Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Becoming One Again with Nature Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/30/2017 to 05/04/2017 with

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Australia – Rainforest studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was 100% worthwhile. I would recommend it to other nature lovers like me!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall the academic experience was thrilling, immersive, and deeply engaging

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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

I made some of my closest friends on this program. It was absolutely perfect for me and provided the exact experience that I was looking for. I loved how immersive the experience was and I definitely learned a lot. A life-changing encounter in the rainforest!

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? It's really hard to say because it depended on what things were planned that week. However, I probably spent >$100 on average per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I think that studying abroad isn't about saving money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Field work
  • Excursions in Australia
  • Living in the Rainforest
* What could be improved?
  • Better preparation before coming (updating the packet)
  • Extending the length of the program
  • Giving students more time to complete assignments
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I don't think I was as prepared for the cost of living in Australia or what clothes would be the best. I wish I bought 100% deet before coming and that I was prepared to use it every day. I also think that the program wasn't accommodating of those with learning disabilities, which wasn't fair. I also didn't like how we had "chunks" of time to do work, and wish it was more spaced out in general.

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 Adventurer
The 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values
Course Department: N/A
Instructor: Justus Kithiia
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Rainforest Ecology
Course Department: N/A
Instructor: Sigrid Heise-Pavlov
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: