"Studying Abroad in Australia Changed My Life Forever" Past Review

By (Elementary Education, Anderson University) for

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Sydney, Australia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
yes! It was very worthwhile. I gained independence, learned how to tackle public transportation and most importantly made a career change. I am now going to pursue working with children with Autism because of my internship.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were easy. They were taught by an American teacher. I had class with all of my peers that studied abroad with me from my school. It was just like being in an American classroom. I wish I would have been able to study under an Australian professor or be mixed with students other than the ones that I went with. It was not really a true experience of studying in a foreign country.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

CAPA was a wonderful program. They helped us with everything we needed and supported us along the way.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We lived in the Meriton Apartments. They were amazing! We were also given meal cards for the local grocery store.

* Food:

Because of the meal cards, we cooked a lot. However, there are great restaurants at Darling Harbour.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Site seeing was by far the best. We would explore Sydney and find all kinds of crazy fun things. The best was to explore outside..away from the city.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Australia is very safe. I never felt endangered. No one was sick or injured over the stay so I am not sure about the difference in healthcare.

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? Around 100 a week. Depending on what I was buying. Some weeks I spent much more
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? A spring break trip that I took was much more expensive that I thought it would be. If you want to attend big trips, plan for them to be costly.

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

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • living arrangements
  • bus passes
  • meal cards
* What could be improved?
  • classes/teachers
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? GO! If you have any doubts erase them from your mind! Studying abroad will be the best decision you ever made! It literally changed my life forever!