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Program Information
James Cook University has easy access to the rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef which makes the campus a perfect setting for those seeking a world-class education in a tropical environment. JCU’s main campuses are located in the northern Queensland cities of Cairns and Townsville, which are some of the fast... More
| Provider: | GlobaLinks Learning Abroad |
| Location(s): | Cairns, Australia |
| Year Founded: | 1989 |
| Website | Take me there! |
Review By:
Marlen C. (Biology, Berea College) on July 20, 2010
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2010-02-06 |
| * End Date: | 2010-06-18 |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There were very high expectations and the final was worth 50% of the grade, which made alot of pressure. I had no language difficulties, since Australia is english speaking. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The abroad office at JCU was very helpful and offered trips for international students |
| * Housing: |
Student lodge near campus, arranged in clusters which include a living room and three separate bedrooms and a bathroom. Meals were included, also there was a swimming pool <br /><br /> |
| * Food: |
The food was just average cafeteria food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I made 3 very good American friends, we all lived at the lodge together. It was alot of fun going to the beach a few minutes away, or going shopping in Cairns or sightseeing the Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest. I went to an excellent location to sightsee. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Health care was provided |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did Berea 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 $100. It really depended, because I spent alot when I traveled (I spent about $800 going to Japan). Meals were provided, but the sightseeing and souvenires cost too. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | don't spurge, money trickles away so easily. Try to stick to your budget and always bring extra cash/credit card in case your card quits working so you are not stuck without money. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
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? | keep in mind there are many other students studying abroad where you are going, so you are not alone. keep an open mind and lower your expectations. |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | Yes it was worthwhile, i enjoyed it alot, and learned alot in a different educational and global setting. I have become more independent and practical. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Australian Vertebrate Fauna |
| Course Department: | BZ3705 |
| Instructor: | L. Schwarzkopf |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This was a very good course, although quite difficult. The field trip to Toomba Nature Refuge was a great experience during which I learned alot about fauna surveying. This was a very interesting subject and taught well. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Effective Photography |
| Course Department: | PT1410 |
| Instructor: | J. Drinkall |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The instructor for this course was not a very effective teacher, and half way through the course had to be replaced by another teacher. The original professor simply read off overhead slides and was unable to answer many student's questions. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |