Studying abroad in Sydney will be the best decision you ever make!! Past Review
By A student (Fine Arts, Studio Arts, University of Kentucky) - abroad from 12/31/2015 to 03/16/2016 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN: The Australian Semester
There are so many lessons I learned while abroad. Not only were my classes extremely beneficial and fun but I learned about local food, culture, people and even the history of Australia. I learned as much about Sydney as I know about my hometown in Chicago. I learned how to use the bus system alone. I learned how to scuba dive. I learned about the animals, people and places in Australia. I learned what to eat and where to go. This trip was absolutely worthwhile and an adventure I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Review Photos
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 wonderful part about TEAN is that they highly value a balanced educational experience. For this reason, our studies included classroom time, planned excursions, and opportunities for individual exploration. In addition, the professors that TEAN provided were experts in their field and extremely passionate about teaching. This made me enthusiastic to learn and I expanded my professional network all the way to Australia! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site administration was extremely helpful. They were always available and (in times of crisis) were very quick to respond. I felt at home knowing they were there to help. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I really loved our particular living arrangements because each place we stayed at was slightly different. This gave me an idea of living in Australia. Therefore if I ever go back I know what to expect in terms of living arrangements. We stayed in the dorms, in a hostel and in serviced apartments. This gave each student the opportunity to experience different lifestyles and meet different people. |
| * Food: |
My study abroad experience consisted of a lot of wonderful food! I never wondered where my next meal would come from. In addition, if food was not provided, TEAN was extremely helpful in providing coupons or informing us of local deals to save money. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We had a lot of experiences in which we were able to interact with locals. This greatly enriched my experience abroad and taught me more about the country. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There was one instance in which I got a cold while abroad, TEAN was very helpful in steering me in the direction of a Chemist. In addition, they checked in with me to see how I was doing. This made me feel safe although I was far from home. |
| * Safety: |
Sydney is extremely safe! In fact, I felt more safe than I do at home. Luckily I never experienced any incidents. I always felt safe because of TEAN and the safety of Sydney. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Studying abroad with TEAN was, without a doubt, one of the best decisions I have ever made. I got to learn, explore and network in an incredible place! |
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) |
This trip was extremely economical! I was absolutely on a budget but it was not an issue at all. This was in part due to the provided meals and also because of the exchange ratio with Australia. It was not difficult to spend little while still having fun. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 - $80 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make yourself a weekly budget and do your best to stay within it! In addition, the beauty of Sydney is public transportation is cheap and there are tons of beautiful, free parks and beaches. Take advantage of free activities and food deals! Don't be afraid to grocery shop in order to save money. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Pack light! It's easy to get caught up in packing everything because you will be gone for so long but this is not necessary! It is far better to pack light and have less to carry. If you really need something, you will be able to buy it. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
