Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

University of Sydney: Hard Work, but Great Places to VIsit Past Review

By (Fordham University) - abroad from 02/19/2012 to 07/01/2012 with

Arcadia: Sydney - University of Sydney

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was an amazing experience. Classes and studying proved to be rigorous and shows how American Universities may be falling behind. Getting a chance to travel around Australia and New Zealand was incredible.

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.

Classes are very rigorous with very a different grading system than in the US.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administration was helpful with answering questions and signing up for classes.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was good at the Sydney University Village, although it was mostly international students living there.

* 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)

It is very expensive to live in Sydney.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't eat out often, but even simple groceries will add up in Sydney.

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

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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 excursions they had planned for us were fun.
  • Made it an easy transition into the dorms providing us with bedding and cookware.
  • Orientation was informative.
* What could be improved?
  • Seems like they fell through on some of the plans/excursions they had for us.
  • Better explanation of expenses is needed.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think a better list of what we were being charged for would have been helpful. And I'm not sure if this was the programs fault or more Sydney University, but even if we were approved for classes, there may still be clashes between them all. The classes that you are approved for are by no means what you actually end up with. Had to switch my classes five times before it actually worked out.