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Program Information
Learning does not begin or end in the classroom. To help you get a true taste of local culture, a wealth of cultural activities and excursions are included in your program fee.
Famous for its palm-fringed white sandy beaches and clear azure seas, Fiji is paradise come true. Cultural roots and traditions are... More
| Provider: | AIFS |
| Hosted at: | Macquarie University |
| Location(s): | Sydney, Australia |
| Year Founded: | 0 |
| Website | Take me there! |
Review By:
Sara S. (Environmental Science, Saint Anselm College) on August 31, 2011
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2011-02-03 |
| * End Date: | 2011-06-29 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I found the grading system to be very challenging, a good grade was a 50% AUS which would translate to about a 75% USA. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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| * Housing: |
I absolutely loved my apartment. We had 5 of us within a townhouse style apartment, situated within an area surrounded by everyone else in the AIFS program in other townhouses. I had my own bedroom and bathroom which was AMAZING. I lived with two Australians, one from China and one from Chicago, USA. It was a wonderful mix and we got along so well. The area felt very safe and it was walking distance to a bus stop to take you directly into the city as well as walking distance to a train station for the same purpose. It was also walking distance (opposite side of campus) to a major shopping centre with groceries, clothing stores, and a movie theater |
| * Food: |
Easy to buy groceries and cook food in the kitchen in my apartment |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I traveled all over Australia. Diving on the Great Barrier Reef, Skydiving and Bungy Jumping in Cairns, Seeing the Outback with my Dad when he came out to visit, Adventures in Melbourne, Chilling on the Gold Coast, Meeting Terri Irwin at the Steve Irwin Zoo, and Exploring Sydney with the best friends I've ever made :) |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Sydney was very safe and easy to get around |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did Saint Anselm College prepare and support you for your time abroad? |
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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? | About $200+ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE SO LIVE IT UP (when are you really ever going to come back to the land down under soooo why not see all it has to offer while you're here) |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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
| * If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? | Yes |
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Travel the world, and you will learn more about yourself than just staying locked away at home :) It's a small world after all so go out and explore all it has to offer |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | Australia is more work to live verses live to work and it really helped me become more confident with who I am as a person and just relax and grow into myself. I am an adventurous person with a strong curiosity for traveling and seeing the world and Australia gave me the chance to experience the culture of a world I never dreamed of ever being able to see in person. It opened me up to a whole new world of opportunities for my future employment and I would love to work in a field where I can incorporate science, travel and the great outdoors. |