Intern and Study Abroad Experience of a LIFETIME! Past Review

By (Business Administration and Management, Wilkes University) - abroad from 05/23/2018 to 07/07/2018 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Sydney, Australia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about the history of Australia through my academic class, as well as my adventures around Sydney. I became more independent, confident, and learned how to navigate through a city! It was 100% worth every minute and I truly have nothing negative to say about my experience. CAPA is a wonderful program and there was always a fun excursion to look forward to throughout the whole program. We participated in local events, like the Sydney Film Fest and so much more!

Review Photos

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Sydney, Australia Photo

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.

I learned more than I ever could have imagined in just a few weeks!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Wonderful staff of coordinators and professors, so helpful and communicative. Very approachable and kind!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Wonderful apartments in the center of Sydney, very new and modern.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I spent a lot of time with other CAPA students, most of them students from the US. It was a bit difficult to make Australian friends at first because of the classes being held with only CAPA students. However, at my internship I was able to integrate much more with the locals.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt very safe in Sydney.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I absolutely loved this program. Everything from the excursions included, dates and length of program, and internship experience was incredible.

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)

Food is generally expensive in Sydney, but there are also a lot of cheaper places to eat and tons of restaurants to choose from. Street vendors or bakeries were always my go-to for a cheap meal or snack.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Shop at the grocery store- ALDI is right around the corner and super cheap. Definitely eat most meals at home, or cook if you know how. Saved me a lot of money by having an early breakfast, then packing lunch to take with me. Would usually buy dinner out.

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
  • International Students
* 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
  • My academic class
  • The excurions, such as an overnight stay at the Taronga Zoo!
* What could be improved?
  • nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Australian winter's can get chilly. I wish I packed some warmer clothes!