No Worries Mate, Just Go! Past Review
By Zach W (Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky) - abroad from 02/16/2015 to 06/30/2015 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Sydney - University of New South Wales
Oooooohhhh yeahhhhh it was worthwhile. It cost me a fair amount but it was totally worth every single 5 cent piece (Australia doesn't have pennies). Studying abroad will literally be the best time of your life so just do it! I really learned how to experience and appreciate other cultures and other people. I learned how to handle whatever was thrown at me, and believe me there will be a lot of crazy circumstances you will go through while abroad. I learned that everything will be alright in the end no matter how bad things may seem. I learned how to constantly live out of my comfort zone and I loved it. Most importantly, I learned how to be an Aussie!
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. |
School is easier in Australia and most universities only require you to just pass the course to receive credit for it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Tean hooks you up pretty well. There's not a bad place to live but Bondi junction is more expensive but a ton more convenient. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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) |
Australia is very expensive. You better be prepared for it. Their minimum wage there is about $20/hr so everything in increased in price from what you're used to. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200-$300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't go out to eat all of the time, buy groceries from the store and find the local deals in town. It can definitely add up. |
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? | It's not necessarily a bad thing but there are a fair amount of Asians in the major cities of Australia. I wasn't expecting it but it makes since the two continents are so close to one another. |
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.' |
