School in New York Down Under Past Review
By A student (University of Hartford) - abroad from 07/09/2018 to 11/24/2018 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Sydney - University of Sydney
I learned that there is strong Asian influence in Sydney and that Australia's history is very similar to the States.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The school offers 24/7 library access and tons of other academic resources to assist with class research, etc. The grading feedback; however, tended to be lackluster in all of my classes - very vague. Although most of the professors were willing to meet to discuss criticism further. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The school assistance was mediocre. The mate abroad program, for example only met up once. But the program that I went with was extremely helpful and our mentor was extremely approachable the entire semester. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I went with a non-provided housing option (aka I found my own housing). The housing with the program tended to be extremely expensive and I found an option across the street from the school that was half as much. |
| * Food: |
Food was not provided with the program. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program offers meet-ups every month, but for the most part it is on you how integrated you choose to be. I advise that you make an effort to speak to people in classes or join clubs and make friends outside of the program in order to be more integrated. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Did not have any health issues while I was abroad. |
| * Safety: |
When I first arrived the appearance of the suburbs in Sydney feel a little sketch, but once accustomed you realize how safe it really is pretty much everywhere around the area. |
| 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) |
You could theoretically probably get by on less than $100 a week, especially if you have your own cooking space and fridge. Rent for me was $225AUD and food averaged out to about $150 a week, but I ate out about 7x a week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't just go to your nearest grocery store. When you first arrive change it up and find the cheaper places. Its a pretty safe city so walk to places when you can and save on transportation. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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* 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? | DO NOT buy return flight tickets before going! I booked through STA and felt like it was a requirement and was not able to push back my flights after the fact. I would have liked to stay longer and travel back with my new friends. |
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.' |
