Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

"The Best Five Months of My Life!" Past Review

By (Marketing, Clemson University) - abroad from 02/11/2015 to 06/28/2015 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself as a person while abroad. It opened my eyes to the importance of traveling and living in a new place. My experience abroad showed me all the amazing opportunities around the world that many people let pass them by. Studying abroad has made me realize that I don't want to be one of those people. It has permitted me to realize that I want to understand and immerse myself in as many places and cultures as I can.

Review Photos

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

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 Education Abroad Network made registering for classes extremely easy. The program made sure we were always informed on our academic status and made us aware of academic resources while we were abroad. TEAN also introduced us to the academic advisor we would be working with while abroad so we felt comfortable approaching her if we had any issues during the semester. I found the classes I took very interesting and the overall educational experience very rewarding.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very happy with my living arrangements. I always felt safe and at home while staying at my student accommodation. TEAN did an excellent job with the living options. I am very happy I chose the Urbanest city living option. I wouldn't have wanted to live anywhere else in Sydney.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Living in the center of Sydney and so close to Sydney University I felt that I was able to fully immerse myself in Australian culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

TEAN set me up with Allianz overseas student health coverage plan while I was abroad. This health coverage was extremely helpful. It was very easy for me to receive my insurance card and use it at the on campus health clinic. The two times I visited the health clinic went very smoothly and was covered by Allianz. TEAN helping me with this made me feel very comfortable going to doctors overseas and not worrying about the cost of the checkup and to simply focus on my health.

* Safety:

I have never felt safer in a city than I did in Sydney. There was never a moment where I felt I was in danger.

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)

The cost of living in Australia is much higher than that of the United States. This made my expenses for the semester much higher. However, it is very manageable to cover your expenses for the semester as long as you save your money and keep yourself on a budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? It depended on the week but it varied from $60-$120
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make smart purchases and try to cook more than eating out. I found eating in a great way to save money while abroad. Also look into getting a bank account at an Australian bank if you credit and or debit card has international charges.

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
  • International Students
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The program leaders
  • The expert advise about the country
  • The program allowed me to have independence within the country as well as providing me with a support system.
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I knew that ketchup is called tomato sauce in Australia. Knowing this would have saved me a lot of weird and confused looks from people.