Living in a Land Down Under is the Only Way to Go! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The quality of education given at the University of Sydney was equivalent to the rigor I've been used to at my home university. The work load was average, and I felt like I had adequate time to complete my schoolwork.

On-site administration of your program

When trying to adjust my schedule before the beginning of semester, I had serious difficulty talking to faculty advisors about how to get approval for certain classes. It took me a while to finally get the answer I was looking for, but everything worked out eventually. On the other hand, the study abroad advisors were absolutely amazing. All of them were friendly, really great to talk to, and helpful.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The location and quality of my housing abroad was great! It only took me 5 minutes to walk to campus and only 15 minutes to walk to the closest grocery store. It was in a safe part of Sydney and only a bus ride away from the city. Although it was very pricey, it was nice to have accommodation ready for me when I arrived in Sydney. There were a few aesthetic damages to some furniture and the internet was slow since we had 5 people using it, but overall, it was good accommodation for my time there.

There are obvious differences between Australia and America when it comes to food. I'm not picky, so I was easy to please. The food was always fresh, and Australia keeps most of their foods local, which I thought was great. In my area, there were tons of cafes that made fantastic gourmet coffee. Although food was much more expensive, you got portions worth your money. Side note: Tim Tams will blow your mind. Grab some as soon as you get there.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I found it difficult to make friends with Australians at my Sydney Uni simply because all of the other students had taken classes together before, so I was definitely the odd one out. The biggest aspect of Australian culture that I was able to get involved in was their sports thanks to a class I took. I went to a lot of Australian sports games including rugby union, rugby league, Australian rules football, and soccer. Luckily, sports play a major part in Australian culture, so I got to integrate into national pride pretty easily.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Although I didn't have a personal experience with Sydney's healthcare, my roommate had to use it whenever she severely hurt her ankle. She said that the on campus clinic at Sydney Uni didn't maker her wait long, and she was given service very quickly. I don't know how much it costs though.

I felt very safe during my time in Sydney. In my neighborhood, Glebe, I never felt like I was in danger when walking around at night.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Food was more expensive in Australia compared to the states, and my rent was MUCH higher. Although the experience was well worth it, my wallet took a big hit. Going out wasn't cheap either. Drinks like beer, cider and wine were normally around $7-$9. Meals at restaurants were always at least $15 as well.

Select all that apply

• Apartment

Select all that apply

• Americans
• International Students

Select all that apply

• Local Students

• People
• Sports
• Food

• Prices

The Academic or Linguist