Exchange: Sydney, University of Technology, Sydney is an experience I will cherish forever Past Review
By Kaitlyn C (Elementary Education, Western Carolina University) for
University of Technology - Sydney (UTS): Sydney - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I have become more independent and willing to voice my opinion more. I constantly want to travel and meet new people. Instead of seeing a situation at a quick glance, I now look at other options. I have become more aware of different cultures and accepting of diffent ways of life. I plan to continue traveling in America and throughout the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The work load was not difficult. I only had a few assignments for each class and a final at the end of the grading period. The profesors were very understanding when I let them know I would be missing a class and had to turn in assignments early. The teaching methods were different from American universities by having a lecture with about a hundred students and then a tutorial later in the week which was more one-on-one with the profesor. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The best memories I have are traveling with a group of friends. We traveled all up and down the coast of Australia as well as to Fiji and New Zealand. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The healthcare system was very easy to use, all you had to do was sign up through the exchange program and the host university recieved all my information. So when I was sick, all I had to do was make an appointment. Reagarding security, when New Zealand and Japan where having natural distaters, my exchange progam send us a warning to be safe and my home university wanted my contact information in case Australia would have a natural distaster. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spend about 50 Aussie dollars each week on groceries. It was cheaper to cook meals than going out to eat. For transportation fees, I had concession (exchange studnets had a stamp on their ID's) so trasportation by bus was 10 rides for 8 Aussie dollars. Taxis were expensive so trains were the cheapest way to get to places. Traveling took a lot of money between the trasportation getting there, food, souveiners, and a place to stay. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure you have consession, this will cut your transportation fees in half. Also, go to Paddy's market in Sydney to get your souveniers because they are cheaper than the shops. Make a budget when ever you plan and go a trip. This will help you not go crazy with your money. But living in Sydney was very expansive no matter how you arranged your budget. But do not let money be a primary issue for traveling, you have to enjoy your time and see as much as you can. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Students who are willing to meet new people, travel, and are willing to let their new country become their home. |
