Best time of my life in Australia. Past Review

By (Wartburg College) - abroad from 09/03/2012 to 11/28/2012 with

Wartburg College Diers Program: Adelaide - Community Service at Lutheran Community Care

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Friendships, knowledge of my future career as a social worker, personal development. So very worthwhile!

Review Photos

Diers: Adelaide - Lutheran Community Care Photo Diers: Adelaide - Lutheran Community Care Photo Diers: Adelaide - Lutheran Community Care Photo Diers: Adelaide - Lutheran Community Care Photo Diers: Adelaide - Lutheran Community Care Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I studied with professors from Wartburg and spent my time in a full-time field experience, but the study went well.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Great and easy to talk to, much more like a host family even though I did not stay with her at her house.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Loved staying in a setting with other young people.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Felt safe in my community.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

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? Most of your money will be on wanting to buy things to go home, be prepared to how much you think you'll want to bring back. Also, consider travel costs.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

There was encouragement to others, but I was in Australia, so I was only learning new terminology in the English language.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? English.
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Be open to learning the new terms and using them without sounding like you're trying too hard.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Getting to feel like Adelaide was home.
  • My field experience.
  • Traveling while there.
* What could be improved?
  • Get into field experience quicker.
  • Be able to do more paper work in field experience.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about the lingo in Australia and also I should have done more reading before going.