A Trip of a Lifetime!! Past Review
By Megan K (Marketing, Texas A&M - Baylor College of Dentistry) for
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Sydney - University of Sydney
Even though the cultures may seem similar, they are different in many ways. It was not uncommon to see someone with a surfboard and barefoot walking through the city. I learned how vibrant the Australian culture can be and how carefree and relaxed it is. It was so stress free over there and you can't help but fall in love with the culture.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic system is definitely different but it allows you to really get to know the Australian system. Instead of teachers walking you through everything here, it is much more independent in Australia. You typically have 2 tests and a paper that your grade is composed of. You need to be disciplined in staying on top of studying because although you may not have assignments due every class, you can't wait to study for your exams till a couple days before. But the system definitely allows flexibility as a foreign student. Your course load is typically light and I had tons of time to explore the city on the days I didn't have school. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
TEAN was awesome!!! All of the directors were incredibly nice and helpful with whatever questions we had! Orientation was so much fun and they really allowed us to get to know the city. We did so many amazing activities during orientation including petting kangaroos and koalas, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a dinner cruise on the harbour. This company cares so much about your experience and you will not find someone that wants you to have more fun! I went on a pre-semester trip to Cains and Byron Bay and had the opportunity to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef and learned how to surf! It was great and I met so many friends! They walk you through every step of the process to get there and it was the easiest thing ever! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was great!! We were right about a train station and it was so easy to get anywhere we needed to go including school! We were a 10 minutes bus ride from the famous Bondi Beach which was awesome during the weekends and even during the week! The housing was really nice and everything was provided including sheets and towels which is really nice when you can only bring 2 suitcases abroad. You have the apartment cleaned once a week which was incredibly awesome! And you have a great view. I could see the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House from my balcony and the Harbour. It was an awesome thing to wake up to every morning!! The housing is great and if you ever have any problems they are always there to help you out!! |
| * Food: |
They are supper accommodating when you do anything with the program. I didn't have any dietary restrictions but I saw them accommodating vegetarians and any other requests that were within their control. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I can't put into words how amazing this trip was!! They had so many activities planned during orientation that you really got to see a good portion of the city! It made it super easy once we moved in and weren't with the group. Throughout the semester, they would have occasional get togethers and they were really well put together. There was a dinner at the end of the program which was really great and it was an awesome way to wrap up the semester! All of the activities they put on are well put together and always ran very smoothly. It was so easy to have fun! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety is always important when visiting a foreign country. This is an incredibly safe city as long as you use your common sense. But I always felt comfortable walking at night alone on main roads. The healthcare system is quite different from the U.S. TEAN makes sure you register for health insurance and they tell you how to use it if you need it during orientation. I have an aunt that lives in Sydney and I went to her doctor when I got sick but when my friends used their healthcare, they said it was super easy and they sent a claim in after to get their money back. It's a different type of system but they have great doctors that are sure to make you better! I would definitely not be afraid to use the healthcare system again. |
| 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) |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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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? | This is a trip of a lifetime and you can't afford to let it go to waste! There is always something to do in Sydney and in Australia in general and there is no reason you should ever be bored. I honestly loved this city and hope to one day live there if that gives you a good picture of how awesome it was!! Don't pass up this wonderful opportunity to go with a company that cares so much about your experience!! |
