Getting an Education or Going on Vacation? Why not both! Past Review
By Faith I (Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 07/20/2014 to 12/01/2014 with
University of Technology - Sydney (UTS): Sydney - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
How to be more independent and less fearful of anxiety-filled situations or the unknown; I gained friendships with people from all over the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It wasn't rigorous or intense as compared to UT courses, but I still learned enough and was able to enjoy my free time abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Communication was somewhat slow via emails. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved living in Yura Mudang. However, it was so expensive! But iI wouldn't have lived anywhere else. |
| * Food: |
No meal plans! Had to cook on my own to save money. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everyone is so friendly and welcoming and dorm events allowed you to explore the culture and city around you. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
easily accessible, but took awhile to be refunded your money from your student insurance plan; no vaccines needed; and healthcare system/doctor's visit was pretty similar to back home. |
| * Safety: |
Never felt in danger; just be smart and don't be by yourself. If someone was ever in danger, it's because they were too intoxicated and put themselves in that situation. Just like in the US, locals take advantage of any vulnerability. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
I was able to handle the budget because I am very frugal and money smart. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy your grocery's at Paddy's market or Woolworths! Learn to cook most of your meals, don't feel like you have to eat out for every meal. They have most of the same food items as the US. Don't splurge on alcohol, buy goon if you need to be buzzed. The alcohol prices are bizarre! |
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? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | That I could stay longer (understanding the meaning of a visa when booking my plane tickets); i could live different places (the dorm I stayed in wasn't my only option); how to get a job in australia because their wages are amazing |
