No Worries Past Review
By Joshua L (University of Rhode Island) - abroad from 02/21/2012 to 06/28/2012 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Sydney - Macquarie University
I learned so much about the countries of both Australia and Thailand while studying through TEAN. But overall i learned so much about myself, what makes me truly happy, and the strength of my own independence.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes abroad can be difficult but like any University if you ask for help and do the work, you will pass! You just have to focus and not view the experience as just a party. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Education Abroad Network does everything that they possibly can to make the experience one of a kind. From the beginning until the end TEAN will always be there to help and guide student through every step, from picking classes all the way to the travel home. Advisors are always available to help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing is beautiful through TEAN, no matter where it is that you stay you will absolutely love the accommodations that TEAN puts together. I do recommend that if Macquarie University is your choice school, living on campus would be the most efficient and compatible housing for you. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Throughout the first week abroad there were obviously a few informative sessions, which I can genuinely say were filled with the most useful information towards living in Australia. However contrary to many other programs the TEAN orientation is packed with comfort and class. While staying at one of the tallest and most lavish hotels in the heart of Sydney, the week is also filled with daily events such as climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge, visiting Fetherdale Wildlife Park, the Bondi to Coogee Beach walk, and ending the week with an elegant harbor cruise through the waters of Sydney’s Circular Quay. This first week abroad sets the tone for a semester of dreams, taken from the life a college student to the life of luxury. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
The country can be expensive but finding a job is not to difficult. If you budget well then you will be fine. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 100$ a week give or take 30$-40$ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Manage money wisely don't buy needless things right away let yourself get comfortable first and go from there. |
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? | 10+ |
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? | The only thing that I wish I had known was how expensive the country itself is compared to the United States, but that is just a result of poor prior research on my own part. |
