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Australia: an experience
Australearn: Townsville - James Cook University
Program Information
James Cook University (JCU) combines excellence in teaching and research in a unique tropical setting. JCU is one of Queensland’s premier universities and Australia’s leading tropical University. Named after the British explorer Captain James Cook, the University offers quality education in a unique environmen... More
| Provider: | GlobaLinks Learning Abroad |
| Location(s): | Townsville, Australia |
| Year Founded: | 1989 |
| Website | Take me there! |
Review By:
Alyson L. (Marine Science, University of Maine - Orono) on November 01, 2011
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2011-02-02 |
| * End Date: | 2011-06-23 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It's a lot different. I was surprised I did as well as I did. It's very written based and independent. Teachers don't spoon feed you anything. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Really laid back. I could have done without the seminars. A walking based tour on site would have been so much more beneficial. Maybe a panal at the end of the seminar would have been better so we could get a feel for the country and then ask questions, instead of getting really biased experiences from other people. |
| * Housing: |
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| * Food: |
The food was disgusting. End of story. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
oh Lots! I loved going to the Lone Pine Animal Reserve and the Rainforest outside of Brisbane. That was awesome! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe while I was abroad. Only after I watched Wolf creek! |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did University of Maine - Orono 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? | Everything was a lot more expensive than I intended it to be. Traveling by far was extremely pricey. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Food is A LOT more expensive. |
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
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * 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? | Be honest with yourself about what you expect and what you want to get out of the program. Be as open minded as you can. It's going to be a wild ride. |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | YES. I loved everything about my experience. It was so positive and refreshing to be in a total new environment. I recommend it to anyone who finds themselves adventurous. |