Invaluable to my youth/college experience Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 07/25/2016 to 11/19/2016 with
University of Sydney: Sydney - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I got a sense of confidence and a good sense of self while I was abroad. I realized that I'm tougher than I give myself credit for, and that I know more than what I gave myself credit for. I was able to reevaluate myself and what I was studying in a different setting and more than the just the courses themselves, I was able to reaffirm my deep interest in the subject material.
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. |
I found the readings of the class more informative than the lectures themselves. The tutorials were the most helpful in terms of understanding the material through discussion. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Some things were done quite slowly like receiving my student ID, but otherwise, I had no problems with the administration. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in the Queen Mary Building which is part of the University of Sydney Student Accommodations. Though the rent was higher than what I pay at home, I was a 5 minute walk away from campus in the middle of Sydney, therefore, I think it was reasonable. The community that I found at the Queen Mary Building was unbelievable. It was very international with a combination of locals, Europeans, Americans and Asians I got to know people from around the globe. |
* Food: |
I cooked for myself in the communal kitchen in my dorm. I could usually keep my grocery costs to under $50/week, but eating out in Sydney is quite expensive unless you go to cheap Asian restaurants. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very ingrained in my dorm culture. I must say that during my time in USyd, it was very hard to meet locals in my classes. I, however, met some Australians who I ended up traveling with. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was sent my healthcare card, but never had to use it. |
* Safety: |
I often went out quite late at night in the Newtown area, but I never felt unsafe because there are always people around. I often went out with groups of people and never went out alone. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The relationships that I've made, the places I went to, the material that I was able to delve into and the discussions that I was able to have are all things that I want to keep with me for the rest of my life. |
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) |
I probably spent about $100 total on my food and personal expenses per week. But I did make a conscious effort to not spend too much money on extraneous purchases. |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-150 |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a budget per week, and make two bank accounts. One that you put all of your money for housing and another that you use for personal expenses. |
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 |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? |
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* What could be improved? |
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* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | nothing in particular. I did a lot of research beforehand. But I wish that I had started traveling earlier. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |