My experience was amazing, and I attribute none of that to my program. Past Review

By (Anthropology and Psychology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/12/2019 to 06/23/2019 with

IFSA: Sydney - University of Sydney

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself. It was certainly worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes I took were sub-optimal, but the program's academic advising was adequate.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program was awful at handling interpersonal conflicts within apartments. Throughout my semester, I, and my other apartment-mates, experienced harassment from one of our suite mates. To say the situation was mishandled would be a gross understatement. I'd be happy to elaborate further in person.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I gave two stars because the apartment itself was nice. Everything else about my living arrangement was awful.

* Food:

Irrelevent, they did not really provide us with 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? No

See previous responses.

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? I don't know.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to buy food in bulk and book flights in advance.

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

  • International Students
* 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?
  • The trips during orientation
* What could be improved?
  • Their handling of interpersonal conflicts
  • Their transparency throughout conflict
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That IFSA participants have a reputation for being kind of difficult. I wish I had opted out of IFSA's housing and been more independent from the program.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Anthropology of Body

Course Department: Anthropology
Instructor: Terry Woronov
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: