Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best time of my life June 14, 2025

By (Environmental Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/06/2025 to 05/15/2025 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Gained so many experiences, learned how to step out of my comfort zone. It was very worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Grading system weighs 3 assignments total very heavily, not a lot of work but assignments are hard. Lots of resources.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Basically none, one orientation meeting

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

No help finding housing, but got lucky with where we were near campus in an exchange house.

* Food:

Food was good around sydney but no dining halls. Able to buy food on campus.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Felt integrated with the local students but it was hard to make friends with aussies.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Had to get a healthcare card when enrolling, very easy and never had to use it.

* Safety:

Very very safe

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would probably apply through a program provider as there is not much aid through direct enrollment so sometimes it was a hassle to find housing etc

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)

Sydney is a very expensive city, but was easy to be budget friendly at the grocery store

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Have a weekly budget

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? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Independence
  • Class variability
  • People
* What could be improved?
  • International Resources
  • Housing
  • Explanations of things to enroll
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing major, I feel like little things are important to learn there

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Popular Music
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: It was very challenging, but the instructor was very knowledgeable about the subject. I was assessed based on two quizzes, a project proposal and a final project that was a research paper. I participated the same as I would at home.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Sport, Law, and Society in Australia
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: This course was very challenging but super interesting. The instructor was extremely knowledgeable and was able to teach it well. We were assessed based on a presentation, online modules, and two papers.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Marketing Fundamentals
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: This course was an introductory course to marketing and it was taught on a lecture and discussion basis. Most interactions were with the tutor, but the lecturer was knowledgable and taught it well. I participated more often and we were assesed based on two presentations, a few pieces of homework and a final paper.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Environmental Sustainability and Taxation
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: This course was very challenging, the teacher was extremely knowledgeable with what he was teaching. We were assessed with a presentation and a final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: