Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

No Words enough to describe such an amazing and enriching experience. Past Review

By (Film/Cinema/Video Studies., Middlebury College) - abroad from 03/03/2014 to 06/27/2014 with

University of Melbourne: Melbourne - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learn't all sort of things. How to move by myself in a different country, I learnt about different cultures, how to do most things by myself, etc. I loved studying abroad for the people I met and for such a fun and beautiful country but I must say that I did not like much the classes at the university. I wish they would have let me take the classes I wanted that were related to my major. But I also learnt that studying abroad is not about the classes that you take or about university, but to get more mature, experience new things, dare to do things you would have never imagined, meet amazing people from all over the world and just to experience as much as you can.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a college and I liked it, but I wish I would have shared an apartment instead.

* Food:

College food is very unhealthy and not very tasteful.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I am not sure how good is the health insurance because I never had any health issues.

* 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)

Australia is a very expensive country.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $70
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If people go to Australia they should get a bike if they don't want to pay for the expensive tram, or walk a lot.

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

  • Dorm
* 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 people
  • traveling around easily within a beautiful landscape
  • the organization
* What could be improved?
  • The classes
  • The professor's approach
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have known that Melbourne was so expensive.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Australian Film and Television
Course Department: Screen
Instructor: Diana Sandars
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was relatively challenging, specially the final essay we had to write. The teacher was knowledgeable but it was somehow confusing because she changed her way of evaluation between the first assignments and her last assignment. I participated regularly in class. There were only papers as assignments.
Credit Transfer Issues: My credit hasn't been transferred yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Asian Cinema and Media
Course Department: Culture
Instructor: Daniel Edwards
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was challenging but interesting. The professor was great and was always willing to explain any concept. He was very clear with what he wanted from his students. I participated often in the class. We were assessed on papers and presentations.
Credit Transfer Issues: I haven't transferred my credit yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Australian Art
Course Department: Art History
Instructor: Susan Lowish
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The class had only two assignments that were two papers. They were challenging but the class should have had more assignments. It was too much pressure to be evaluated only in two assessments. The professor was nice but the lectures and the readings could have been more interesting.
Credit Transfer Issues: I haven't transferred my credit yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Guitar Cultures and Practice 1
Course Department: Music
Instructor: Ken Murray
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I loved this class. It was challenging to learn how to play the guitar and also to write assignments about the music styles we were learning. For the class we had to write papers and we had a listening test and a guitar playing exam. The instructors were always willing to help and they were very clear with their instructions.
Credit Transfer Issues: I haven't transferred the credit yet.