Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Australia: Exploring the World Down-Under Past Review

By (Architectural Engineering., The University of Texas at Austin) for

The University of Queensland: Brisbane - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I benefitted much from being on my own, having to handle situations I have never been in before, and getting to know students who live a very different life.

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

Very bureaucratic system. It was difficult to get any answers or help because I was constantly being redirected. On a brighter note, it was definitely beneficial to me to learn how other systems work.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very satisfied with my housing once I found it, but I had little help from the university with finding housing, and it 2 weeks to find an available place to live. I also had to walk or ride my bike two miles to school.

* Food:

Great food and many options, just pricey!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

New Zealand roadtrip, Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, the Whitsunday Islands, and Sydney were all so much fun!

* 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? No. Housing was more expensive than anticipated because of the floods.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

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
  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Foundations of Marketing
Course Department: MKTG1501
Instructor: Owen Seamons
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Basic introduction to marketing. Very comprehensive.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Management
Course Department: MGTS1301
Instructor: April Wright
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very straightforward intro course to management concepts. The professor really cared for the growth and learning of her students.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Engineering Thermodynamics
Course Department: ENGG1050
Instructor: Anton Rayner
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Comprehensive introduction to thermodynamics. I found it very similar to my lower-division engineering courses at home.
Credit Transfer Issues: It has not yet been approved by the School of Engineering, but it will be reviewed again when I return.
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Management
Course Department: MGMT1301
Instructor: April Wright
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I enjoyed this course, but struggled with the writing assignment and tutorial assessment, because I felt the lecturers were somewhat unclear about how to make improvements/ what they wanted.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Fluid Mechanics for Civil Engineering
Course Department: CIVL3130
Instructor: Dr. Baldock
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The concepts in this course were fairly difficult to understand, but the homework and tutoring sessions were very beneficial to learning the material. The hardest part of this course was the final, weighing 65% of my grade. The labs were also difficult, but as a group we could figure it out.
Credit Transfer Issues: The engineering school must also evaluate the course upon my return.