CAPA International Education: Sydney Study or Intern Abroad Photo

No Worries Mate - Adventure of a lifetime in Australia!

Program Information

As Australia’s largest city, Sydney is the financial, commercial, and cultural center of Australia. On the CAPA Sydney Program, students learn how Sydney related to the Pacific Rim and in turn the rest of the world through studies both inside and outside of the classroom. The CAPA Sydney Center is located in N... More

Provider: CAPA International Education
Location(s): Sydney, Australia
Year Founded:
Website Take me there!

Review By:

Victoria K. (Sport Management & Marketing, UMass - Amherst) on February 18, 2011

Overall Rating

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2010-01-18
* End Date: 2010-04-26
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My professors were great! They helped us adjust to Australian culture and made the long classes enjoyable. They took time to explain the big grading differences between the U.S. and Australia. The workload was appropriate.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were always available and very knowledgeable about what to do, where to go, etc.. The Monday Memos they sent out were great and very helpful to get everyone involved in various events. My expectations were definitely met and the program size was perfect, I got to know everybody.

* Housing:

Merito Waterloo Serviced Apartments - amazing! 10 minute walk to my internship and the bus stop was very close. I didn't need to buy any items and if there was ever a problem or if I needed something, reception was there to help. The neighborhood was safe and many cafes and the grocery store is very close too.

* Food:

Meal card was great and typically was enough for each week. Sometimes I went over but the cards don't expire so you can use them whenever. Angelino's was my favorite place to go for food close to the Meriton (2 minute walk) and there are plenty of places in Surry Hills too. Food can be expensive so keep track of where your spending your money.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Interning for the Rabbitohs and being at the matches at the Olympic Stadium! Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, skydiving in Cairns, hot air ballooning on the Gold Coast, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Featherdale Wildlife Zoo, Australia Day and many more!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

* Home Institution Advising:

How well did UMass - Amherst prepare and support you for your time 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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

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? A student who is open-minded and wants to be challenged and thinking of working abroad. Someone who wants to differentiate themselves from others in their field. Definitely do the CAPA Program! The internship aspect is one of my favorite parts about my time in Australia and I will never, ever forget what I learned, the people I met, and so many memories!
* What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? Absolutely! I wish I could go back and do it all over again! I'm more laid back and not as stressed. I would definitely consider working in Australia after I've interned there.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Australian Cinema

Course Department:
Instructor: Bruce Issacs
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Awesome! Classes were fun and engaging.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

PELA

Course Department:
Instructor: Tom Frengos
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Good course to help us improve our experiences at our internships, etc... Maybe a little too long, although I know there have been changes since I had the course.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Pacific Rim: International Business & Trade

Course Department:
Instructor: Tom Frengos
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great course - I enjoyed working on the case study with classmates and much of what I learned I've used in classes since I've been back.
Credit Transfer Issues: No