Australia: Awesome New Experiences Past Review
By Kathryn M (Communication and Media Studies., Trinity University) for
Arcadia: Wollongong - University of Wollongong
I loved study abroad, it was a great break from monotony. It was awesome to be able to travel to many other countries that I otherwise might not have been able to, like Fiji and New Zealand, ad to participate in activities I never thought I would like skydiving, sand boarding, and surfing. I also made some amazing friends. I wish I could go back!
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. |
Workload was manageable. The grading system was very different, but Arcadia provided a grading scale that made it easier to convert to a U.S. style grade. Teaching methods were a little more independent than Trinity. Teachers at UOW hold your hand less than at Trinity. UOW is a much larger university than Trinity, with more students, so classes, especially first year classes, were a little easier. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program staff was very helpful and accessible. They planned trips and dinners, and answered any questions we had. They were local so they of course had extensive knowledge of the host country. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Our program put on many great trips like to the rainforest, Stradbroke Island and Tasmania. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Wollongong. I would not walk around alone at night, but that is the case in most cities. I was only sick once but there was a health clinic right on campus. |
| 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? | Australia is more expensive in general than the U.S. Meals are usually not below $20. I ate breakfast and dinner every night at my dorm, but lunch might have cost around $85 a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You have to pay for internet monthly. The train costs money as well. Everything is just a little bit more expensive than you would expect. You will always want to buy a lot of things while you are there so budget for that. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* 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? | Australia actually does get cold if you are in the South! Make sure if you study abroad in their spring (U.S. fall) you bring enough warm clothes. |
