Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Past Review

By (HISTORY., Wellesley College) for

IFSA: Melbourne - University of Melbourne

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My ranking is low just again because of International House. However Australia was great. It is so pretty and the traveling is so much fun.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: University of Melbourne
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+
The term and year this program took place: Spring 2010

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It is a very good university but different than Wellesley. Some of my classes were easier than classes at Wellesley but I was challenged. The grading system is very different but Butler translates the grades into American grades and they have a very easy scale so that helps a lot !

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program itself is a great idea. They have little coffee meetings for all the Butler kids and they take you on events and everything so that is awesome. My social service coordinator, the Butler lady who ran everything for us was awful. However she will not be returning so don't worry about that. So overall I was impressed with the program.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a residential college. Specifically I was given International House. I really wanted to be in a residential college so that I could meet Australians and have a community feeling. I listed IH forth on my list of 7 and was very upset when I heard I had gotten IH. There were very few Australians in IH and it was very hard for me to make friends there. I am really disappointed I did not get to interact with more Australians. Some people in my program liked living in IH but I hated it. I would not recommend listing IH on your list at all. The three colleges I listed above IH were Queens, Trinity and Newman, I only found out half way through the semester that you can only get into those residential colleges if you have above a 3.8 even at Wellesley. I was really mad they didn't tell me that beforhand and that is why I got my fourth choice, IH. So I would suggest asking Butler what all the GPA requirements are so you don't get stuck in a residential college you never wanted to be in. Also IH is about a 20 minute walk from campus which was somewhat annoying. <br /><br />

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Butler plans social events that are fun. We went to a footie game which was awesome and to Phillip island to see penguins !

* 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

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Australia is SOOO expensive. Even though it is a good exchange rate everything is very expensive. At least $20 to eat out and 3.70 for a two hour tram ticket! Alcohol is also really expensive.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Live in one of the Australian residential colleges !

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Australia and America
Course Department:
Instructor: Fay Anderson
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was very interesting and not a lot of work. However my tutor, Fay Anderson, who was also the lecturer was a hard grader. I really liked her though and would recommend her. I met a lot of nice australians in my tutorial. I would highly recommend this class.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Holocaust and Genocide
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Comments: This class was extremely frustrating. The entire staff was unorganized and the information while interesting was not well presented. I would strongly recommend picking a different class.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Australian Politics
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: This class was difficult because I lacked background information on the subject and at times it was a bit dry because it was basic information but overall I am really glad I took it. I felt like I understood Australia better because of it.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Contesting Australia
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Comments: Since I also took Australia and America there was some overlap and I thought that Australia and America highlighted the issues better. This class was easy but not that great.
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