Australia: Time of my Life! Past Review
By Maria G (EDUCATION., The University of Texas at Austin) for
The University of Queensland: Brisbane - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was amazing. I would go back in a heartbeat. I hope to go back to Australia one day to study again I loved it THAT much!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The only class that I did not enjoy was my Architecture class and that was because it was more advanced than I was able to handle. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Advisers and teachers were always available to me. It was very helpful and nice! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I used the housing company named Semester in Australia. At first it seemed great. They tried to accommodate the newly arrived students, but they failed to address a lot of housing problems. When I first arrived at my apartment, only one outlet was working and it hadn't been vacuumed or cleaned at all. There was mold growing in the refrigerator. Through out the semester they were very negligent and didn't address any of the problems. I would suggest that no future students traveling to University of Queensland use this housing company. |
| * Food: |
I found that Brisbane was very green, and they accommodated to different dietary restrictions! It was great. Reminded me a lot of Austin. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I arranged most of my own field trips but the education department organized an excursion for one of my classes which took us to the hinterlands to teach a first grade class. I loved it! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I LOVED Brisbane because of how safe it felt. I was able to run by the river late into the night and no one would ever bother me/I never felt threatened. Australians are so friendly and Brisbane is a great city for college students! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | No |
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
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A student who would benefit most from this program is one that is willing to travel independently and escape his/her bubble by meeting new local friends! |
