Once you go Oz, you'll definitely go back. Past Review

By (Human Resources Management and Services., Bentley University) - abroad from 01/07/2013 to 04/20/2013 with

Bond University: Gold Coast - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about myself and about the world. I gained a new perspective on life and living. I made some awesome friends who I'll be keeping in touch with. I learned that it's okay to just pick up and leave for 4 months and that nothing changes when you get back!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Challenging, worthwhile, excellent professors, and I learned (and retained) so much.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I liked living in a single room in the Blocks. It's nice to have some alone time after being with people all the time!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It's what you make of it; you have to try! The culture won't integrate itself with you, you have to put in the effort.

* 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)

Budget your meal plan and you won't end up eating Domino's and Subway during the last few weeks. Be mindful that everything you buy abroad, you have to take back with you in your suitcases. Don't be one of the people who buys an extra suitcase!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $5,500
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget your meal plan and you won't end up eating Domino's and Subway during the last few weeks. Be mindful that everything you buy abroad, you have to take back with you in your suitcases. Don't be one of the people who buys an extra suitcase! Spend some money out at bars and clubs, but take advantage of the free drinks. Don't drink every night or every other night. There is SO much to do on the Gold Coast so do your best to find out what those other things are.

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
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • freedom
  • traveling
  • time to reflect
* What could be improved?
  • less Americans with the "let's party 24/7" attitude
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There are a lot of Americans at Bond, and the people you surround yourself with have a lot of influence on your experience. It's fairly clear which ones have the "let's party" attitude and which ones are there for other reasons. Figure out ahead of time what you want to get from going abroad, and make sure you do what you need to do to get that.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Negotiation

Course Department: Management
Instructor: George Hrivnak
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Phenomenal course. Challenging in the best way possible. Everything I learned from this class is applicable to real life, which is very important to me. I participated as much as possible and definitely found out that the more you participate, the better the experience. It's a very hands on, interactive class with an integrated group project and some other out-of-class assignments. Favorite class I've ever taken.
Credit Transfer Issues: The course translated back very easily, no issues with that.