... Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Saying that the workload was intense is an understatement but I walked away a much better student because of it. Most other international students did not have the same bad luck in choosing which classes they took and Europeans tended to find their courses much easier than the ones they take back home. The quality and caliber of the professors was outstanding and everyday I was impressed by the talent, intelligence, motivation, and integrity of the other students. No one walked into class saying, "I don't want to be here." There was a healthy competitive atmosphere that drove everyone to excel. I think that there was such a notable difference in motivation between Australian students and American students for a couple reasons. Many Australians take a year or two off before going to college and travel the world. Not everyone goes to college either and instead choose to get practical experience in the field of their choosing rather than learn through a classroom environment. This means that the people who decide to go actually WANT to be there. In the U.S. most students see college as just an extension of high school and it is something they HAVE to do. This doesn't encourage them to value the education they receive. It is just a means to and end rather than a journey. The U.S. pretty much lets people buy their degrees and this is why our universities have the highest tuition in the world by a landslide. I think this is why classes at the University of Tasmania seemed so much harder than at Towson University. Many U.S. students found it much more difficult too-- which is interesting because most European students who were not even native English speakers found them easier.

On-site administration of your program

They had an International Student Orientation for a week before classes started. Most of the activities were pretty juvenile but they took us on tours of the town and gave us crucial opportunities to get to know other international students who ended up becoming some of my closest friends.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

They put me up in a single dormitory that was on the ground level. It was situated right next to the main entrance between a janitor's closet and a bathroom no one ever used. Then there was a long hallway and several other bathrooms. THEN there were the rest of the student dorms. They also did not tell me that the Arts building, where every single one of my classes were held, was a 4 km hike from the dormitories... up and down extremely steep hills. After less than a month, I requested to move out. It was also way more expensive than any other non-university housing option. They were going to make me pay $1500 for a breach of contract and for moving out early but I explained me situation and they waived the fee. I then moved into a shared house in the center of the city with someone I randomly met at an art forum for half the price of the uni dormitories. After two months there, I moved in with my boyfriend who I met in Tasmania.

The food had a nice range in variety and was reasonably priced if you lived on campus. The quality was usually hit or miss.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Tasmania is wild and beautiful. I mostly went on excursions outside of university planning. MONA (the Museum for Old and New Art) is a must-see and is free for UTAS students. The Tasman Peninsula, Freycinet, mountains near Peddler's Lake are all breath taking adventures. There are so many outdoor activities to do it will blow your mind.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I got an acute infection in my mouth while I was studying abroad that was quickly spreading over my body. It cost me $90 to be seen by a doctor but since UTAS sets their international students up with MediBank health coverage, I got $60 back. You have to go into the center of town though to get any rebate.

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

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• Dorm

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• Local Students

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• Local Students

• Because it was on exchange, I could pay my Towson tuition (instate and scholarsdhips included) and study all the way in Tasmania
• The rewards from the challenges

• Better preparation. Less general- more specific