Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Four Months of my Life Past Review

By (Marketing., Bentley University) - abroad from 01/07/2013 to 04/21/2013 with

Bond University: Gold Coast - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that traveling to different places makes you appreciate different cultures as well as your own. It also humbles you because you are the foreigner and you need to rely on locals to help you.

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.

* 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

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)

Australia is unbelievably expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? approx. $250
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save at least $10,000 if you want to have a good time.

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?
  • People I met
  • Traveling
  • Weather
* What could be improved?
  • Program Orientation in new Country
  • Preparation - give more realistic advice
  • Meal Plan - give students more money - almost every student ran out of dining hall money after the first 2 months
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How extremely expensive Australia is. I wish someone told me to try to save $10,000 because that is probably how much I spent and I would have been more savvy with my money. Also, I wish they told me the different housing options off campus, such as specific locations and pictures/options for those locations. Also, I wish they gave us a more realistic budget in terms of trips.

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.