Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I'll be back! Past Review

By (Music, University of Leeds) - abroad from 07/28/2015 to 06/30/2015 with

Griffith University: Brisbane - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad is brilliant! You make lots of friends and meet people from all over the world. It gives you the opportunity to travel and explore your own independence whilst you learn more towards you subject.

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.

Good teaching, especially at GUQC, but the course was less demanding academically, with less specifications and marks awarded for academic prose and referencing. Also, for a humanities subject in the UK it is unusual to be awarded full marks, whereas the marking system at Griffith seemed more lax, as full marks were quite common across several subject areas.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Slow to process course information, with especially poor communication between the main University and the Queensland Conservatorium, which was a particular at the beginning of the semester, trying to coordinate available modules. Overall though, very friendly and helpful staff and short face-to-face meetings resolved issues quickly.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My flat was great and I made really good friends; the accommodation provided comfortable and suitable space to cook, eat, sleep, wash and socialise. The only drawback was that there was no proper oven, just a combo convection microwave.

* Food:

Aussie food is nice! It is expensive though, but shopping at markets help to reduce the cost and there is a free taxi service from the Nathan campus each Saturday to Rocklea market.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Well integrated due to my friendships with Australians and through choosing to be part of local activities and events,in addition to spending some time travelling to other areas.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The healthcare was good, but I fractured my ankle and received little support from Griffith University, with no help given regarding the fact that I lived on the second floor, nor any other advice.

* Safety:

I felt very safe throughout my time in Australia, both in the accommodation and around campus, but also around Brisbane city during the day and night.

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 expensive. Food, transport and clothing all costs more than in the UK.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • Travelling!
  • Friends :)
  • Great teachers.
* What could be improved?
  • Integration of exchange students at the Queensland Conservatorium
  • A real oven!
  • More day trips organised by Uni groups.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it would be difficult to integrate into the Music programme, because the progression of performers is so integrated and links from the first to the last year in terms of ensembles, that it is hard to fit in. Furthermore, music students spend most time alone in practice rooms, so it is hard to make friends, especially as most of them lived at home rather than in University accommodation.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.