Sydney Australia - UNSW - Coogee Beach Past Review

By (Math/Econ, Middlebury College) for

The University of New South Wales: Sydney - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I got a once in a lifetime chance to attend a large foreign university, meet new people, and travel to amazing places. I got to see the US from an Australian point of view and I find that very useful now that I am back home. It is exactly as advertised, a great experience.

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.

The workload was much more relaxed, the grading was much harsher but Middlebury's conversion scale appropriately made up for that. The professors were not very approachable but the TA's were. Different learning environment but equally enriching.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were very accessible on campus for any reason. They encouraged you to go to them with any problems you have or even if you are just looking for some fun vacation ideas. They were always very accommodating. No glaring weaknesses.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in an apartment with Americans but in a building with Australians of many different ages and backgrounds which was a good experience getting to know them.

* Food:

Great food but expensive. The burgers are not very good. I have no dietary restrictions so could not tell you about that. Smaller portions than in the US but not too small. Cucinella is a great place to eat in Coogee.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My program offered a Sydney Harbor Cruise which was a great time and a great way to see the city in a few very few get to.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I had no issues with safety living in Coogee but our friends in Coogee had their apartment broken into and their laptops stolen. I got sick once and the healthcare is great. I got a doctor to look at me within an hour and give me a prescription.

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)

Language

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Opportunities to travel
  • Attending a large universities
* What could be improved?
  • Price of food and overall affordability
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You won't get the cultural experience of going to South America or Egypt or something like that because Australia is more similar to the US than those places. That being said it is a great experience and a lot of fun and I would highly recommend it if you do not speak another language.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Environmental Economics

Course Department: ECON2127
Instructor: Tess Stafford
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Moderately challenging depending on your Econ background, no field trips, teacher was very knowledgeable, participated less because there were more students in lectures.
Credit Transfer Issues: Pending major credit transfer. No problems for course credit.
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Criminal Justice

Course Department: CRIM1011
Instructor: Sanja Milivojevic
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very tough class for an abroad student with no knowledge of the Australian Criminal Justice system but very informative for the same reason. Tough assignments and grading. One field trip to an actual court house and I participated less because of the lecture sizes.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Australian Legends: An Introduction to Australian Studies

Course Department: ARTS1190
Instructor: Grace Karskens
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Sometimes lectures were very boring, sometimes very interesting. Good class to take to really get to know more about Australian cutlture.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Environmental Economics

Course Department: ECON2127
Instructor: Tess Stafford
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Good teacher who is very helpful if you have questions, smaller class size than average too which is nice. Good to have an Econ background.
Credit Transfer Issues: Pending major credit transfer. Successful course credit transfer.
Course Name/Rating:

Quantitative Risk Measurement

Course Department: MATH2881
Instructor: Greg Monahan
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Really smart professor, not too much work, very reasonable grading, learned a lot. Great class.
Credit Transfer Issues: Pending major credit transfer. Successful course credit transfer.