Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Experience of a Lifetime Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 02/10/2016 to 06/30/2016 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I absolutely loved my 5 month long study abroad experience through TEAN. I lived in the heart of Sydney and studied at UTS. Every day was a new adventure, whether it was walking to Darling Harbour, taking the train to Circular Quay to a) stare at the Opera House or b) take a ferry to Manly Beach or Watsons Bay or c) walk around The Rocks, hike in the Blue Mountains and Royal National Park, doing the Bondi-Coogee coastal walk, or traveling to other cities in Australia, and other countries such as New Zealand and Thailand. I learned so much about myself during my time abroad, and I gained a ton of new friends that I got to share this experience with! I learned the importance of travel and experiencing other cultures. Overall, my Sydney study abroad experience was an unbelievable and indescribable adventure, and I wish I could do it all over again!!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The Australian education system is a little different from that of the US. I really enjoyed being in classes with Australians, and even though I had to do work, I learned a lot!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

The food is AMAZING all over Australia, but especially in Sydney!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very integrated into the local culture, and by the time I left Sydney in June, it felt like I was leaving my home.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I always felt so safe in Sydney.

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

TEAN staff members were ALWAYS accessible and readily available if we ever needed anything from my first day in Sydney to the last. I was always emailing and calling TEAN before I departed for Australia, and all of the TEAN representatives answered every single question I had and helped me decide on attending UTS. TEAN came highly recommended from my friends who studied abroad in Sydney in the past as well.

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)

Sydney is notoriously an expensive city - especially when you are going to want to go to all of the delicious restaurants and eat poached eggs and acai bowls for every meal! Fortunately, the exchange rate could be in your favor, like it was during the time I lived there, which makes things a little easier.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-$150

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • TEAN staff was always friendly and accessible
  • orientation acclimated us to Sydney
  • FREE events in Sydney
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how hard it was going to be to leave.

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.