Aussie East Coast Adventures Past Review
By Jenna G (Radiological Science, University of Pittsburgh - Bradford) - abroad from 02/02/2012 to 06/16/2012 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Townsville - James Cook University
There is so much that i gained and learnt from being abroad. I really learned who i was and what i strongly liked or disliked in life. I learned how to be strong and gained independence. I had never left home before leaving to go abroad so it gave me an opportunity to spread my wings and find my true self without the influence of other that know me. It was more than worthwhile and i would recommend anyone and everyone study abroad!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were stimulating. They were hard but not too hard. Every one of my classes was hands-on and full of interaction which i loved! The overall campus was beautiful. Someone was always around to help out and resources were easily available for every activity or assignment that needed to be done. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Program Administration while on campus in Australia wasn't around very often but that was okay. She lived a little ways away from where we were but was always there if we needed to get ahold of her with questions or comments. She also set up activities along the way so we could all meet up which was cool. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing wasn't too bad. I have never lived on a campus before and dont particularly like on-campus housing to begin with but was encouraged to live on it to meet people more easily. I had my own bedroom and bathroom so that we great! It also was a very easy way to make very close friends and fast! |
| * Food: |
Breakfast was the best meal of the day with the most options. There were cereals, multiple kinds of breads to toast, yogurts, fresh fruit, and hot breakfast. The food at dinner and lunch was very bland and no options like we are used to having at home. The food that was served wasn't the greatest quality either but it wasnt too bad. The desserts were awesome though and served every night at dinner. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living in the Western Courts was great because there were the fewest amount of international students there which gave us more opportunities to make friends with the locals. We were such a small college so we were all very close compaired to the larger colleges on the university. (In Australia what we would consider "dorms" are called "colleges".) |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had to personally deal with the healthcare system while i was abroad (thankfully!) but the few friends that had to said it was very quick and friendly staff. |
| * Safety: |
There was never a moment while i was abroad that i did not feel safe. The university and college where i lived was always very safe and looked after. When we were out on the town there were police always near. I never felt threatened or even slightly uncomfortable while in Australia. |
| 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) |
I gave the rating a 4 only because if i were to live off only the dining hall food i would have been completely fine. I spent way too much money on my own groceries and impulsive items. Also, Australia is an expensive country compaired to ours. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $175 - $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat the meals you have already paid for in the dining hall and do NOT impulse shop. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | I wish i would have known my own personal reference better about the living arrangements so that i could have chosen a home-stay or live in an apartment with other students. |
