Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best decision I've ever made Past Review

By (Biology, General., Ithaca College) - abroad from 02/20/2012 to 06/22/2012 with

University of Sydney: Sydney - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was completely worthwhile. I met the greatest people that I will be friends with for years to come. I met my boyfriend while I was over there (Australian), and my american friends, australian boyfriend, and I were able to meet up in the US and travel around the US together after the program.

Review Photos

Direct Enrollment: Sydney - University of Sydney Photo Direct Enrollment: Sydney - University of Sydney Photo Direct Enrollment: Sydney - University of Sydney Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I was not prepared or warned about the difficulty of the courses, and how different they are from the US.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartment- Sydney University Village- was dirty when I arrived. It was very expensive, so that was disappointing. But it was close to campus.

* Food:

There are no cafeterias, so all food was purchased at the store. Very few australian foods, but this was not a problem.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

If you join the clubs, you become very integrated.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Lived right next to the hospital.

* 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 very expensive. I didn't realize this until I got there.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Go out with friends in moderation- money gets drained very quickly.

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

  • Apartment
* 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 ability to meet locals as well as hang out with other americans.
  • The many things to do in sydney.
  • The opportunities to become engaged. IES purchased the access card for us, which was a BIG plus.
* What could be improved?
  • The housing was less than impressive. They do not look even close to what they do online.
  • Preparation for the difficulty of the classes would have been appreciated. I wouldn't have taken such a rigorous course load if I had known.
  • IES could add a partial food component into the budget. Other programs had food credits at the local cafe.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The difficulty of the classes and the state of the apartments. And how expensive everything is.