Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Best Four Months Abroad Past Review

By (Pre-physical therapy, University of Dayton) - abroad from 01/06/2015 to 04/30/2015 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much and it was definitely worthwhile. I learned how to be on my own and manage things without my parents. I learned a lot about a different country and how things are different culturally, educationally, and socially. I gained a lot of new insight about the world and how different people are all over.

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.

The school and teachers were great! They really worked well with abroad students to make sure you had the best experience being and traveling in Australia and educationally. I learned a lot and loved seeing the way education worked in other countries. The courses were challenging but manageable even for abroad students. TEAN also worked well with my home university to make sure my transcripts were delivered in a timely manner.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I loved our program leaders in Australia! They were so helpful, nice, and informative and were usually available to talk whenever you needed them. They held coffee dates and meetings every once in awhile to make sure everything was going okay with everyone.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The living arrangements were amazing. I lived beach front in a beautiful apartment with a great view of the ocean. It was close to so much shopping, restaurants, and night life. The bus ride to campus was short and sweet.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Being integrated into the culture was so nice and smooth because they speak English and the Australians are some of the nicest people you will ever meet!

* 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? $100

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
* 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the people
  • the location
  • the places I traveled/orientation
* What could be improved?
  • the diversity of students from different US schools
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have had a better understanding of where to live and how each living option was more in depth. I wish I had heard more first hand experiences from other students.

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.