Unequivocally, The Greatest 4 Months of My Life Past Review

By (Triple Major: Finance, Marketing, and Information Systems, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 08/22/2014 to 12/15/2013 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Bond University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to adapt and embrace different cultures, and I gained such a broader perspective on societal mores and attitudes from my friendships, both international and American.

Review Photos

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Bond University Photo The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Bond University Photo The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Bond University Photo The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Bond University Photo The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Gold Coast - Bond University Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Before I go any further, I would like to make a disclaimer: I only took one core class for my major at Bond. The rest of my classes were general electives that I saved knowing I would be going abroad. I would suggest that other students do the same, because you will want to hang out with your newfound friends as much as humanly possible. That being said, I never once felt burdened by the amount of schoolwork throughout my entire semester. If you are organized, judicious, and use your study time effectively then you will have as much time as you want to adventure, surf, hang out with friends, or relax on the beach. Upwards of 70% of Bond's student body is comprised of study abroad students so the curriculum is definitely molded for us.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Every teacher that I had was easily accessible and extremely helpful. The administration was also very accommodating with moving finals around to fit our travel schedules- as long as you gave them ample notice. Also, I suffered an injury while I was in Australia to my hand and the disability services was tremendously accommodating, and my teachers were totally understanding. They allowed me to type the written portion of my finals.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It does not get any more beautiful then living at the Meriton in Broadbeach. An indoor and outdoor pool/hot tub and gym at your convenience, full kitchen and silverware, spacious dining room and TV area, 2 beautiful bathrooms (one with a bathtub), a full wrap around balcony overlooking the ocean with a table, comfortable beds overlooking Jupiters Casino, need I say more... And the cherry on top: The Meriton staff will clean your floors, do your dishes, and change your towels/sheets once a week! For what you pay, there is no greater deal!

* Food:

Since I did not live on campus, I did not have a meal plan. However, there were 2 grocery stores within quick walking distance from my apartment, and prices were not overly expensive. I took full advantage of my kitchen and outdoor grill at the Meriton and taught myself how to cook a variety of foods while abroad.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

If you are a sociable person who is willing to accept and integrate into other cultures, you will have absolutely no problem meeting anyone at Bond or out in Broadbeach or Surfers Paradise.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

When I injured my finger, my TEAN advisor, Helen, was checking up on me every step of the way. She was tremendous! I really felt like I had my mom overseas with me. It was so easy to find the hospital (which was brand new and beautiful) and my travel abroad insurance covered everything. I did not have to get any vaccines before going abroad, and all of the health care systems were totally modernized.

* Safety:

I never once felt unsafe while at Bond or out with my friends.

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)

Australia is expensive compared to America, but if you are smart about your spending than you will be fine. If you don't have a meal plan like I did, make sure you cook your own food. That will save you a TON of money over time. Drinking is expensive, so if you plan on drinking while abroad make sure you are prepared to add about $50-100 a week to your budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't eat out if you don't have a meal plan! Buy groceries in bulk and cook your own food.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Aside from some differences in slang, our dialect is the same.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The Weather/Beach
  • My Friends
  • The Area that I Lived In
* What could be improved?
  • Campus Food
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I set aside more money beforehand to travel to New Zealand and Bali, Indonesia.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Adventure Tourism

Course Department:
Instructor: Rob Nash
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Best class I have ever taken! All hands on learning, no textbook, all papers and assessments were very straightforward, and the best part is you will go on 3 field trips throughout the semester. We went abseiling down a cliff, did a ropes course at the Currumbin WIldlife Center (where I got to hold koalas and play with kangaroos), and had a field day style event at a park where we had to complete a variety of team based activities. On top of everything, the professor, Rob, is one of the coolest, most down to Earth, funniest teachers I have ever had. I definitely recommend this class over any pop culture or history class for anyone who wants to TRULY experience studying abroad.
Credit Transfer Issues: