Australia: Heaps Good Past Review
By Natalia O (Environmental Studies., Wellesley College) for
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Australia – Rainforest studies
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was in a completely different environment for three months. I saw things and met people I will never see again.
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived in cabins, but in the rainforest you can't exactly expect luxury hotels. |
* Food: |
Nightmarket and pad thai caravan in Rusty's Market in Cairns. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Go to Daryl's! |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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* Safety: |
Some people got bit by interesting bugs, but the individuals at the Centre know how to deal with these incidents. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Australia is very expensive. We didn't spend very much weekly, since we did not go off-site very often. Largest costs were mid-semester break and the three cairns weekends (which included a 160$ trip to the great barrier reef). Monthly I probably spent between 300-400 dollars. |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Beer is expensive. |
Language
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Heavy biology research, non-bio majors may have a harder time. |
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