I found a new place to feel at home! Past Review
By Dalyla McGee (Emory University) - abroad from 07/15/2015 to 11/24/2015 with
IFSA: Sydney - University of Sydney
I learned a ton about myself and identity. I grew while abroad and would recommend that everyone take a chance and go abroad!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I found my choice of classes allowed the class size to remain relatively small which I prefferred. Classes weren't easy, but not too difficult that I wasn't allowed to enjoy being abroad! I thoroughly enjoyed my classroom experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
IFSA Butler Staff were amazing! They definitely made us all comfortable and welcomed with open arms. Fiona in particularly stood out as an awesome (and talented in comedy) woman. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in Urbanest which was quite nice and placed in a great location. It was nice coming home to a flat of Americans to avoid home sickness, at the same time I often wanted to get away from so many Americans |
| * Food: |
Australian food is quite similar to American, but we didnt have a meal plan, so it was pretty good! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since I was able to connect with a church connected to my home church, I felt well integrated. However, not so sure how much immersion I would have gotten otherwise. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I only had to go to the doctor once, and I was surprised by how easy the process was. If coming from the US, Im sure you will feel similarly! |
| * Safety: |
It felt very very safe! I never was worried about walking around at night, and the low crime rates attest to this. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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 expensive. However, I saved a bit for the trip and budgeted each week. If you plan on trip as well, prepare financially! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget, save, and cook at home |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Save more money to go on trips! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
