Amazing city, but would do it differently! January 18, 2024

By A student (Neurobiology, Neurosciences, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/19/2023 to 11/24/2023 with

IFSA: Sydney - University of Sydney

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It was very worthwhile. I learned that I wish I went abroad with no Middlebury students because I loved everyone but the Middlebury people! I also learned budgeting skills and how to be alone very far away from my family. I feel like I matured a ton.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The university was very difficult and strict with policies unlike Middlebury. There are no accomodations for students unless doctor's note and pre-approved home university accomodations already exist.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	I loved Michelle who was my program director in Sydney. She planned a ton of activities and was a great resource.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I did not love the random assignment of rooms and living in an apartment with boys
* Food:	Very good, no meal plans though
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Hard to meet Australians
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Very easy access to medical assistance and helpful resources for insurance. Everyone who needed care founfd it very easily.
* Safety:	Very safe, even in the dark everywhere you go
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No UNSW is an easier program that allows students to travel and explore Australia more. The course load is easier at UNSW because they split up your time with one intense shorter class and then a longer 3 course load. University of Sydney is in the city farther from the beaches which is difficult for accessing the best parts of Sydney! It is also a more difficult program known to be more rigorous which is a bummer for studying abroad when you want to see the place you're living in, especially when peers are taking wine tasting courses in Italy.

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?	Roughly 200, if not more
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Plan a budget before you go and plan how much you want to spend on travel overall rather than when you get there

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?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Planned activities and events The resources they provided for common issues/questions The people
* What could be improved?	Living closer to the ocean Going to an easier school Budgeting
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	USyd is really challenging and not personal to the students at all. There are also a ton of international students

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 Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Perception, Cognition, Intelligence
Course Department:	Psychology
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:	Very challenging course with a 25% fail rate. Took a ton of work outside of class and 6 different professors taught the course in various styles. One paper and one final test worth 50% of your grade.
Credit Transfer Issues: