Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

TEAN in Sydney = best semester ever!! Past Review

By (University of Maryland - College Park) - abroad from 02/14/2018 to 06/26/2018 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Sydney - University of New South Wales

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained independence, learned so much about myself and got the opportunity to explore so many new, exciting and beautiful places! It was definitely worthwhile! A semester I'll remember for a lifetime!

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.

The classes were engaging, taught by knowledgable professors, had a reasonable number of assignments and graded fairly!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The Sydney staff for TEAN was amazing! They were incredibly friendly and helpful. The activities they planned added so much value to my time abroad and I am so thankful for their support throughout the semester.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my housing. I lived right on the beach! The apartment comfortably accommodated me and all my roommates and had a great location. The UNSW was easily reached on foot or by bus, necessary amenities like groceries were a short walk away and there were many convenient bus stops right outside the apartment for getting to downtown Sydney.

* Food:

I cooked for myself in my apartment throughout the semester. Grocery stores were very close to my apartment and it was very possible to shop healthfully on a budget. When I wasn't in the mood to cook, Sydney had infinite delicious food options! I never had a bad meal!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The Australians are amazing people! So open, friendly and funny! Every interaction I had with the locals was positive and left me smiling.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The international health care I was provided with was all I needed for my semester abroad. It was very easy to make an appointment at the UNSW health center when I needed one and the doctor who saw me was very friendly and professional. In general, prescription prices in Australia are lower than in America (with and without insurance coverage). I did not need any vaccines prior to visiting Australia.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe in Sydney. Of course, I followed basic rules for staying safe like avoiding walking around alone at night but I have to say when I went out late with friends, I never worried about our safety and security in the city.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I absolutely loved living on the beach in Sydney and attending UNSW. I am especially glad I went abroad with TEAN! Their programs added so much value to my semester and I made so many memories during the TEAN orientation, their organized New Zealand trip and during their city-based activities throughout the semester. If you have the opportunity to go abroad with TEAN, I highly recommend you do!

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 chose to spend a lot of money on trips and experiences so that limited my daily spending, especially towards the end of my time abroad.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try your very best to work a lot and save up before you leave! If you can, get a job while abroad. Plan a budget but also leave room for fun trips and experiences if possible!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Location
  • TEAN programs
* What could be improved?
  • Cost of living
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much the cost of living would be

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 Urbanite
A 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.