Australia: The Happiest Months of My Life! Past Review
By Emily J (theatre/ criminal justice, University of Northern Colorado) for
University of Canberra: Canberra - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Totally worthwhile! I may be returning to Australia for Grad School or living there in the future. :)
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Canberra |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
They structure classes very differently. There is a lecture and a tutorial for each class. Lecture is often optional and available to watch online (but internet is EXPENSIVE fyi). Tutorial is mandatory and effects your grades. Both lecture and tutorial are scheduled just once a week for each class. The library is a really nice place to work, but the computers are almost always hard to come by and the printing (especially colour printing) is painfully slow-- so don't wait till the last minute to print something off. If all of the computers are full there is a training room down in the basement that is often empty (just a secret I learned). Mostly I found that it was easy to have a lot of fun and travel while in university-- just make sure to stay on top of those assignments and I suggest just convincing yourself the due date is a day early so you have no troubles. FYI Vodafone has awesome rates for calling the US-- it's prepaid. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Lili and the staff were quite helpful when you got there and were decently good at promptly answering emails. The website, on the other hand, was difficult to navigate and even with the orientation they provided for us, arranging your schedule is exceptionally confusing! The week of orientation when we arrived was wonderful for meeting friends and getting situated. A few of the presentations lacked interest, but they were balanced out by fun activities such as the cruise. Overall, I felt very well taken care of. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was in a house called International House. In general the house is in good shape and each person has an individual room with a shared living space. It's got a great location-- and despite the website being completely unhelpful in telling you this-- it's pretty much the 2nd nicest place to live after the new apartments in Globo (Global Village). The only real downside to living here is that several of the houses were filled with all international students that spoke the same language and kind of kept to themselves, but my neighbours and I all lucked out and our houses had a wonderful mix of study abroad, international, and local students. They don't supply any kitchenware or linens by the way unless you want to buy them all. I suggest finding a neighbour and buying them together. |
| * Food: |
There really isn't a food plan unless you live in Arscott House-- which is the farthest away from campus and looks like an old insane asylum. The food in the plan is twice a day and I heard was repetitive and kind of unappetizing. University food in the commons is horrible-- almost all of it-- just give up, but the coffee shop is delicious! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Mardi Gras, surf camp, Canberra Day, Australia Day-- all great! Pretty much any trip was fantastic. Groovin' the Moo is a music festival that was so beyond worth it!!! There is a huge amount of social interaction on campus. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Make sure to order your health card online when you arrive. It only takes about 10 min and it's great to be prepared because that card made it so easy to go get help. |
| 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? | approximately 150AUD a week, but sometimes that was way way more than enough. If I had eaten out more often or partied more often it would have been maybe not quite enough. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Internet is expensive and confusing, but luckily the prices went down right when I was leaving so it isn't nearly as bad. |
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? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
