Australia: Flying by the seat of my pants Past Review
By Briana D (Archeology., Barnard College) for
University of Melbourne: Melbourne - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Being evacuated from Egypt helped me to learn many things. I was able to put my planning skills to the test and learned that I'm extremely good at organizing myself on short notice. Meeting new people and seeing amazing things just speaks for the sheer power of coincidence and the impact one decision can have on so many lives.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Finding housing was extremely difficult and expensive. I don't recommend this to someone who hasn't apartment-hunted prior to going as it is easy to get ripped off. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I arranged my housing myself from the housing wanted board at the university. I was given no help with this process. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I did not attend any events arranged by my program because they were too expensive and too centered on drinking, which is fun, but not something I want to spend extra money on. I was fortunate enough to befriend someone with a car which we drove all around the state of Victoria. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I almost had a man follow me off the train the second day I was in Melbourne, but a Melbournite was looking out for me and said he would have intervened had the man tried to do so. |
| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent an average of 150$ on food a week and I paid 180$ a week for my housing. I would spend anywhere from 0-100$ a week on personal expenses. Melbourne is a very expensive place to live. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Public transportation expenses, the high cost of renting, the high cost of alcohol and food. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Don't expect a huge cultural difference from the US, but still look for the small differences in attitude and language that make Australians the wonderful hosts they are. |
