Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Independence and growth: making a playground of Sydney. Past Review

By (Mathematics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/24/2013 to 07/01/2013 with

IFSA: Sydney - University of Sydney

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I grew in countless ways. I learned so much out of the classroom. It was 100% worthwhile.

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.

* 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)

Sydney is very expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $150 a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Alcohol is very expensive. Spend money on food instead.

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

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

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • Forming relationships
  • Trips outside of Sydney
  • Having support
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much I value independence.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Outdoor Education
Course Department: Education
Instructor: Ian Boyle
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Perfect study abroad course. Field-trips were awesome and a great way to see more of the country. I highly recommend this course to all international students.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Educational Psychology
Course Department: Education
Instructor: Richard Walker
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was challenging because I wasn't ever sure of what I was supposed to be learning. The education system in Australia is very different than in the United States and my lack of background knowledge in the system made lectures difficult to understand.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Philosophy
Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor: Various
Instruction Language: Engligh
Comments: Perfect study abroad course. I found the material interesting and different than what I was used to. If you did the readings you did well in the course. Very standard course.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Anthropology
Course Department: Anthropology
Instructor: Gaynor McDonald
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The material was pretty boring but the course was very clearly laid out. You get what you put in.
Credit Transfer Issues: