Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Sydney, Australia: I'd be willing to move there after Studying Abroad at UNSW Past Review

By (Political Science and Government., 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?
YES. The study abroad experience was definitely worthwhile. It made me realize that I could live abroad for the rest of my life and be very happy with it. It's made me reconsider my future plans of always living on the east coast and being able to potentially consider a career at a job with an office in Sydney.

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 Australian system is different- your midterm and final are pretty much going to determine your grade, but that also means that there is a lot less work to do in the weeks that aren't midterms and finals. The grading system is also really different, they consider anything over an 85 to be publishable so very few people get close to that. Those were pretty much the major differences.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

UNSW hosts so many study abroad kids each year that I think they have a very good understanding about what they need to do in order to help people adjust. I would say that the program, which has their own study abroad office that is always accessible to only study abroad students, does a great job of helping us with what we need.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Neighborhood was incredibly safe. We lived among one of the nicer neighborhoods in Sydney, we were about a 25 minute walk from school and a 10 minute bus ride. It was a phenomenal location.

* Food:

I have Celiac's and Australia was unbelievable for gluten free food which was amazing.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The Opera House was amazing- definitely go on the tour inside of it. Also climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge- even if you're scared of heights. Also- go to Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Sydney is incredibly safe, I never felt in danger at all. The program did a good job during orientation of warning us of the dangers of drinking, the possibilities, signs, and warnings of roofies, and advice on how to avoid putting ourselves in a dangerous situation.

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)

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Sydney as a whole
* What could be improved?
  • The exchange rate (though that isn't really in the hands of UNSW)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? JUST DO IT. Seriously, it was an amazing experience, I absolutely adored UNSW. I think any student who is even considering it is the kind of student who should go. Australia was amazing- there is so much to do there and I think that it would benefit anyone to be so far away from home in a completely new area of the world.