Australia: Can't Wait to go Back! Past Review
By Mandy H (BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES., Arizona State University) for
USAC Australia: Gold Coast and Brisbane - Undergraduate and Graduate Courses
Absolutely. The best decision I have ever made. If I knew how much I was going to love it, I would have stayed a year. The people you meet will be life long friends. Being so far away from home, you learn to be independent, and you learn about the world! I believe it makes you a better, more well rounded person.
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. |
Although I believed that the grading was a bit tougher, it was still a great experience and I still learned a lot. |
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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? |
We decided to live off campus, and rented an apartment right on the beach. Best choice ever because we were close to literally everything, and campus was only a 20 min bus ride. |
| * Food: |
The food was not all that different from the states. They had a few things that stood out, kangaroo meat, vegemite (you have to try it once). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Australia itself is just an amazing and beautiful country. The people are wonderful, so kind and helpful! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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Other Program Information
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* 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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't consider it, do it! Best thing I have ever done. And when you're there, enjoy every single second of it bacause it goes by so fast. Budget your money! It's a bit more expensive there so you need to be smart. Our first couple months we were all so excited and thought we were rockstars and were spending money left and right, it catches up to you, so be smart, but still have a blast! |
