Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A semester of complete environmental immersion! Past Review

By (Environmental Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/29/2018 to 05/03/2018 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
SFS Tropical Rainforest Studies offered the unique opportunity to truly live in the rainforest! This is an incredibly intimate view of an ancient and endangered ecosystem which boasts incredible biodiversity and ecosystem services. As a participant in this program, I was not a visitor to the rainforest, but actually living inside it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* 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

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)

Most of program time is spent at the SFS campus, leaving few opportunities to spend money. Very easy to have a minimal budget and only spend money on weekends in the city, farmers markets, etc.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Depending on the week, $0-75

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?
  • The environmental immersion!
  • Close relationships with professors
  • Close-knit community of other students
* What could be improved?
  • More interaction with local culture
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Privacy on the program is very limited due to the community living model.

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.