Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Experience of a Lifetime Past Review

By (University of Maryland - College Park) - abroad from 12/31/2013 to 04/24/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a great deal about Australian culture as well as history (I took an Australian history class). I feel much more independent, able to adapt to different situations with greater ease, and I gained friends across the world as well as right next door New Jersey. I recommend everyone to study abroad as it was an experience I'll never forget.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I personally lived in the on-campus dorms. I loved it. Made the transition in a new country extremely easy and they were the nicest dorms I have ever been in!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I made life-long friends.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt safe during my entire stay.

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)

One could definitely live on a student's budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $80 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan out traveling to different parts of your host country or internationally in the beginning of the semester. That way you can budget out the weekly cost more efficiently.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • excursions
  • traveling throughout Australia
  • pre-semester activities in Sydney
* What could be improved?
  • more on-campus get togethers with the program
  • n/a
  • n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I realized before how strong of a connection I would make with the locals of Australia so I could have expected how difficult it would be to say goodbye!

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.