Travelling Australia & New Zealand Past Review

By (Civil Engineering., Cornell University) - abroad from 02/20/2012 to 06/23/2012 with

The University of Queensland: Brisbane - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about different cultures, how to live on my own, how to adjust to a new city, what it's like to travel by yourself. Definitely 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.

not as difficult as Cornell, and if you needed extra help, there weren't designated office hours

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in student accommodation in a small suburb. It was great being around so many students, but the commute to uni was long (45mins-1hour)

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

walk with a friend at night

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)

Australian restaurants are expensive, so I brought lunch almost everyday, which saved a lot of money

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $80 or $90
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook your own meals and pack a lunch

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

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • the freedom to travel when and where I wanted
  • the location (Brisbane, Australia)
  • the size of the University
* What could be improved?
  • nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? how incredible SCUBA diving is. I would have spent at least another day at the Great Barrier Reef