Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Extreme Adventures in Australia Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 07/08/2012 to 11/16/2012 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned to be alone yet also surrounded by an intermixed culture. Took a lot of risks- bungee jumping, skydiving, scuba diving and travelled to New Zealand and Fiji! 100% worthwhile

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?

Lived in a house less than 100ft from the beach with 30 other exchange students from all over the world! INCREDIBLE!

* Food:

You don't go to Australia for the food. It is pretty similar to America in that it has tons of international restaurants and chains, so you can find anything but nothing stands out.

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Probably spent $200AUD a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save up because there is so much to do but it cost money. It is definitely worth the experience to go and possible to live relatively inexpensively, but you won't be able to partake in a lot of activities that do cost $$$.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Constantly something to do or see.
  • Easy access to beach and meeting locals as well as foreigners.
  • Friendships from all over the world.
* What could be improved?
  • Lived in an exchange house that you had to buy all new bedding/towels etc. They could have easily collected our stuff and provide it for the next set of exchange students rather than having us throw it away.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Wish I would have saved up and stayed after the program longer in order to stay in Australia or travel to Malaysia. The weather was fantastic when we left and pretty cold when I arrived, which was unexpected.

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.