Australian Ecology of Land and Sea; A Comprehensive Outdoor Adventure April 19, 2026

By A student (Ecology, Evolution Biology, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/29/2025 to 12/10/2025 with

School for International Training

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

This experience was beyond worthwhile, I learned so much about the rainforest and reef, yes, but the cultural aspect of this program are what made it so valuable to me. The ability to learn about the Aboriginal and cultural history of Australia while immersing ourselves in teh cultural practices was so incredibly valuable. Learning in this program brought the classroom immediately out into the field and we would be able to see with our own eyes the plants, animals,and community dynamics we had learned about days before.

Review Photos

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* 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:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes While I may not have been challanged in what some might consider the euro-centric method of education, the hands-on skills I learned were beyond valuable and I made memories that I will cherish forever. Never again will I be able to experience the natural world of Australias northern shores as I did on this life-changing semester abroad.

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?	Make a food budget! It helps a lot.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Other Hostel
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans Other
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
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?	Challanging myself to try everything new and push teh limits of my social abilities. Immersing myself in the wilderness of the rainforest and reef. The flexibilty and freedom I had to choose my own path and in which areas I would be challanged,especially when it came to my independent science project.
* What could be improved?	Structured lecture that allows for better note-taking and later retention, a slightly more studious environment would have really helped me. More of a routine especially for field work. This was done amazingly on Lizard Island, but the Rainforest module was much more taxing than it may have been given more of a set routine that allowed us to acclimate ourselves to when we were able to relax or prepare for a long day. N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I had known how much it would challange the limits of my social battery. I may have been with the most incredible group of people but spending every day as well as 4-person rooms with them for months can get to be a lot for someone like me who is used to a modicum of privacy.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Avid Adventurer The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.