Making the Most of My Time Down Under Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/18/2015 to 06/28/2015 with

IFSA: Sydney - University of Sydney

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My time abroad was most definitely a worthwhile experience and a semester that is unparalleled to any that I ever imagined I would have during college. My semester abroad led me to have to learn how best to balance a rigorous academic schedule, living independently, as well as my desire to travel and explore all that Sydney and Australia had to offer.

Review Photos

IFSA-Butler: Sydney - University of Sydney 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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I chose to live in a student accommodation with a kitchen therefore I shopped and cooked for myself everyday. My program did not supply any food and I was not on a meal plan.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no experience with the healthcare system, however my program adviser gave us a complete list of the nearest doctors and medical services.

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I tried my best to cook dinner and not go out to restaurants for dinner (except for special occasions), in order to save money for traveling.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Weekend trip
  • People
  • Sydney!
* What could be improved?
  • The schedule of the program events throughout the semester. At times it seemed like we went weeks without having a program activity, while other weeks we had two weeks close together.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? While the program is there to assist you during your time abroad, you are still very much expected to live and figure things out independently.