Australia was the best six months of my life! Past Review

By (Marketing., Providence College) for

Arcadia: Brisbane - Queensland University of Technology

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My study abroad experience was defiantly worthwhile and I would not change anything about it. I gained a better understanding of myself and what I want out of life. I had an amazing time being in a different country learning about its people and culture while being able to see a part of the world i may have never been able to see in my life. I met amazing people from all over the world and the United States and made great friends that I will have for a lifetime. Studying abroad made me want to continue to travel and see the world and continue to meet new people from all different backgrounds.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

students were expected to do far more learning independently and if the work was not done then a poor grade was given.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program in my host country was a life-support for all of my needs. Arcadia provided easily contactable people that are more than willing to go out of their way to make sure your time abroad is the best that it could be. Arcadia's office was located very close to the student housing and did everything they could to make the transition easy and comfortable. They provided linens upon move and even picked me up from the airport upon my arrival to my host city. The 4 day orientation upon arriving in Australia was excellent and provided important and necessary information that made living in Australia for the following 6 months the easiest it could be. As for the institution that I studied at while abroad the experience was a straightforward one. The expectations and the requirements from international students such as myself were clearly expressed by the institution's administration and they too provided important information to help the transition to living in Australia. The program size was irrelevant because I was the only student to attend this program from my home institution.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing experience was a good one. The living accomidations of apartment style rooms where each individual had their own room with 2 shared bathrooms, kitchen, living room and balcony between 5 total people were very nice. There was plenty of living space with 4 other individuals and the building was located across the street from one of two of my host institution's campuses. The building was located in a very safe neighborhood with multiple restaurants, grocery store, pharmacy, and liquor store all within a 5 minute walk which was very convenient. Also with a 5 minute walk was the bus stop where buses to downtown Brisbane departed every 10 minutes and only took 5 minutes to get there. The building was designed for students only so the huge majority of people living there are students all under 25 years of age from all different nationalities so there is no shortage of people to hang out with and it was very easy to make friends in this setting because everyone is open and willing to include you.

* Food:

must cook for yourself however there were many restaurants and other food establishments within 5 minutes of where i lived.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were about 10 total trips offered by my program and i took part in 2 and they were well arranged and an amazing time.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

My host city was overall a very safe city, there was no problems walking at night and most of the city's area's were very well lit and police and other security was never too far away if help was needed.

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? Unexpected expenses would be home items that may need to be purchased in order to live such as pots and pans and silverware.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

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  • Local Students
  • International Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? IF you are looking for a place that is completely different than PC but you can easily transition into the culture than this program is for you.