-- Being able to spend a week in Sydney before going to our living arrangements in Newcastle was a blast and helped us get acquainted with each other and the country. Plus, we were able to do things like climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which we may not have been able to do otherwise! The orientation was definitely one of the best parts of the entire experience.
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing! I have no complaints about the program!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I had been on the fence about studying abroad for a year, but if I knew how incredible of an experience it was going to be, I would have done it earlier!

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'