A Fun and Fulfilling Semester Abroad! Past Review
By Sammy Attia (Colby College) - abroad from 07/04/2017 to 11/18/2017 with
IFSA: Melbourne - University of Melbourne
I learned a lot about being independent and stepping out of my comfort zone. It was extremely worthwhile and I would recommend to anyone thinking of studying in Australia!
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. |
Not as intense as the U.S. education system, but really depends on how much work you are willing to put in. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Enjoyed living in an apartment (unilodge) but would have preferred to live with local students |
| * Food: |
Love the Queen Victoria market! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I joined the University of Melbourne Wake-boarding club and Mountaineering Club which allowed me to make friends from Australia all over the world. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Fortunately did not apply to me |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe walking around the city alone at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I loved my experience but would want to try something new |
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) |
Melbourne is pretty expensive |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably around $120 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook your own meals and make your own coffee |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I know a lot more about Melbourne and the exciting things to do in Melbourne and around Australia that I didn't know before. I wish I did more research prior to going abroad so I could have figured out what I really wanted to do before I got there. |
