Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

SIT Australia Coral Reef and Rainforest Ecology Past Review

By (Ecology, Evolution Biology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/30/2015 to 05/14/2015 with

SIT Study Abroad: Australia - Rainforest, Reef, and Cultural Ecology

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about very new ecosystems which was really valuable as an ecologist. I enjoyed the field excursions and found myself ready to return to the rigor of my home institution afterwards.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Alcohol is very expensive in Australia. I wouldn't recommend planning on drinking too much there. Additionally, plan to travel after the program or during ISP if you want to. During the Cairns portion of the program there really isn't time.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Field excursions
  • ISP
  • Coral reef trip
* What could be improved?
  • Student housing
  • Academic rigor
  • ISP search advising
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I can't say there is really more that I wish I knew. I purposefully didn't do too much research or obsess over learning about Australia or the program before I arrived and I think that it ended up being a good thing. I was more able to absorb the experience as it was.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Reef and Rainforest Ecology
Course Department:
Instructor: Tony Cummings
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Not very challenging but interesting and engaging. Almost entirely field trips and in field learning experiences. A few not too long papers and exams were often challenging and pop quiz style. Overall I did learn a great deal.
Credit Transfer Issues: