There is a lot of guidance, and the housing is phenomenal Past Review

By Sarah W (Management/Marketing, Drake University) for

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Sydney - University of Notre Dame Sydney

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Of course my experience was worthwhile. I had the time of my life and have now reassessed my plans after college, which now include moving to Sydney for a year. I learned more about myself and how to be on my own, as well as how to adapt to new surroundings.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here:	Notre Dame University-Broadway Campus
The term and year this program took place:	Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	It was not very different than academics in the States, there were harder classes and easier classes.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Study Australia was very timely with all of their responses, and all of the staff I came into contact with was helpful and friendly.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	It was an apartment with a total of six girls, in a building that was basically a nice hotel. We had laundry in suite as well as a pool, tennis court, sauna, and workout room. It was located right above a train station and bus depot, as well as halfway between the middle of Sydney and Bondi Beach. Excellent! <br /><br /> See housing section. Everything was new and great location.
* Food:	We were right near the biggest mall in Sydney so there were lots of food options. I have celiacs disease and it was super easy to find food for my restrictive diet.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Study Australia offers a pre-semester trip and occasionally a spring break trip. The pre-semester trip helped me get close to a few people that ended up living in my building, and just get used to being in a different country. I didn't just get there in time for school to start, I had two weeks to relax and enjoy the city.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	The health care system in Australia is WAY better than in the States. I went to the ER, and ended up getting all my money back, not to mention I was seen by a doctor not five minutes after arriving in the ER. Study Australia and my Uni there set up my health care so it was easy for me. The city itself is pretty safe- I never had any problems, nor did I ever feel unsafe.
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)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	The cost of living in Sydney as a student is pretty high, because everything is more expensive. However, workers are also paid more. Had I a job, I wouldn't have noticed or cared how high the cost of everything, but living as a student it was a little constricting.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Don't consider- just do it! Study Australia is a young program that helps you whenever you need it, and makes sure you have the best time possible.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Children's Literature
Course Department:	EL300
Instructor:	Deborah Pike
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The lecturer ran through her slides too fast for anyone to understand her.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Managerial Accounting
Course Department:	BS211
Instructor:	Neelam Goela
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The instructor had a very heavy Indian accent so it was hard to understand her, and she went pretty fast with the topics, usually letting the class go an hour early.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Even though your home university may need just a Pass to get credit for your classes, make sure you pass!

Course Name/Rating:	International Business
Course Department:	BS301
Instructor:	Mark Hornshaw
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This was a really fun course- relevant to the here and now and dealt with concepts everyone should know about. Mark was extremely knowledgeable, and had started a few of his own companies so was perfect for the course. I participated more than I would have at Drake, simply because the professor asked my input a lot because I was one of two Americans in the class and wanted to know the situation on certain issues in the States.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Australian History
Course Department:	HY1001
Instructor:	Peter Dean
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The course to me was very interesting, boring to the Australians because they have learned this ever since primary school. The concepts were covered thoroughly and timely, and the tutorials were kept interesting with discussion. I did participate in this class more so than I would have here because once again I was one of two Americans in the class.
Credit Transfer Issues: