Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Experience Australia Between The Sea and The Mountains May 13, 2022

By (Psychology, The College of William and Mary) - abroad from 07/13/2019 to 12/10/2019 with

Arcadia: Wollongong - University of Wollongong

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad was one of the best parts of my college career. It gave me the opportunity to learn how to be a self-advocate, independent, and explore a different culture away from home while still having structure in my life.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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

Arcadia gave a comprehensive orientation and continued to follow-up and create interesting activities throughout my time in Wollongong.

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? Create a budget before going and allocate day to day expenses as well as bigger travel/experience expenses.

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
* 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 people I met
  • The excursions
  • The nature/adventure elements
* What could be improved?
  • The food options for vegetarians
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how cold Australia can get! I also wish I had a better understanding of how homesickness/culture shock was going to hit. I think I believed since I had been overseas plenty of times before, it wouldn't happen to me.

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.