Summer Down Under Past Review

By (Trinity University) - abroad from 06/11/2015 to 07/25/2015 with

IES Abroad: Sydney - Study Australia Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Spending my summer in Sydney, Australia studying abroad was the best decision I have ever made. As cheesy as it sounds, I cannot explain in writing how much this trip, this summer meant to me. It was one of those experiences that I will never forget for so many reasons. The friends you make abroad are unlike any other friendships you will have. You are able to bond over the most incredible experience because only they understand the journey you are on. IES gave me the summer of a lifetime and I could not be more grateful for taking the opportunity I thought would never arise. I took two classes while in Sydney, but also had time to travel on the weekends as they created a schedule for us that allowed us to explore. The teachers were great, and I am so grateful for all I learned in my classes there. Our housing was in such a great location. Only a two minute walk to the bus and a two mile run to the beach which I took advantage of quite often. This program gave us a chance to fall in love with such a magnificent city while also giving us the freedom to explore other cities as well. The program was set up so well as the program directors worked hard to create a smooth transition for us. We took a trip to the Blue Mountains, sailed the harbour by night while enjoying a welcome dinner, travelled to the Outback where we slept under the stars and hiked in the red dirt, explored Melbourne and toured the Great Ocean Road, and flew to Cairns to witness the beauty that is the Great Barrier Reef. Not only did I learn more about Australian history and business leadership from my classes, but I learned how to plan and travel on my own as well as embrace people from a different culture and learn about who they are and why they are the way they are. I fell in love with Australia and the people there and I can only hope that one day I will return. Sydney was definitely my favorite city and one I hope to call home someday, even if it's just for a few years. I usually do not like living in cities, but Sydney made me feel at home. There was the busy city life filled with busses, trains, and ferries, but then there were parks to escape to, the harbour which you never tired of, and the dozens of beaches that never ceased to amaze you with their spectacular views. Studying abroad in Sydney, Australia through IES provided me with the best summer I could have hoped for!

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make a budget ahead of time and keep track while there!

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • How well it was planned
* What could be improved?
  • Meeting and interacting with more locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How easy the whole trip was. It was definitely difficult times, but IES made it easy for us to adjust to a new life for the next 6 weeks. I was so nervous about going, but there wasn't that much to be worried about!

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.