Life Changing Past Review

By (Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island) - abroad from 05/23/2015 to 07/11/2015 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Sydney, Australia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
While on this trip I learned a lot about my major aswell as myself. I learned that I am capable of living on my own even if it is on the other side of the world. I also learned a lot about my major that you can't learn in a classroom. I can honestly say that CAPA and Sydney changed who I am for the better. I am incredible grateful for this experience.

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.

My overall experience in the city of Sydney through the CAPA program was amazing. While abroad I had an internship that CAPA found. This internship was picture perfect for my major. I learned so much and made so many friends that I never thought I would have. The only thing I wish this program did differently was their touring of the city. While in Sydney there were CAPA sponsored trips to the Blue Mountains, a Wildlife park, and even a food crawl around Newtown. Although these were fun, I do wish there were more trips. I found that as the weeks went on I became more and more overwhelmed with what I wanted to do/see. The trip as a whole was incredible and I highly recommend anyone who is looking to study abroad to look at CAPA first.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The onsite CAPA administration was extremely helpful and open to any questions. They made sure to be available in case of any problems that might arise especially in the first couple weeks. The only problem was how far their office was to the place we stayed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing that was provided was called Urbanest. This was a very clean and comfortable place to live in. My biggest problem with them was their security because of how safe Sydney is. With that being said I found it very inconvenient and unnecessary to have to use my access card on 5 doors just to get into my room.

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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
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?
  • My Internship
  • The friends I made
  • Sydneys transportation system
* What could be improved?
  • Urbanest
  • Sponsored Trips
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how much fun and what a great educational experience it was because I would have done an entire semester.