Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Summer Down Under = The Summer of a Lifetime! Past Review

By (Energy Tomorrow, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 06/17/2015 to 07/24/2015 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN: The Australian Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad was the most amazing, eye opening, maturing, growing, adventurous experience that I have ever had! I learned a ton about energy from an Australian perspective, but I learned even more about how to be an adult in a country and make decisions on my own. I had a million and one adventures, made friends that I will have for a lifetime, and immersed myself in a new culture all in five short weeks. I would not trade this experience for anything! Australia is absolutely beautiful and TEAN does an amazing job of making sure that you see all of the biggest and best parts of the country. Through this program you are set up to have a great time and take home a lifetime's worth of great memories!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I really learned a lot about the future of energy and where energy is headed in the next decade. There were so many interactive activities (field trips and labs) that really kept learning engaging and exciting!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We stayed in really nice hostels, dorms, and hotels that were very modern, clean and in perfect locations.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Getting to mix and interact with locals was one of the best parts of the trip! Australians love talking to Americans and really taught me a lot about the the culture of the country. TEAN helps by setting up activities designed to have you interact/ step into the lifestyle of the everyday Australian.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Australia is definitely not the cheapest country to visit. The food is the most costly part and if you are one that wants to try all of the local eats and delicacies,it will get expensive. However, managing your expenses is by no means impossible.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100- $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? In the hostels and the dorms that you stay in, you have the ability to cook so take advantage of it when you can. Also, because everyone generally eats with the group of friends that they make, try and find a group of people that match your frugality so that you all can make smart spending decisions together.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • I loved getting learn how to surf with the local Australians.
  • I loved getting to spend time in five of the major cities in Australia. We got to see several aspects of the country.
  • I liked the interactive learning.
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
  • N/A
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? N/A